Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences

From thermodynamics to molecular interactions, Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, Third Edition, explains how the principles of physical chemistry apply to the processes of life. Offering worked examples and multiple case studies throughout, students are supported to master even the most complex concepts and how they apply in biological contexts, while acquiring key problem-solving and mathematical skills.

Directly addressing the main challenges faced by students, this book's pedagogically rich approach provides an accessible and holistic guide to the subject. The extended scope of this new edition includes the essential techniques that can be used to characterize biological systems, including biochemical spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and spectrometry.

Peter Atkins, Emeritus Professor, University of Oxford
Julio de Paula, Professor of Chemistry, Lewis and Clark College
George Ratcliffe, Tutor in Biochemistry; Professor of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford
Mark Wormald, Senior Tutor, University of Oxford

Peter Atkins is a fellow of Lincoln College in the University of Oxford and emeritus professor of physical chemistry. He is the author of over seventy books for students and a general audience. His texts are market leaders around the globe. A frequent lecturer in the United States and throughout the world, he has held visiting professorships in France, Israel, Japan, China, Russia, the USA, and New Zealand. He was the founding chairman of the Committee on Chemistry Education of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and was a member of IUPAC's Physical and Biophysical Chemistry Division. Peter was the 2016 recipient of the American Chemical Society's Grady-Stack Award for the communication of chemistry.

R. George Ratcliffe is an Emeritus Fellow of New College in the University of Oxford and Emeritus Professor of Plant Sciences. He was formerly Head of the Department of Plant Sciences, and throughout his career he was extensively involved in the teaching of undergraduate chemists, biologists, and biochemists. He has received awards for excellence in teaching from the University of Oxford, and he co-authored a successful student text with Mark Wormald. He has long-standing interests in NMR spectroscopy, mitochondrial metabolism, metabolic flux analysis, and metabolic modelling

Mark Wormald is Senior Tutor and Tutorial Fellow in Biochemistry and Chemistry at Corpus Christi College in the University of Oxford, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Biochemistry, and a University Research Lecturer in the Oxford Glycobiology Institute. He has received a Teaching Excellence Award and a Teaching Project Award from the University, and has twice been shortlisted for the Most Acclaimed Lecturer in the Medical Sciences Division in the Oxford Student Union Teaching Awards. He has previously co-authored a successful undergraduate biochemistry textbook with George Ratcliffe. His research interests are in the solution structure and dynamics of oligosaccharides and related compounds, glycopeptides, and glycoproteins.

Julio de Paula is a Professor of Chemistry, Lewis & Clark College. A native of Brazil, he received a B.A. degree in chemistry from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Yale University. His research activities encompass the areas of molecular spectroscopy, biophysical chemistry, and nanoscience. He has taught courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, instrumental analysis, and writing. Julio was a recipient of the 2020 STAR Award, given by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.