On the evolution of applied mathematics

The recent trend in the application of mathematics to biological sciences is discussed in historical perspective. It is suggested that this new development should be regarded as a natural evolution of applied mathematics in the expansion of its scope. The mathematical concepts and methods to be used are not expected to be substantially different from those used in traditional applied mathematics. For illustration, we sketch an application of the kinetic theory of the study of dissipative systems to the study of the structure and function of protein molecules. The traditional concepts and methods of statistical physics can be successfully applied to yield predictions for comparison with empirical data.