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I will present a quick (15 minutes) introduction to depletion forces (S. Asakura and F. Oosawa - J. Chem. Phys. 22,1255 (1954)). Depletion forces are entropic, attractive forces that appear between particles suspended in solutions of macromolecules. They are therefore relevant in biological systems in particular (i.e., in the crowded cellular environment) and in colloidal solutions in general. This introduction is intended for undergraduate students majoring in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or related disciplines. Only a basic knowledge of general statistical mechanics concepts, such as entropy and free energy, is required. Host: Claire White |