New Textbook by Murugappan (Muthu) Muthukumar Recently Published

Cambridge University Press recently published a new textbook on “Charged Macromolecules: Synthetic Biological Systems” by Wilmer D. Barrett Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering Murugappan (Muthu) Muthukumar.

Image

Charged molecules percolate all aspects of our modern lives including food, health care and water-based technologies. As a concise introduction to the physics of charged macromolecules, this book covers the basics of electrostatics as well as cutting-edge modern research developments.

Serving as a gateway to the growing field of charged macromolecules and their applications, this concept-driven book is a perfect guide for students beginning their studies in charged macromolecules, providing new opportunities for research and discovery. 

The book provides a clear and intuitive view of concepts and theory, and features appendices detailing mathematical methodology. Supported by results from real-world experiments and simulations, this book offers a vital foundation for performing experimental research. Topics include living matter and synthetic materials including polyelectrolytes, polyzwitterions, polyampholytes, proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, and DNA/RNA.

According to Regents professor Tim Lodge of University of Minnesota, “The material is tailored to beginning graduate students, and the author's style gently captures the mathematical sophistication required, while never losing sight of the underlying physics. This book represents the first comprehensive pedagogical overview of the field, and even experts can learn much from its treatment.”  

University of Zurich professor of molecular biophysics Ben Schuler adds, “This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in charged polymers, including biomolecules such as intrinsically disordered proteins and nucleic acids. A wonderful resource for bridging the gap between polymer physics and the biomolecular sciences.”  Also, according to University of Ljubljana emeritus professor of physics Rudi Podgornik, “An almost encyclopedic work on the physics of charged macromolecules, guiding the reader from concepts, theories, through different methodologies and all the way to complicated phenomenologies. An impressive tour-de-force and a must read at the intersection of soft matter and living matter communities.”