Physics of Life Summer School 2018:
​New Approaches to Biomolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function

16-20 July 2018
Grey College, Durham University

Summer School Overview

This summer school will present state-of-the art computational, theoretical and experimental techniques used to explore how biomolecular dynamics depend on molecular structure and connects to and determines biological function. This is a rapidly expanding field which combines many different aspects of biology and physics. Aimed at early-career researchers from either life-science of physical-science background, it will assist in effective working in the interdisciplinary world that connects them. 

The summer school will cover a broad range of topics within this theme, including: 

Programme

The summer school will run from 16-20 July (starting late Monday morning and finishing on Friday afternoon) and will provide an intensive scientific programme encompassing the latest in biomolecular experiment and theory. The school will provide the opportunity for researchers to immerse themselves in state-of-the-art expertise in an intensive environment, giving them a broad and deep cross-disciplinary framework from within which to approach the Physics of Life. Opportunity will also be given for attendees to present their work through poster and flash presentations. A variety of lectures and interactive tutorials will provide focus on interdisciplinary career development and broadening skills. Social events (including a conference dinner at Durham Castle) will allow partcipants and course deliverers to network and interact in an informal setting. 
St Catherine’s College, Oxford University
Durham City, The Old Bailey

Provisional Programme

Day 1
​​Monday 16 July
10.30-11.00
​Registration with Tea and Coffee 
11.00-11.15
Welcome from summer school organisers
11.15-12.00
Welcome Lecture: 'Crazy ​Interdisciplinarity: Modern science in communication with the Medieval'  Tom McLeish, University of York
12.00-13.30
Networking session, Chaired by Tom McLeish
13.30-14.00
​Lunch
14.00-15.30
​Session 1: 'Dissecting the structural and mechanistic basis of epigenetic memory' Martin Howard, John Innes Centre
15.30-15.45
​Refreshment Break
15.45-17.15
​Session 1: 'Dissecting the structural and mechanistic basis of epigenetic memory' Martin Howard, John Innes Centre
17.15-18.30
Poster Session (Group 1) with drinks reception
​18.30
​Dinner at Collingwood
Day 2
​Tuesday 17 July 
​9.00-9.45 
Guest Lecture: ​‘Is a cow a sphere?’ Martin Cann, Durham University
9.45-10.45
Networking Session, ​Chaired by Martin Cann, Durham University
10.45-11.00
​Refreshment break 
11.00-12.00
Guest Lecture: 'Microbiophysics: using biophysics to understand microbiology at a molecular level', Olwyn Byron, University of Glasgow
12.00-13.00
​Lunch
13.00-14.30
​Session 2: 'Multi-scale Modelling', Gerhard Gompper, Forschungszentrum Jülich
14.30-14.45
Refreshment Break
14.45-16.15
​Session 2: 'Multi-scale Modelling', Gerhard Gompper, Forschungszentrum Jülich
16.15-17.30
Poster Session (Group 2) with drinks reception
​19.00
​Summer School Dinner at The Castle, The Great Hall
Day 3 ​
​Wednesday 18 July
9.00-9.45
An Interdisciplinary Challenge: The Eye, John Girkin, Durham University  ​
10.00-11.00
​​Session 3:  'NMR: investigating protein structure, dynamics and conformational landscapes,' Anastasia Zhuravleva, University of Leeds
​11.00-11.15
​Refreshment Break
11.15-13.15
​Session 3:  'NMR: investigating protein structure, dynamics and conformational landscapes', Anastasia Zhuravleva, University of Leeds
​13.15-14.00
​Lunch
​14.00-15.30
​​Session 4: 'X-ray methods', Ehmke Pohl (Durham University), David Hall and Katherine McAuley (Diamond Light Source)
15.30-15.45
​​Refreshment break
15.45-17.15
Session 4: 'X-ray methods', Ehmke Pohl (Durham University), David Hall and Katherine McAuley (Diamond Light Source)
18.00
​Evening meal at Grey
​Day 4
​Thursday 19 July
9-10.30
​​Session 5: 'Statistical physics and the evolution of proteins and DNA'
Bhavin Khatri, Francis Crick Institute/Imperial College London
10.30-10.45
​​Refreshment Break
10.45-12.15
Session 5: 'Statistical physics and the evolution of proteins and DNA'
Bhavin Khatri, Francis Crick Institute/Imperial College London
12.15-13.30
​Lunch
13.30-15.00
​Session 6: 'High resolution microscopies' Rob Pal, Durham University
15.00-15.15
​Refreshment Break
15.15-16.45
​Session 6: 'High resolution microscopies' Rob Pal, Durham University
18.30
Evening Social Activity, Dinner served at Wiff Waff, Durham City
Day 5
Friday 20 July
9-10.30
Session 7: 'Protein Dynamics' Sarah Harris, University of Leeds
10.30-10.45
​Refreshment Break
10.45-12.15
​Session 7: 'Protein Dynamics' Sarah Harris, University of Leeds
12.15-12.45
​Lunch
12.45-13.45
An Interdisciplinary Challenge: The Eye John Girkin, Durham University  ​​
14.00
​Workshop Close from summer school organisers

​Who should attend?

The School is aimed at UK-based early stage researchers – particularly PhD students and postdoctoral workers. Participants are expected to hold a basic knowledge of Biology and/or Physics. 

European and International attendees are also welcome on this summer 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]. 

Travel Bursaries

Two BBS bursaries have been made available to help with travel to this event. These are available to help with travel for young BBS members (postgraduate, or first three years postdoc) who are attending this summer school. For detail on how to apply for one of these bursaries please contact [email protected]. ​

Venue and accommodation

The summer school will take place at Durham University. Lectures will be held at the nearby science site and accommodation will be at Grey College. Standard single college rooms with either shared bathroom facilities or en-suites will be provided. For loaction information, see Maps and directions. 

Contact

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

Registration

The summer school is heavily subsidised by the Network for young researchers in the UK, and the registration fee of £100 includes accommodation and all meals (16-20 July).  For those who will be traveling long distances to the conference, an additional nights stay on Sunday 15 July (before the conference starts on Monday) is also available for a fee of £135.  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 so that we can endeavor to meet them. 

​Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 
​
Registration: registration for this event has now closed as this event has reached capacity. If you are still interested in attending this summer school and would like to join the waiting list, please email [email protected]. If you are a Durham researcher interested in attending, please email [email protected].  

Funded by:                                                                                                 Managed bY: