Physics of Life Summer School 2025

8-11 September, 2025
​Durham University

Organising Committee:
​Dr Karis Baker and Professor Mark Leake (Physics of Life Network)
Dr Alex Probert and Professor Ehmke Pohl (Durham BSI)
Dr Veronica Biga, Dr Laura Wiggins, Dr Oleg Dobrokhotov and Dr Jack Shepherd (ECR committee)

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 (IoP BPG), and British Biophysical Society (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 by approx. 4pm) 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. 

Day 1	Monday 8 September
From 9.30	​Registration with Tea and Coffee ​(PCL054, Palatine Centre, Durham University)
10.30-10.45	Opening Address: Welcome to the Physics of Life Introduction to the event with schedule overview
10.45-11.45	Interactive Ice Breakers led by Ehmke Pohl (University of Durham)
11.45-12.35	Flash Talks (Part 1) – 4 mins each, 2 slides max. (14 Flashes)
12.35-13.30	Lunch
13.30-14.30	Flash Talks (Part 2) - 4 mins each, 2 slides max. (15 Flashes)
14.30-16.00	Choice of workshop: ​Workshop one: Crafting Scientific Narratives – Abstract Writing & Communication Led by Mark Wallace (KCL), Mark Leake (University of York) Workshop Two: Inside the Funder's Mind: Tips on Grants, Fellowships and Making Your Application Stand Out Led by Atlanta Cook (University of Edinburgh) and Sarah Lloyd (Wellcome)
16.00-18.00	Poster Showcase (Groups 1 and 2)  ​
19.00	Dinner at Hatfield Servery
From 19.30	Informal Social: Hatfield College Bar
Day 2	Tuesday 9 September
9.00-11.00	Session 1: Computational Frontiers in Biological Physics Daniel Cole (Newcastle University): 'Physics based molecular modelling and computer-aided drug design' Michelle Sahai (Brunel University) 'Binding Matters: AI-Driven Predictive Insights for Drug Discovery'
11.00-11.30	Networking Refreshments
11.30-12.00	Career Journey Showcase: Talk 2: Adam Wollman (Newcastle University) 'Behind the Bench – Building a Career in Interdisciplinary Science'
12.00-13.00	Lunch
13.00-15.00	Session 2: Patterns of Life – Differentiation & Development Ana Hernandez (University of Cambridge)  'Shaping the embryo: Measuring and manipulating the mechanical properties of chicken embryos' Veronica Biga (University of Manchester)  'Oscillatory gene expression dynamics important for neural development'
15.00-15.30	Refreshment Break
15.30-17.30	Session 3: Molecular Machines – Physics at the Nanoscale​ David Rueda (Imperial) 'Coming Full Circle: How DNA Topology Shapes Cas9 Specificity' Seamus Holden (Warwick) ' 'How do you build a wall? Investigating the mechanistic principles of bacterial cell wall remodelling using single molecule tracking and super-resolution microscopy'
18.45	Group Photo​
19.00	Conference Dinner at Castle College
Day 3​	Wednesday 10 September
9.00-11.00	Session 4: Engineering Life – Synthetic Biology & Programmable Matter Jonathan Heddle (University of Durham) ' ​'Programming Dynamism into artificial biological nanomachines' Aline Miller (University of Manchester) 'From Evolution to Innovation: Designing Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine'
11.00-11.30	Refreshments
11.30-13.00	Workshop:  'Working across disciplines: No Such Thing as a Stupid Question' Led by Mark Leake (University of York) and Rivka Isaacson (KCL)
13.00-14.00	​​Lunch
14.00-14.30	Career Journey Showcase:  Jamieson Howard (University of York) ​'Beyond the Bench – Building a Career in Interdisciplinary Science'
14.30-16.30	Session 5: Physics Meets Medicine – Health & Disease Ioanna Mela (University of Cambridge) ' 'DNA Nanotech for Precision Drug Delivery' Laurence Wilson (University of York) ' ​AI & Holography – Tracking Microbial Worlds in 3D'
16.30	Free time with optional sign up to football, running group, cathedral visit ​
19.00	Servery Dinner at Castle College ​
20.00	Social activity TBC
Day 4	Thursday 11 September
9.00-11.00	Session 6: Seeing Life in Motion – Imaging Across Scales Kirti Prakash (TU Delft)  'Super-resolution microscopy for structural biology' Kurt Anderson (Francis Crick Institute)
11.00-11.30	Refreshment Break
11.30-12.30	Rivka Isaacson (KCL) ​'Science Showcase! Boost your scientific impact; engaging with media, press and public'
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30-15.30	Session 9: Forces Within – Mechanobiology, Nuclear Mechanics & DNA Repair  Amy Beedle (KCL) 'The reversibility of nuclear mechanotransduction' Chris Toseland (University of Sheffield) 'Nuclear mechanobiology during DNA damage and repair'
15.30 ​	Summer School Close
16.00	End

​Who should attend?

The school is aimed at early career scientists  – particularly PhD 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]. 

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 (meet at PCL054 on day one), 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 an early-career researcher (PhD/post doc) 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 can 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 which is now open.
• Deadline: This opportunity has now passed and recipients have been notified. 

Event Funding and Registration Details

The Summer School is generously supported by the Physics of Life Network via Wellcome funding, with additional sponsorship from the IOP Biological Physics Group, the British Biophysical Society (BBS), and Durham University's BSI.

​This support allows us to heavily subsidise each attendee’s place, keeping the registration fee low while providing a rich programme tailored to early career researchers. The registration packages and final registration cost will be available shortly. 

Registration Packages
Package 1 – £140

• 3 nights’ accommodation at Hatfield College
  (Check-in: Monday 8 September | Check-out: Thursday 11 September)
• Full English breakfasts
• Daily lunches and servery hot dinners
• All social activities
• 3-course Summer School dinner at Durham Castle

Package 2 – £190

• Includes everything in Package 1
• Plus one additional night (Sunday 7 September) with breakfast
  (Recommended for participants travelling from further afield; available to all)

Important Information

• Capacity is strictly limited to 65 attendees
• Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis
• Registration will close once all places are filled or on 10 August (whichever comes first)
• A waitlist will be implemented if demand exceeds availability

Arrival and Attendance
All attendees are expected to arrive for registration on Monday 8 September and remain until the final session on Thursday 11 September. Meet at the Palatine Centre, PCL054 on day one at Durham University's Science site.  Address: The Palatine Centre, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.

Abstracts
All attendees are expected to contribute to the networking activities on Day 1 by presenting either a 4 minute flash talk or a poster. To prepare for registration, please have a short abstract (maximum 200 words) ready for submission.