Nonequilibrium fluctuations in small systems: From physics to biology

Abstract

In this paper I am presenting an overview on several topics related to nonequilibrium fluctuations in small systems. I start with a general discussion about fluctuation theorems and applications to physical examples extracted from physics and biology: a bead in an optical trap and single molecule force experiments. Next I present a general discussion on path thermodynamics and consider distributions of work/heat fluctuations as large deviation functions. Then I address the topic of glassy dynamics from the perspective of nonequilibrium fluctuations due to small cooperatively rearranging regions. Finally, I conclude with a brief digression on future perspectives.

Invited contribution to "Advances in Chemical Physics" to appear in Vol. 137, Ed. Wiley & Sons, 81 pages + 19 PS figures