Robert Phillips Books

Physical Biology of the Cell is a biophysics textbook that explores how the basic tools and insights of physics and mathematics can illuminate the study of molecular and cell biology. Drawing on key examples and seminal experiments from cell biology, the book demonstrates how quantitative models can help refine our understanding of existing biological data and also be used to make useful predictions. The book blends traditional models in cell biology with the quantitative approach typical in physics, in order to introduce the reader to both the possibilities and boundaries of the emerging field of physical biology. While teaching physical model building in cell biology through a practical, case-study approach, the text explores how quantitative modeling can be used to build a more profound, intuitive understanding of cell biology.

The story follows James Lawson, a contemporary entrepreneur who views life primarily through the lens of wealth accumulation. His initial skepticism about climate change shifts dramatically when he discovers profitable opportunities within the environmental crisis. This transformation challenges his values and prompts a deeper exploration of the intersection between business and sustainability.

Exploring systemic flaws in the criminal justice system, the book highlights the exploitation of inmates coerced into labor under harsh conditions, likening it to modern-day slavery. It examines how goods produced by these inmates are marketed, contributing to the financialization of prisons and their stock exchange listings. The narrative raises critical concerns about the conflicts of interest among legal professionals and lawmakers who profit from incarceration, potentially leading to the unjust imprisonment of innocent individuals.

This book provides the first detailed, yet accessible, ethnographic case study looking at changes in LGBT activism in Singapore.