The Future of Optical Techniques in Biology

12 September 2018
University of Nottingham, Trent Building, Senate Chamber

Workshop Chairs:
Claire Friel, School of Life Science, University of Nottingham.
Amanda Wright, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham.

Workshop Sponsors: Nikon, Laser 2000, Physik Instrumente, Photonlines, Photonic Solutions, Hamamatsu with;

Workshop Overview

This workshop will focus on the use and development of optical techniques beyond traditional microscopy. Bringing together physicists and biologists, linked by the use of cutting edge optical techniques in their research, this meeting provides a forum to discuss future possibilities for optical techniques in measurement and manipulation of biological systems. Emphasis will be on minimally-invasive optical approaches where artificial sample perturbation is kept to a minimum. We intend that the workshop will initiate and develop conversations and collaborations that will both inform instrument and technique development and bring new methods to bear on existing biological problems. The key question will be ‘what is the future for optical techniques in biology’?

Who should attend?

We aim to promote communication between physical scientists, who work to develop optical techniques and instrumentation, and biologists, who could apply these techniques to their systems and questions.

Programme

Topics for discussion will include:

What is the future for optical techniques in biology? Particularly in the development of our ability to measure and manipulate on the nanoscale.
How can we measure force or manipulate biological systems without using attachment to unnatural substrates?
Can we use spectroscopic techniques, beyond fluorescence, at the single molecule level?

Confirmed Speakers include:
Kurt Anderson (Francis Crick Institute)
Oliver Castell (Cardiff University)
Maria Dienerowitz (Universitätsklinikum Jena)
Claire Friel (University of Nottingham)
Neil Kad (University of Kent)
Philipp Kukura (Oxford)
Brian Patton (University of Strathclyde)
Erik Schaeffer (University of Tuebingen)

Provisional Programme

Day 1	12 September
9.30	Arrival and Registration
10.00	Welcome
10.15	Claire Friel (University of Nottingham) 'Can advances in microscopy improve our understanding of microtubule dynamics?'
10.45	Erik Schaeffer (University of Tuebingen) 'Novel optical tweezers probes: how kinesin motors get to the microtubule end' Sponsored by the Biochemical Society
11.15	Flash Talks from selected poster presenters
11.30	Refreshment Break
12.00	Maria Dienerowitz (Universitätsklinikum Jena) 'From interbacterial forces to ATP synthase rotation: optical tools to measure biological processes in real time' sponsored by IoP Optical Group
12.30	Oliver Castell (Cardiff University) 'Understanding membrane protein interactions, organisation and function with single molecule imaging'
13.00	Lunch
13.30	Poster Session
14.30	Neil Kad (University of Kent) 'The use of DNA tightropes in understanding DNA repair'
15.00	Brian Patton (University of Strathclyde) 'Blinging up your scope: nanodiamond probes for biological systems'
15.30	Refreshment Break
16.00	Kurt Anderson (Francis Crick Institute) 'Imaging molecular dynamics in mouse models of disease
16.30	Philipp Kukura (Oxford) ' Weighing single molecules with light'
17.00	Workshop Close
19.00	Workshop Dinner, The Helmsley, University of Nottingham

Registration

Registration for this event is now open, please follow the link below.
Deadlines:
Meeting and registration deadline: 9 September
Accommodation and dinner booking deadline: 26 August

This event is sponsored by the Biochemical Society. Student members of the society can apply for travel funds to attend the meeting by applying here: http://www.biochemistry.org/Grants/StudentBursaries.aspx

Abstracts for a poster session are welcomed for this event. If you would like to submit an abstract for a poster, please complete the form below, before the deadline of 14 August:

Directions

The workshop will take place at the University of Nottingham in the Senate Chamber located within the Trent Building (no.11 on the map).
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sharedresources/documents/mapuniversitypark.pdf