Pattern Formation and Morphogenesis

10-11 September 2015
The Ridge, University of Sheffield
Workshop Chair: Jamie Hobbs and Andrew Fleming, University of Sheffield.

This meeting is the sixth of a series of focussed workshops which will consider several themes of the EPSRC NetworkPlus in ‘Understanding the Physics of Life’. These themes were developed through intensive discussion of participants during the network’s three earlier plenary conference events.

Here we will focus on specific challenges at the physical/life sciences interface relating to the role of physics in understanding morphogenesis and pattern formation in biological systems. The development of complex patterns is ubiquitous in biology, from the shapes formed during the development of living organisms to the interactions between multiple organisms to form biofilms through to flocks of birds. The meeting will include a series of short talks from leading biologists, biophysicists and mathematicians to “set the scene” for intensive discussion into developing novel and exciting lines of interfacial research in this area.

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Purpose

Our focussed workshop will provide a mechanism to nucleate new collaborative partnerships that will lead to outstanding science and the award of grants by research councils. Discussion sessions will be a very important element of the event, and it is hoped that all attendees will come ready to engage fully in that element of the programme. Our aim by the close of the meeting is to have seeded potential new collaborations and novel lines of cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in this area.

Who should attend?

We invite participation by academics (including early- and mid-career research fellows), clinical researchers and industrial scientists in the UK who are interested in the central goal of generating new collaborative research interactions at the physical/life sciences interface focussed on challenging questions pertaining to pattern formation and morphogenesis. The main business of these meetings will be to provide opportunities for researchers to talk and interact through, for example, brief flash presentations, speed-dating exercises, poster presentations, facilitated discussions and other activities.

Confirmed speakers and their talk titles

Prof Ruth Baker, Oxford University
‘Experimental and Modelling Investigation of Monolayer Development with Clustering’
Dr Olivier Hamant, RDP/LJC – ENS Lyon
‘Uncoupling pattern formation from morphogenesis with mechanical signals’
Prof Martin Howard, John Innes Centre
‘Intracellular patterning in fission yeast to control cell size’
Prof Rebecca Hoyle, Southampton University
‘A quick tour of the maths of patterns’
Prof Nick Monk, University of Sheffield
‘Oscillators and switches in cell fate decision networks’
Dr Andrew Oates, The Francis Crick Institute

Programme

Day 1

12.30	Registration, check-in and Lunch
13.30	Welcome and Introduction – Jamie Hobbs
13.40	TALK 1: Dr Andrew Oates, The Francis Crick Institute.
14.20	TALK 2: ‘Experimental and Modelling Investigation of Monolayer Development with Clustering’ Prof Ruth Baker, Oxford University.
14.50	Coffee break
15.10	Discussion sessions – important issues in ‘pattern formation and morphogenesis’
16.00	Discussions report back
16.20	Flash presentations – approx. 12 presenters
16.55	Presenters put up A3 sheet highlighting their area/issues/capabilities/questions/problems ready for discussion
17.25	Flash presentations – approx. 12 presenters
18.00	Presenters put up A3 sheet highlighting their area/issues/capabilities/questions/problems ready for discussion
18.30	Dinner and BBQ
20.00	TALK 3: ‘Uncoupling pattern formation from morphogenesis with mechanical signals’ Dr Olivier Hamant, RDP/LJC – ENS Lyon.
20.40	Cash bar available to guests

Day 2

9.15	TALK 4: ‘Oscillators and switches in cell fate decision networks’ Prof Nick Monk, University of Sheffield.
9.45	TALK 5: ‘A quick tour of the maths of patterns’ Prof Rebecca Hoyle, Southampton University.
10.15	Coffee Break
10.35	Discussion sessions – funding focuses and challenges
11.25	Discussions report back
11.45	TALK 6: ‘Intracellular patterning in fission yeast to control cell size’ Prof Martin Howard, John Innes Centre
12.15	Final thoughts
12.30	Lunch

Registration

This workshop is heavily subsidised by the Network, and the full registration fee of only £95 includes lunch on both days and dinner, bed and breakfast on 10 September. Registration for this workshop has now closed.

The conference is due to start at 12.30pm on 10 September, and close after lunch on 11 September between 13:30-14:00pm.
If you have any further questions about this event, please do not hesitate to contact Christina Metcalfe, Network Coordinator at: c.metcalfe@sheffield.ac.uk

Directions

Please see map for full directions on accessing The Ridge.