Physics of Life Summer School 2025

8-11 September, 2025
​Durham University

Funded by the Wellcome Trust: 

Summer School Overview

The Physics of Life Summer School now in its fifth edition, is an immersive, interdisciplinary program designed for early-career researchers (PhDs up to postdocs) who are interested in the powerful role physics plays in understanding and solving biological problems. Sponsored by the Wellcome Trust and held in partnership with Durham University's Biological Sciences Institute (BSI), the Institute of Physics Biological Physics Group (BPG), and Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), the program offers a unique opportunity to explore how fundamental physical principles apply across biological systems—from molecules to organisms to disease.

Durham University, Castle College

Program Highlights:

• Cutting-Edge Research Talks
  Learn from leading experts in biological physics through a series of engaging lectures that cover current research topics, including computational modelling, advanced imaging techniques, synthetic biology, and applications in health and disease.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  Work alongside peers from diverse academic backgrounds. The program fosters collaboration and encourages innovative approaches to tackling real-world biological challenges.
• Career Development & Science Communication
  Gain valuable insights into scientific career pathways within academia, industry, and beyond. Dedicated sessions on science communication and professional development ensure you're equipped with the tools to succeed in interdisciplinary research careers.
• Networking Opportunities
  Build lasting connections through structured networking events, including a formal conference dinner that encourages informal interactions between participants, faculty, and guest speakers.


• This summer school not only deepens scientific understanding but also prepares participants to become future leaders at the interface of physics and biology. Whether you're drawn to fundamental research or translational applications, the Physics of Life Summer School will empower you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to make a meaningful impact.​

Programme

The Summer school will run from 8-11 September 2025 (starting Monday morning at 10 am and finishing on Thursday early eve) and will provide an intensive and stimulating scientific programme. Social events (including a conference dinner) and plenty of networking breaks will allow participants and course deliverers to network, meet and interact in an informal setting. 

Provisional Programme

Day 1	Monday 8 September
10.00	​Registration with Tea and Coffee
10.30-11.00	Opening Address: Welcome to the Physics of Life Introduction to the event, schedule overview, and thematic focu
11.15-12.00	Icebreaker Networking Session
121.30-12.30	Session 1: Flash Talks – Rapid Insights Across the Life-Physics Spectrum (Part 1) – 3 mins each, 2 slides max. (15 Flashes)
12.30-14.30	Session 1: Flash Talks (Part 2) - 3 mins each, 2 slides max. (15 Flashes)
14.30-16.00	Workshop: Crafting Scientific Narratives – Abstract Writing & Communication Led by Mark Wallace, Mark Leake, Jack Shepherd, Atlanta Cook
16.00-18.00	Poster Showcase & Community Reception (Wine Included)
19.00	Dinner — Hatfield Servery
20.00	Informal Social — Hatfield College Bar (open on request)
Value	​
Day 2	Tuesday 9 September
9.00-11.00	Computational Frontiers in Biological Physics xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Daniel Cole (Newcastle): Physics-based molecular modelling and computer-aided drug design ​09:00 – 11:00 | Session 1: Computing Life – Simulations in Biological Physics Sarah Harris (Leeds): Simulating the Cell – Tools & Insights Daniel Cole (Newcastle): Physics-based molecular modelling and computer-aided drug design ​
11.00-11.30	Networking Refreshments ​
11.30-12.30	Career Talk: Beyond the Bench – Building a Career in Interdisciplinary Science
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30-15.30	Session 2: Patterns of Life – Differentiation & Development Zena Hadjivasiliou (Crick): Physics of Growth, Form & Evolution Xiong Lab: Developmental Mechanics – Experiment Meets Theory
15.30-16.00	Refreshment Break
16.00-17.00	Career Talk: Atlanta Cook?
18.45	Group Photo​
19.00	Conference Dinner at Castle College
​	Value
Value	​
Value	Value
Day 3	Wednesday 10 September
9.00-11.00	Session 5: Engineering Life – Synthetic Biology & Programmable Matter Jonathan Heddle: Programmable Biological Matter Aileen Miller (Manchester): Biomedical Hydrogels with Engineering Applications 09:00 – 11:00 | Session 4: Building Biology – Synthetic Matter & Biotech Frontiers Prof. Jonathan Heddle: Towards Programmable Biological Matter Aline Miller (Manchester): Engineering Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
11.00-11.30	Refreshments
11.30-13.00	Workshop: Science Without Silos – An Open Forum for All Questions 11:00 – 12:30 | Charlotte Dodson: There’s No Such Thing as a Stupid Question Open-floor Q&A to demystify common challenges and concerns in research. ​ Charlotte Dodson
13.00-14.00	​​Lunch
14.00-16.00	Session 5: Physics Meets Medicine – Health & Disease Ioanna Mela (Cambridge): DNA Nanotech for Precision Drug Delivery Laurence Wilson: AI & Holography – Tracking Microbial Worlds in 3D
16.00	Social activities - ​Walking tour, football, escape room, running group (optional sign-up)
19.00	Dinner — Hatfield Servery
20.30​	Ghost Walk – Spooky Science Social
16.00-17.00	Session 6: Seeing Life in Motion – Imaging Across Scales Mark Leake: From Molecules to Mechanisms – Advanced Imaging in Action Gail McConnell (Strathclyde): Meso-Scale Imaging to Map Cellular Worlds
11.00-11.30	Refreshment Break
11.30-12.30	Science Showcase! Boost your scientific impact; engaging with media, press and public Rivka Isaacson
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30-15.30	Session 9: Forces Within – Mechanobiology, Nuclear Mechanics & DNA Repair  ​Forces in the Nucleus – Mechanobiology & Genome Stability Amy Beedle (KCL): Nuclear Mechanics and the Physics of DNA Damage Chris Toseland: 'Nuclear mechanobiology during DNA damage and repair'
15.30	Summer School Close

​Who should attend?

The school is aimed at early career scientists  – particularly postgrad students and post doctorates. Participants are expected to hold a basic knowledge of Biology and/or Physics. 

European and International attendees are welcome to attend this winter school. The closest airport to Durham is Newcastle International (approximately 40 minutes from Durham by train or taxi). For information relating to travel, please email [email protected]. 

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Venue and accommodation

The summer school will take place at Durham University. Lectures and sessions will be held on the science site at Durham University within the Palatine Centre, accommodation will be at nearby Hatfield College (10-15 minute walk). Standard single college rooms with en-suites and full English breakfast will be provided. Check in is from 2pm and check out from 10am. For location information, see Maps and directions. 

Durham University, Palatine Centre

Durham University, Hatfield College

Wellcome Travel Bursaries 

Are you a student or early-career researcher from a developing or underdeveloped country, interested in the intersection of physics, biology, and life sciences? We are excited to offer five bursaries of £500 each, generously sponsored by Wellcome, to assist with international travel costs for attendees from eligible countries.

Key Information:

•  Visa Support:
  We provide official visa support letters to accepted international participants who require one for UK entry.
• Eligibility:
  Open to applicants from all global regions. For bursary consideration, eligible countries are defined according to the Wellcome Trust’s classification of Low- and Middle-Income Countries:
  https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/prepare-to-apply/low-and-middle-income-countries
• Wellcome Bursaries:
  These five £500 travel bursaries are awarded competitively and are intended to help cover travel expenses for participants from eligible countries.
  
• Applications:
  
• We welcome applications to this bursary scheme.
• Deadline: 15 July 2025
  Successful applicants will automatically receive a place at the summer school — no separate registration is required. However, if you wish to attend the summer school regardless of the bursary outcome, we recommend registering separately to guarantee your space. When reveiwing applications we will not take into accouunt regsitartion. 
  

👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/EopafkbY9VCWiCTeA

Registration

The Summer school is heavily subsidised by the Physics of Life Network through Wellcome Funding, this means the registration fee is kept at the very minimum. It thus represents exceptionally good value for money. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any dietary or access requirements. This school has a capacity of 65 attendees and places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Registration packages available:
Package 1 £110: 
Includes 3 nights accommodation check in: Monday 8 September, check out: Thursday 11 September with full English breakfast, lunches, dinners (including the summer school 3 course dinner).   
Package 2 £160:
Same as package 1 but with an additional nights stay on Sunday 7 September (with full English breakfast). This option has been provided to help participants who may be travelling from further afield but is an option available to all participants. 
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Additional information:

• Arrival: Please note all attendees are expected to arrive for registration on Monday 8 September and stay until the final session on Thursday 11 September. 
• ​Registration deadline: Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. There are 65 places available. Registration will close as soon as capacity is met. A wait list will be implemented if there is extra demand. 
• Cancellation policy: In the event that you would need to cancel your place on the winter school, full refunds cannot be guaranteed - this will depend on the cancellation notice given and whether your place can be filled from the available waiting list.​ ​

Contact

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Karis Baker, Network Manager at: [email protected].