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 (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.
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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

Please note some of our session speakers are still TBC. 
Day 1 – Monday 8 September: Welcome, Networking & Skill-Building
The event kicks off with registration, informal networking, and an interactive ice-breaker session led by Ehmke Pohl (Durham University). Participants will then take part in two rounds of Flash Talks (by sign-up), where they will give brief overviews of their research.
In the afternoon, there will be a Bootcamp Block featuring skills-based workshops led by Mark Wallace (KCL) and Mark Leake (University of York) plus a funders perspective session, followed by a Poster Session (by sign-up) with a wine reception. The day concludes with a servery dinner at Hatfield College and an informal evening social at Hatfield college bar.
Day 2 – Tuesday 9 September: Tools, Tissues & Transcription
The scientific programme begins with Daniel Cole (Newcastle University) presenting on computational tools in biophysics in the first session, "Computing Life." This is followed by a Career Spotlight, where Jamieson Howard (University of York) shares valuable career insights from the perspective of a Research Officer.
The afternoon includes sessions on development and differentiation (Session 2) and nanobiophysics (Session 3: Molecular Machines), with speakers to be confirmed. The day wraps up with a formal conference dinner at Durham Castle.
Day 3 – Wednesday 10 September: Living Systems & Emerging Tech
The day starts with Session 4: Building Biology, featuring Jonathan Heddle (Durham University) on programmable biological matter and Aline Miller (University of Manchester) on hydrogels in biomedical applications.
In Session 5: Physics Meets Medicine, Ioanna Mela (University of Cambridge) discusses DNA nanotechnology, while Laurence Wilson (University of York) explores AI-based microbial imaging. A group photo and refreshments will follow, with optional social activities including a walking tour, football, running club, and escape rooms. After dinner at Hatfield College, another social activity will be organised, or participants can join the bar.
Day 4 – Thursday 11 September: Seeing & Shaping Cells
The final day covers advanced imaging and mechanobiology. Session 6 focuses on visualizing life across scales (speakers TBC), followed by a science communication session led by Rivka Isaacson (KCL), which will focus on engaging with the media and the public. The event concludes with Session 7: Forces in the Nucleus, featuring talks by Amy Beedle (KCL) on nuclear mechanics and Chris Toseland (University of Warwick) on the physical processes shaping genome function and repair.

​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]. 

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. 
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Durham University, Palatine Centre
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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 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 (once this opens) to guarantee your space. 
👉 Apply here: https://forms.gle/EopafkbY9VCWiCTeA

​Stay Informed: Registration Opens Mid-June

Registration for the Physics of Life Summer School 2025 is expected to open by mid-June. To ensure you don’t miss your chance to register, you can: You can also subscribe to our monthly email updates by completing the contact form found here.

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 exceptionally low while providing a rich programme tailored to early career researchers.

Registration Packages
Package 1 – £110
  • 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 – £160
  • 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
  • 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.

Abstracts
All attendees are expected to contribute to the networking activities on Day 1 by presenting either a flash talk (with up to 2 slides) or a poster. To prepare for registration, please have a short abstract (maximum 250 words) ready for submission.

Please book responsibly
Due to the high level of subsidy, we ask that you only register if you are fully committed to attending. If you reserve a place and are unable to attend, you may prevent another researcher from accessing this opportunity. We are unable to issue refunds unless we are able to fill your space from our waitlist. 

Contact

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

Funded by:                                                                                                 Managed bY: