Multiscale mechanics in Biology

Multi-scale mechanics in biology: current challenges and potential solutions for healthcare applications

15-16 May 2018
Weetwood Hall, Leeds
Workshop Chairs:
Lorna Dougan (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leeds)
Steve Smye (NIHR/Kings College London)
Marlene Mengoni (Engineering, Leeds)
Michelle Peckham (Biology, Leeds)
David Head (Computing, Leeds)

Workshop Overview

Multiscale mechanics of biological systems has emerged as an exciting area of research and provides enormous opportunities for innovative multidisciplinary basic research and technological advancement. Current experimental and theoretical tools for exploring the mechanical properties of biological soft matter, including proteins, polymers, membranes, fibrous networks, cells and tissues will be discussed. The possibilities of understanding biological systems which span multiple scales, both spatial and temporal, and the challenges involved in bringing this knowledge together into a single multi scale understanding will also be explored. We will learn about success stories where knowledge of the physics at each length scale has resulted in novel approaches to solving clinical challenges. During the workshop we will discuss some of the current challenges in this area and explore opportunities for collaborative projects to meet those needs. A goal of the workshop is to formulate a specific plan for a follow-on Physics of Life sandpit.

Who should attend?

We aim to bring together physical scientists, biologists, engineers and medical disciplines to discuss state-of-the-art in the emerging fields of multi- scale mechanics of biophysics, soft matter physics and network materials.

Programme

Topics for discussion will include:

Understanding mechanics in biological systems: the state of the art, successes and difficulties. From single proteins, to cells to tissues: do we understand mechanics in biology?
Translational of mechanical properties across length scales: how can we tie together spatial and temporal information across multiple length scales?
Translation to the clinic: novel examples of basic research through to clinical application. What are the potential future applications?
Developing potential collaborative funding bids: What are the synergies of interests and expertise? What are the next challenges that we can solve?

Speakers include:
Laurent Blanchoin (Grenoble)
Gijsje Koenderink (AMOLF)
Cornelis Storm (Eindhoven)
Robert Ariens (Leeds)
Daniel Frankel (Newcastle)
Ewa Paluch (UCL/Cambridge)
Vasileios Vavourakis (UCL)
Ruth Wilcox (Leeds)

Provisional Programme
It is anticipated that this workshop will start with lunch at 12.00 with talks at 13.00 on 15 May and finish at 14.00 on 16 May. A conference dinner (included in the registration will take place on 15 May at 19.00).

Day 1	15 May
12.00	Registration and Lunch
13.00	Welcome and Introduction
Session 1	Chaired by David Head
13.15-14.00	Cornelis Storm (Eindhoven) 'Strength and Numbers: Modeling the mechanical properties of hierarchical biomaterials'
14.00-14.30	Vasileios Vavourakis (University of Cyprus/UCL) 'The mechanical role of the tumour—host tissue microstructure and microvasculature in interstitial fluid flow and drug delivery'
14.30-15.00	Refreshment Break
Session 2	Chaired by Marlene Mengoni
15.00-15.30	Robert Ariens (Leeds) 'Blood clots are covered by a film that protects against infection and cell loss'
15.30-16.00	Ruth Wilcox (Leeds) 'The mechanics of musculoskeletal tissues and interventions...and the rocky road to clinical translation'
16.00-16.30	Discussion session, split into 3 groups: Group 1: Understanding mechanics in biological systems Group 2: Translational of mechanical properties across length scales Group 3: Translation to the clinic
16.30-17.15	Group Feedback
17.15-18.30	Poster Session and drinks
19.00	Conference dinner for attendees and speakers (Weetwood Hall)
Day 2	16 May
Session 3	Chaired by Michelle Peckham
9.00-9.45	Laurent Blanchoin (Grenoble) 'Directed Actin Cytoskeleton Self Organization, Contractility and Motility'
9.45-1015	Daniel Frankel (Newcastle) 'The mechanics of solid cancerous tumours - it's role in invasion, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance'
10.15-10.30	Refreshment break
Session 4	Chaired by Lorna Dougan
10.30-11.15	Gijsje Koenderink (AMOLF) 'Cell and tissue mechanics: a journey across scales'
11.15-11.45	Ewa Paluch (UCL/University of Cambridge) 'Cell morphogenesis across scales, from molecular processes to cell surface mechanics'
11.45-12.45	Discussion: Future directions
12.45-13.00	Concluding remarks
13.00-14.00	Lunch and networking

Registration

A registration fee of £40 will be charged for this event. Places are allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
Registration deadline: 01 May 2018.
* The registration fees includes all refreshments, lunches and a conference dinner on night of 15 May.
Please note: This registration fee excludes accommodation which must be booked separately. For attendees requiring overnight accommodation on the night of the 15 May, Weetwood Hall can be contacted directly. A set number of bedrooms have been reserved and negotiated at a rate of £70. Please reference this workshop when making any booking to get the negotiated rate.

To register for this workshop please first complete the online registration form below and then make payment to ensure your place is secured via telephone: 0191 334 6912, quoting: 'Multi-scale mechanics in Biology 15-16 May'. For payment queries, please contact k.h.baker@dur.ac.uk.

Registration for this event has now closed.

Directions

The workshop will take place at Weetwood Hall in Leeds, Otley Rd, Leeds LS16 5PS.
For directions, please follow this link: www.weetwood.co.uk/location.html