Book excerpt: This book presents the fundamentals of molecular biophysics, and highlights the connection between molecules and biological phenomena, making it an important text across a variety of science disciplines. The topics covered in the book include: Phase transitions that occur in biosystems (protein crystallisation, globule-coil transition etc) Liquid crystallinity as an example of the delicate range of partially ordered phases found with biological molecules How molecules move and propel themselves at the cellular level The general features of self-assembly with examples from proteins The phase behaviour of DNA The physical toolbox presented within this text will form a basis for students to enter into a wide range of pure and applied bioengineering fields in medical, food and pharmaceutical areas.