Article: Physics and Living State
The close interaction between physics and life sciences has led to the meaningful contribution in many areas --- fundamental mechanism and theory of brain functions, biophysical phenomenon like DNA using techniques of quantum physics. The emphasis on medical physics reflects concern with the health sector in promoting the use of radiation, radioisotopes and other advanced techniques in the diagnosis and therapy of diseases not easily amenable to conventional treatment. The main subject of 9th College was medical physics and it was discussed by Dr. M.F. Cotrall, Dr. D.T. Silvester and Dr. W. Porschen.
Physicists and Chemists have played an extremely important role in the development of modern biology. During the Sixth College, modern biology was included as a topic with a view to introduce the community of scientists to the current excitements of this field and to highlight the ever increasing role of this subject in solving human needs and curing human ailments. Prof. Dertinger introduced the largely non-biologist audience to the fundamental concepts of biology describing how a physicist looks at a living cell, cell structure and its formation in healthy and cancerous states. Dr. J. Bradbury discussed the medical use of the particle accelerators and meson facility used to treat cancer patients. Dr. R. Roberts and Dr. A.J.Bokhari jointly covered the subject of gene manipulations. Topics like gene cloning, DNA breaking,gene formation attracted many participants to initiate studies on the extremely fascinating area of scientific research. During Eighth College as well, Prof. G.A. Buehler and Prof. A.R. Faruqui discussed biophysical systems and demonstrated their applications in time resolved studies on contracting muscles on millisecond time scale.
The focus on geophysics is motivated by the need to disseminate a broad and general understanding of the structure and the dynamics of the planet we live upon and from whose resources we draw our sustenance. The study of tectonic movements is also of great practical importance in the systematic and scientific exploitation of natural resources. Geophysics presents a number of aspects of interest within the context of INSC. Our knowledge of the interior of the earth is gained by the systematic application of well established bodies of classical physics to the particular problems of the properties of earth. During the First College, Prof. A.H. Cook spoke at length on the interior of the earth, properties of the planetary materials, movements at the surface of the earth and the applications of geophysics. Professor Cook concluded by saying:
"In looking at the many important direct applications of geophysics, we should not loose sight of the way in which a knowledge of geophysics enables man to understand the world in which he lives, even though he may be unable to influence it, and so to satisfy, and at the same time to feed his curiosity about the condition of the world below and around us".
Dynamic earth, its structure, thermal and chemical evolution, plate tectonic theory, earthquake mechanism and prediction induced seismicity etc. were the topics discussed in the later colleges and we had Professor Willmore, T. Spohn, R.D. Adams and Ota Kulhankle on our faculty.
For the exploitation of natural resources, it requires cooperation between scientists of different disciplines and engineers. Physics has reached an exciting level, from which further progress is possible and able to contribute to many aspects of physical and geophysical knowledge and techniques essential for exploitation of natural resources. We had the honour of having Sir George Deacon on our faculty to discuss many aspects of oceans and ocean waves. Dr. Charnock was the speaker on this topic in the 2nd College.
One of the major concerns of the modern day science and technology is the protection and preservation of the environment. It is a global concern, in both industrialised and developing countries. Work relating to atmospheric phenomenon, climatic systems and the climatic change and the adverse environmental impacts caused by the production and consumption of conventional fuels and waste disposal were the topics discussed at various sessions. Our speakers include Dr. Aad Van Ulden, Ishaq Mirza, A.M. Khan and K.R. Smith.