Physics of Life Summer School 2019:
​From Cells to Tissues and Organisms

15-19 July 2019
Durham Business School, Durham University

Summer School Overview

The Physics of Life network 2 is an EPSRC/BBSRC national UK network aimed to bridge research between physicists and biologists. One of the network’s objectives is to train and equip the next generation of scientists for this interdisciplinary field through network organised summer schools. The network will hold its second summer school in Durham from 15-19 July titled “From Cells to Tissues and Organisms”. The academic interdisciplinary summer school program will consist of invited guest lectures, networking and poster sessions (day 1; 15 July) and 7 mini courses (2 hour lecture + 1 hour interactive session) (days 2-5; 16-19 July). Social activities, including a conference dinner (day 2; 16 July) will also take place. The audience is expected to comprise of early career researchers (postgraduate students, up to early career research scientists) from different science backgrounds (Physics, Chemistry and Biology). Its state of the art research coverage is designed to provide a valuable introduction to biophysical research for junior researchers.
with a view of the most recent and exciting research across a broad range of topics and scales. 

Programme

The summer school will run from 15-19 July (starting 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 attendees to immerse in state-of-the-art expertise in an intensive environment, giving a broad and deep cross-disciplinary framework from within which to approach the Physics of Life. Attendees will also present their work through poster presentations. A variety of lectures and interactive tutorials will provide focus on interdisciplinary career development and broadening skills. Social events (including a conference dinner) will allow participants and course deliverers to network and interact in an informal setting. 

Durham Cathedral, Durham City

Day 1	​​Monday 15 July
10.30	​Registration with Tea and Coffee
11.00-12.00	Welcome Lecture: Martin Cann, Durham University 'The regulation of biological light harvesting'
12.00-13.00	Mark Leake, University of York 'Single-molecule biophysics: an integrated approach from the test tube, computer and into live cells'
13.00-13.45	Lunch
13.45-14.45	Lorna Dougan, University of Leeds, ‘Hierarchical biomechanics: can we exploit the mechanical properties of single proteins to create novel biomaterials?’​
14.45-16.00	Durham BSI Guest Lecture ​Steve Cobb, Durham University, 'Introduction to Durham BSI' Margarita Staykova, Durham University, 'Mechanics of membrane adhesion contacts' Kislon Voitchovsky, Durham University 'Mesoscale organisation and dynamics of ions at biointerfaces: consequences for the properties of membranes'
16.00-17.00	Networking session (led by Martin Cann)
17.15-19.00	​Poster Session with drinks reception (Martin Cann, Lorna Dougan and Mark Leake)
19.30	​​Dinner at Collingwood
Day 2	​Tuesday 16 July ​
​9.00-11.00	​Session 1: Josef Käs, University of Liepzig, 'Physics of Cancer'
11.00-11.30	Refreshment break
11.30-12.30	Session 1: discussion/activity with Josef Käs, University of Liepzig
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30-15.30	​Session 2: Wilson Poon, University of Edinburgh,'The Physics of Death: dissipative self disassembly at all scales'
15.30-16.00	Refreshment Break
16.00-17.00	Session 2: discussion/activity with Wilson Poon, University of Edinburgh
18.45	Summer school photo
19.00	​Summer School Dinner, 3 course sit down meal in the Fusion Restaurant at Durham Business School ​
Day 3 ​	Wednesday 17 July
9.00-11.00​	Session 3: Cyril Rauch, University of Nottingham, 'Physics of animal health: On the growth and form of hooves (and nails); How physics enables pathological conditions to be viewed as normal?' ​
11.00-11.30	Refreshment Break​
11.30-12.30	​Session 3: Discussion/activity with Cyril Rauch, University of Nottingham
12.30-13.00	​Lunch​
13.00-14.00	Guest Lecture: Tom McLeish FRS, University of York, 'The Poetry and Music of Science; comparing creativity in Science and Art'
14.00-15.30	Session 4: Lecture: Michelle Peckham, University of Leeds, 'Super-resolution imaging, and how to find patterns in images'
15.30-16.00	Refreshment break ​
16.00-17.30	​​Session 4: discussion/activity with Michelle Peckham, University of Leeds ​​​
18.30	Evening meal at Collingwood
Day 4	Thursday 18 July
9.00-11.00	Session 5: Jenny Southgate, University of York, ​'A feat of biological design: Evolved from cells to function as a urinary barrier'​
11.00-11.30​	​Refreshment Break​
11.30-12.30	Session 5: discussion and activity with Jenny Southgate
12.30-13.30	Lunch​
13.30-15.30	​​Session 6: Mike Cates, University of Cambridge, ​'Phase separation in active and living matter'
15.30-16.00	​Refreshment Break
16.00-17.00	Session 6: discussion and activity with Mike Cates
18.30	Dinner with evening Social Activity (Durham City)
Day 5	Friday 19 July
9-11.00	Session 7: David Weinkove and Chris Saunter, Durham University, Magnitude Biosciences, 'Mixing physics, biology and worms: a recipe for business'
11.00-11.30	Refreshment Break
11.30-12.30	Session 7: discussion/activity with David Weinkove and Chris Saunter
12.15-13.00	​Lunch​
13.00	Summer school close

​Who should attend?

The School is aimed at early career scientists  – particularly postgraduates (Masters to 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 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]. 

Venue and accommodation

The summer school will take place at Durham University. Lectures will be held at Durham Business School, accommodation will be at nearby Stephenson College. Standard single college rooms with en-suites and continental breakfast will be provided. For location information, see Maps and directions. 

Contact

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

Registration

The summer school is heavily subsidised by the Network and Durham BSI 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 so that we can endeavor to meet them.
There are two registration packages available:
Package 1 £100: 
Includes accommodation check in: Monday 15 July, check out: Friday 19 July with continental breakfast, lunches, dinners (including the summer school 3 course dinner) and all social activities.  
Package 2 £130: *includes additional night stay, ideal for those for those who will be traveling long distances.
Includes accommodation check in: Sunday 14 July, check out: Friday 19 July with continental breakfast, lunches, dinners (including the summer school 3 course dinner) and all social activities.  

Additional information:

• Arrival: Please note all attendees are expected to arrive for registration on Monday 15 July. 
• ​Registration deadline: Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. There are 50 places available. Registration will close as soon as capacity is met. 
• Cancellation policy: In the event that you would need to cancel your place on the Summer school, full refunds can be only be made up to June 1st 2019. 
• Participation requirements: All registrants are asked to bring a poster to be displayed in poster sessions during the summer school, see details below. The abstract and poster submission can be completed after you have paid and registered but must be submitted below by June 25 2019. ​​

Poster and Abstract Submission

The poster session offers an excellent way for participants, speakers and visiting academics to discover the range of expertise and interests amongst other meeting delegates, to spot potential collaborators and topics for discussion later in the meeting. Each participant is therefore required to bring a poster, summarising any aspects of individual research (including interests or results). It is  acceptable to bring an existing poster.  Poster sizes can be up to standard A0 (118.9 x 841 mm / 46.8 x 33.1 inches) in portrait or landscape.  

For new starters or those uncertain about what to produce, the following guidelines may be useful:
Since you may not have relevant research information to display, smaller posters are fine (A3 as the minimum size). Such posters could include:

• Abstract of your research interests/topic (100-200 words)
• Information about specific research questions that you intend/would like to tackle in the context of existing literature. Information on why you chose to attend this summer school can also be included.
• Description of research ambitions, future direction and potential importance.  

The poster session will see attendees split into two groups. On day 1, (Monday 15  July) group 1 will present and on day 2 (Tuesday 16 July) group 2 will present. During each session an academic group (formed of speakers and organisers) will view the posters and award a prize for the best poster from each group. Once registration has closed you will be notified which day you have been allocated to present on. Any questions, please email: [email protected].