Program
9:00 – 11:00
–
11:00 – 11:30
11:30 – 12:30
–
12:30 – 15:00
–
15:00 – 17:00
Registration
17:00 – 17:30
Opening
17:30 – 18:30
Keynote
from 18:30
Welcome Reception
9:00 – 11:00
Parallel 1.1 | Parallel 1.2 | Parallel 1.3 | Parallel 1.4
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30
Plenary 1
12:30 – 15:00
Lunch Break | Poster Session 1
15:00 – 17:00
Parallel 2.1 | Parallel 2.2 | Parallel 2.3 | Parallel 2.4
17:00 – 17:30
Coffee Break
17:30 – 18:30
Plenary 2
9:00 – 11:00
Parallel 3.1 | Parallel 3.2 | Parallel 3.3 | Parallel 3.4
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30
Plenary 3
12:30 – 15:00
Lunch Break | Poster Session 2
15:00 – 17:00
Parallel 4.1 | Parallel 4.2 | Parallel 4.3 | Parallel 4.4
17:00 – 17:30
Coffee Break
17:30 – 18:30
Plenary 4
from 18:30
General Assembly
9:00 – 11:00
Parallel 5.1 | Parallel 5.2 | Parallel 5.3 | Parallel 5.4
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30
Plenary 5
12:30 – 15:00
Lunch Break | Poster Session 3
15:00 – 17:00
Parallel 6.1 | Parallel 6.2 | Parallel 6.3 | Parallel 6.4
17:00 – 17:30
Coffee Break
17:30 – 18:30
Plenary 6
from 18:30
Conference Dinner
9:00 – 11:00
Parallel 7.1 | Parallel 7.2 | Parallel 7.3 | Parallel 7.4
11:00 – 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30
Plenary 7
12:30 – 13:40
Lunch Break
13:45 – 15:00
Award lectures
15:00 – 15:30
Closing ceremony
from 15:30
Departure
PLENARY SPEAKERS
Tomaso Poggio (USA)
Science and Engineering: the Race to Understand Intelligence
Sheref Mansy (Canada & Italy)
Towards chemical systems capable of Darwinian evolution
Alberto Diaspro (Italy)
The molecular artificial optical microscope. A route for combining molecular content fluorescence and label-free optical microscopy with machine learning
Lucia Banci (Italy)
From molecules to mechanisms of Life: the unique contribution of cellular structural biology
Hagan Bayley (UK)
Engineered nanopores: from gene sequencing to organ repair
M. Soledad Celej (Argentina)
Phase transitions of Tau and a-synuclein: implications for overlapping neuropathologies
Patricia Clark (USA)
New tools for understanding the impact of the cellular environment on protein folding
Arwen Pearson (Germany)
Pushing the boundaries of macromolecular crystallography: time-resolved and perturbative methods to study protein structure-function-dynamics relationships
Symposia
Title
1 | The new age of protein structure, prediction and design
Chairs
Bruno Correia, EPFL (Switzerland)
Alena Khmelinskaia (Germany)
Ora Schueler-Furman (Israel)
John Kuriyan (USA)
Invited
Tanja Kortemme (USA)
Possu Huang (USA)
Description
expand to read
The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics, highlight the great impact that AI has had in science and specifically in protein structure prediction and design. The session will host key contributions to this ongoing revolution and to the exploration of the frontiers of design for function.
Title
2 | Protein aggregation in disease: the next phase
Chairs
Elizabeth Meiering (Canada) Annalisa Pastore (UK)
Invited
Mei Hong (USA)
Hilal Lashuel (Switzerland)
Description
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Protein misfolding and aggregation is a hallmark of an increasing number of diseases. This session presents the molecular mechanisms that determine some of these disorders, including structural details of aberrant protein assemblies. We highlight how advances gained from different techniques, such as, for example, solid state NMR, synthetic strategies, and computational modelling, contribute to elucidating disease mechanisms and developing urgently needed diagnostics and therapeutics for devastating maladies.
Title
3 | Building Blocks of Life: Protein-Based Materials and Supramolecular Assemblies
Chairs
Aitziber Lopez Cortajarena (Spain)
Daniel Otzen (Denmark)
Invited
Silvia Marchesan (Italy)
The role of water: a playground for peptide self-assembly
Raz Jelinek (Israel)
Functional amyloids as catalysts: towards new paradigms in chemistry and biology?
Description
expand to read
Title
4 | Biophysics and Function of Protein/Peptide-Membrane Interactions
Chairs
Matthias Buck (USA)
Nathalie Reuter (Norway)
Invited
Kalina Hristova (USA)
Reidar Lund (Norway)
Description
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Biological membranes form the platform of a wide array of cellular processes, from signaling to molecular transport. This symposium explores the biophysical principles governing protein and peptide interactions with membranes and the functional implications of these interactions. Amongst others, Dr. Kalina Hristova (Johns Hopkins University) will discuss her pioneering work on single-pass transmembrane receptors, emphasizing how dimerization and oligomerization modulate signaling, as revealed through FRET-based approaches and functional assays, and Dr. Reidar Lund (University of Oslo) will discuss how insights into the structure and dynamics of peptide-membrane systems can be obtained using advanced SAXS/SANS techniques. The symposium will also highlight novel methodologies and multidisciplinary perspectives, offering a comprehensive view of the intricate roles protein and peptide-membrane interactions play in cellular processes and disease mechanisms. Join us to uncover the molecular choreography that drives life at the membrane interface
Title
5 | Biophysics of biological barriers: membrane structure and organization
Chairs
Gregor Anderluh (Slovenia)
Lorenzo Stella (Italy)
Invited & Title
Ilya Levental (USA)
Novel dimensions of living membrane asymmetry
Sebastien Mongrand (France)
News insights on plant plasma membrane lipids to understand regulation of homeoviscosity during temperature fluctuation
Description
expand to read
Biological membranes serve as critical hubs for numerous cellular processes. Their lipid composition, structure, dynamics, mechanical and barrier properties play a pivotal role in how they modulate cellular function. However, the complex organization of these structures remains a challenging puzzle. Processes such as fusion, pore formation, remodeling, exo- and endocytosis present numerous open scientific questions. This symposium will delve into recent advances in all these topics and in related biophysical techniques, including high-resolution structural biology, advanced imaging, molecular simulations, spectroscopic, scattering and calorimetric methods. This event offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a deeper understanding of the biological barriers that are fundamental to life.
Title
6 | Biogenic Nanoparticles and Biomimetic Systems: Nanotechnology from Nature
Chairs
Antonella Bongiovanni (Italy) Mauro Manno (Italy)
Invited
Paolo Arosio (Switzerland)
The physico-chemical landscape of extracellular vesicles
Marca Wauben (Netherlands)
Learning from nature: Deciphering the physiological role and composition of milk-derived extracellular vesicles
Description
expand to read
This symposium explores the world of biogenic nanoparticles, with a focus on extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, as lipid-based biological messengers naturally evolved to mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules—proteins, RNAs, lipids, and metabolites—across cells, tissues, and even organisms. By examining the landscape of their physico-chemical properties, as well as their function, cargo selection, transport and uptake mechanisms, researchers are unveiling the variety of combined interactions operating on a mesoscopic scale that define the identity of nano-structures and determine the behavior and function of living organisms behaviour. On a biotechnological perspective, the studies of biogenic nanoparticles as carriers can drive the development of biomimetic systems, inspiring next-generation nanotechnological applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, and materials engineering.
Title
7 | Biophysics of genes, RNA and ribosomes
Chairs
Norbert Polacek (Switzerland)
Gabriella Viero (Italy)
Invited
Joseph Puglisi (USA)
The dynamics of translation
Mattia Pelizzola (Italy)
Description
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In this session on the biophysics of genes, RNA, and ribosomes, we will explore the cutting-edge technological advancements driving our understanding of chromatin remodeling, RNA condensates, RNA turnover, and ribosome heterogeneity. Recent innovations in quantitative biology tools, such as sequencing-based technologies, have revolutionized how we approach these fundamental processes, bridging the gap between classical biophysical methods and modern systems biology. These tools have provided unprecedented insights into the stochastic nature of gene expression, allowing quantitative understanding even at the single molecule level. By integrating high-resolution sequencing or imaging data with theoretical models, we are beginning to unravel the complexities of gene regulation, including how molecular machines, like RNA polymerases and ribosomes, are dynamically modulated throughout the cell cycle. This session will highlight how these advancements are transforming our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning gene expression and how these insights can stimulate more traditional biophysical approaches.
Title
8 | Cell mechanics: biophysics of cell growth, division, signaling, and motion
Chairs
Claudia Tanja Mierke (Germany)
Massimo Vassalli (UK)
Invited
Ioanna Mela (UK)
Danijela Vignjevic (France)
Description
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The symposium will focus on the effects of mechanical signals on cellular functions such as cell growth, cell division, signal transduction processes and cell motility. The effects of the cellular environment must be considered, such as the mechanical and biochemical properties of the ECM scaffold. In addition to these acellular components of the cell environment, the ECM-scaffold resident cells such as fibroblasts, macrophages and mast cells are of crucial importance. While cells perform their functions, mechanobiological aspects play a role in determining their behavior, whereby they themselves can be transformed to another state, e.g. during migration from epithelial to mesenchymal or from mesenchymal to ameboid. This change of state is often not complete and reversible, so that the cells can change dynamically between different states, depending on the mechanical conditions.
Title
9 | Cell communication: Membrane transport & Ion channels
Chairs
Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam (Germany)
Invited
Crina Nimigean (USA)
Mechanism of propofol inhibition of HCN1 channels
Antonios Pantazis (Sweden)
192 conformations, or: regulation of CaV2.1 by the membrane potential
Description
expand to read
The topic of the symposium “Cell communication: Membrane transport & Ion channels” includes research in a variety of areas including the structure, function and regulation of channels and transporters. This also includes mechanisms related to ligand-receptor interactions, signal transduction mechanisms, protein trafficking and secretory pathways.
Title
10 | Single-Cell Biophysics: Techniques and findings in single-cell analysis and its implications for understanding cellular heterogeneity.
Chairs
Laszlo Matyus (Hungary)
Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam (Germany)
Invite
Pietro Cicuta (UK)
Improvements in single cell imaging at high throughput shed new light on AMR in bacteria
Bianca Sclavi (France)
Mechanisms of cell cycle dependent gene expression in Escherichia coli
Description
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The single-cell biophysics symposium aims to explore single cell research at the interface between biology and physics, focusing on understanding the physical principles that govern cellular behaviour, organization, and interactions. It will bring together scientists from different backgrounds to discuss current and future experimental, computational, and theoretical advances in the field of single cell biophysics, including new methodologies, from advanced microscopy and force measurements to computational models and quantitative analysis methods. We hope that the symposium will foster networking.
Title
11 | Biophysical Mechanisms of Brain Plasticity: From Molecular Dynamics to Network Adaptation in Learning and Memory
Chairs
Marja-Leena Linne (Finland) Ausra Saudargiene (Lithuania)
Invited
Walter Senn (Switzerland)
From biophysics to computation: how dendrites learn Bayesian opinion weighting
Description
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We invite contributions to a symposium dedicated to exploring the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms underlying brain plasticity, learning, and memory, with an emphasis on multi-scale representations of these complex phenomena. The session will address recent advancements in understanding how various brain cells—including neurons, glia, and other cell types—interact and adapt across molecular, cellular, and network levels, both in physiological and pathological contexts. We seek contributions that address the dynamic processes driving brain function, from synaptic plasticity to large-scale neural network adaptations. Experimental and computational studies are both welcome, especially those that offer new insights into the mechanisms of learning and memory through novel techniques, modeling approaches, or interdisciplinary perspectives. We aim to foster discussions at the intersection of biophysics, neuroscience, and computational modeling, exploring how these fields converge to illuminate the intricate processes that shape cognition, memory, and brain health.
Title
12 | Cellular biophysics in diseases (cancer, rare diseases, infectious diseases)
Chairs
Laszlo Matyus (Hungary)
Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam (Germany)
Invited & Title
Gyorgy Panyi (Hungary)
Molecular pathology of ion channels in diseases and their pharmacological targeting
Josef Käs (Germany)
The metastatic cascade- does oncology need the physics of cancer?
Description
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This symposium will explore the key contributions from cellular biophysics in understanding disease mechanisms and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. The session will highlight the interplay of mechanical forces, cellular architecture, role of ion channels, and disease progression, providing insights into how biophysical principles drive pathological processes. We welcome contributions covering topics such as the biophysical principles underlying cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or other pathologies, as well as studies leveraging novel techniques in imaging, mechanobiology, and modeling to probe cellular dysfunction
Title
13 | Collective behavior and ionic liquid in biological systems
Chairs
Antonio Benedetto (Ireland & Italy)
TBD
Invited
–
Description
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Title
14 | Biomaterials and 3D Bioprinting
Chairs
Shery Huang (USA)
Loredana Casalis (Italy)
Invited
Marcy Zenobi-Wang (Switzerland)
The space within: Engineering scaffold voids to advance tissue regeneration
Andrew Daly (Ireland)
Description
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The symposium on Biomaterials and 3D Bioprinting will illuminate the pivotal role of biophysical principles in guiding the design and optimization of biomaterials and 3D bioprinting innovations. Key topics will include the role of biophysics in understanding cell-material interactions, insights into self-assembly, and tissue morphogenesis in biomaterial formation and tissue engineering. Additionally, the symposium will look at emerging mechanical, optical, and acoustic techniques employed in 3D bioprinting to create functional tissue constructs. The symposium will provide an exploration of the intersection between biophysics and cutting-edge biomedical engineering.
Title
15 | Self-assembly in life science
Chairs
Nuno C. Santos (Portugal)
André Matagne (Belgium)
Invited & Title
Jean-François Collet (Belgium)
Assembling the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria
Sandra Macedo-Ribeiro (Portugal)
Description
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Self-assembly is a cornerstone of biological organization, where molecules or structures spontaneously form ordered arrangements driven by inherent physical and chemical interactions. This phenomenon is guided by non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic effects, allowing for dynamic and reversible processes. It is essential for key biological phenomena, including protein folding, lipid membrane formation, DNA and RNA structuring, and the assembly of supramolecular complexes like ribosomes and viral capsids. Beyond its role in biology, self-assembly inspires innovations in biotechnology and nanotechnology, enabling breakthroughs in drug delivery, synthetic biology, and materials science. This session explores the mechanisms, functions, and applications of self-assembly, inviting insights into its role in both natural systems and engineered solutions.
Title
16 | Machine learning and Agent-based models
Chairs
Matej Praprotnik (Slovenia) Helmut Grubmüller (Germany)
Invited
Lars Bock (Germany)
Description
expand to read
Molecular simulations have become an essential tool for scientific
discovery in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine.
However, they remain hampered by their limited access to
time scales of biological relevance for protein-folding pathways,
conformational dynamics, and rare-event kinetics. Machine-learning methods, exploiting the expressive power of deep networks and their scalability to large
data sets, have been recenlty used to alleviate the associated computational burden.
The aim of the workshop is to discuss machine-learning and agent-based modeling approaches
for simulating complex biomolecular systems. The topics will include applications of AI such as data-driven learning of potential
energy surfaces and force fields, reinforcement learning, learning of effective dynamics, and development of agent-based models
for biophysical systems.
Title
17 | Molecular modeling and simulation
Chairs
Syma Khalid (UK) Gianluca Lattanzi (Italy)
Invited
–
Description
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This symposium invites researchers and practitioners to explore cutting-edge advancements in computational techniques for studying biomolecular systems. This symposium will cover a broad range of topics, including molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo simulations, quantum mechanical methods, and hybrid approaches for multiscale modeling. Emphasis will be placed on applications that span biology, chemistry, materials science, and pharmacology, offering insights into molecular mechanisms, structure-function relationships, and system dynamics at the molecular level. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss methodological developments, including force field improvements, enhanced sampling techniques, and applications of machine learning in molecular simulations. This symposium provides a platform for interdisciplinary discussions that bridge theoretical modeling and experimental findings, aiming to advance our understanding of complex molecular phenomena.
Title
18 | Advanced microscopy techniques (Brillouin, cryoEM, HS-AFM, …)
Chairs
Giuliano Scarcelli (USA) Silvia Caponi (Italy)
Invited
Kareem Elsayad (Austria)
Measuring transient changes in mechanical properties during biological processes
Stephanie Möllmert (Germany)
Across Scales and Systems: Mechanical Signatures in Retina, Spinal Cord, and Mucus
Description
expand to read
This session highlights groundbreaking microscopy techniques that enable imaging across different length scales, from the molecular to the cellular level. Topics include, but are not limited to, Brillouin microscopy for non-invasive, label-free imaging of mechanical properties in cells and tissues; high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM), enabling real-time visualization of molecular dynamics at the nanoscale; and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), providing high-resolution structural analysis of biomolecules. Attendees will explore how these advanced imaging tools are transforming biophysical research by uncovering processes and structures across multiple scales”
Title
19 | Teaching Biophysics in 2025 and beyond
Chairs
Mark Wallace (UK)
Coralie Bompard (France)
Invited
–
Description
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Title
20 | X-ray and Neutron Techniques in Biophysics
Chairs
Maria Grazia Ortore (Italy) Martin Weik (France)
Invited
Thomas J Lane (Germany)
Time-resolved crystallography captures light-driven DNA repair
Marité Cardenas (Spain)
Description
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The structure and dynamics of biomolecular systems can be investigated with X-ray and neutron scattering techniques implemented at large-scale facilities such as X-ray free electron lasers (XFEL), synchrotrons and neutron reactors and spallation sources. Current frontiers include the use of time-resolved serial X-ray crystallography and solution scattering to study structural changes of proteins in real time after reaction triggering. Another development is X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to study how proteins move in biomolecular condensates on broad time- and length-scales. Neutron scattering techniques are often combined with macromolecular deuteration. Spectroscopy probes macromolecular motions in equilibrium on the nano- to picosecond time-scale, small angle scattering the low-resolution structure of macromolecular complexes and their components, reflectometry the structure of membrane-bound systems and crystallography an atomic-resolution view of protons within biomolecules. The session will cover both developments in X-ray and neutron techniques and illustrations on how they can be used to address cutting-edge problems in molecular biophysics.
Title
21 | NMR: towards cell process characterization
Chairs
Miquel Pons (Spain)
Maria Sunnerhagen (Sweden)
Invited
Bjorn Burmann (Sweden) Irene Diaz-Moreno (Spain)
Description
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Alone or integrated with other biophysical methods, NMR not only provides time averaged structures at atomic resolution of macromolecules, but it can provide a rich dynamic view of the cell functional processes in which they are involved. Unique to NMR is its sensitivity to dynamic processes in a wide range of time scales, its non-invasiveness enabling in vivo detection in favorable systems, its capacity to study disordered proteins, or the possibility to detect low populated (“invisible”) states contributing to function. This symposium will showcase state-of-the-art NMR applications and techniques enabling a functional and realistic view of complex cell processes.
Title
22 | Vibrational Spectroscopies in Biophysics
Chairs
Christoph Krafft (Germany) Małgorzata Barańska (Poland)
Invited
Katsumasa Fujita (Japan)
Raman spectroscopy and microscopy of cryofixed biological samples
Oxana Klementieva (Sweden)
Advancing Vibrational Spectroscopy: In Situ, Time-Resolved Imaging for Structurally Complex Systems
Csilla Gergely (France)
Description
expand to read
Raman and infrared spectroscopy are pivotal and indispensable tools in biophysics. Both vibrational spectroscopic techniques provide complementary insights. Their label-free and non-invasive nature, high specificity and sensitivity make them essential to analyze bonding, composition, dynamics, structural transitions, and conformational changes in single molecules, viruses, bacteria, cells and other complex biological systems, advancing our understanding of life processes. Prominent applications in biophysics include protein folding studies, lipid membrane characterization, and monitoring biomolecular interactions in real time. The invited speakers will present advanced Raman and infrared spectroscopies stimulating further progress in biophysics.
Title
23 | Bionanophotonics and single molecule fluorescence
Chairs
Peterman Erwin (Netherlands)
Giancarlo Ruocco (Italy)
Invited
Francesca Cella Zanacchi (Italy)
Description
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Title
24 | Nanotechnology and Nanoscale Pores: Advances and Applications in Biophysics and Beyond
Chairs
Giovanni Maglia (Netherlands)
Chan Cao (Switzerland)
Invited
Mauro Chinappi (Italy)
Shuo Huang (China)
Description
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Title
25 | Synthetic Biology and Astrobiology
Chairs
Roman Jerala (Slovenia)
Claudia Bonfio (UK)
Invited
Tina Lebar (Slovenia)
Description
expand to read
This session explores the exciting fields of synthetic biology and astrobiology, as well as their intersection, examining how these disciplines address fundamental questions about designed biological systems, the origin and evolution of life, and its potential beyond Earth. We will discuss advancements in synthetic biology, from engineering systems in mammalian cells to creating systems that mimic living organisms. We’ll also cover the search for biosignatures on other planets and the development of novel biotechnologies inspired by extreme environments. Join us to discover how cutting-edge research is creating new tools, shaping our understanding of life in the universe, and exploring the possibilities for life’s adaptation to other worlds
Title
26 | Powering life: photosynthesis and respiration
Chairs
Roberta Croce (Netherlands)
Petra Hellwig (France)
Invited
Wojciech Wietzynski (Switzerland)
Correlative light and electron microscopy reveals structural rearrangements of photosynthetic membranes in changing light
Pia Adelröth (Sweden)
The branched respiratory chains of Mycobacteria
Description
expand to read
This symposium focuses on the fundamental processes of photosynthesis and respiration, which together sustain life on Earth. We invite contributions from fields including spectroscopy, structural biology, bioenergetics, evolutionary biology, molecular dynamics, and computational modeling. This session will highlight recent advances in our understanding of energy capture and conversion at the molecular, membrane and cellular levels. Topics will cover the architecture and function of photosynthetic complexes, electron transport chains, and respiratory pathways, as well as the ways these processes adapt to diverse environments.
Title
27 | Breaktrhough methods in molecular scale biophysics
Chairs
Tomasz Kobiela (Poland)
Barbara Zambelli (Italy)
Invited
–
Description
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This session will explore cutting-edge biophysical and biochemical methods to characterized biological systems at the molecular level. This knowledge requires the understanding of the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomacromolecules, and their crucial roles within cells and living organisms. The focus of this session will be placed on newly developed methods and novel applications of established techniques that address emerging challenges in the field. This session aims to provide an overview of the latest breakthroughs, paving the way for major discoveries in molecular biophysics.
Title
28 | New and Notable
Chairs
Anthony Watts (UK)
Elena Pohl (Austria)
Invited
–
Description
expand to read
This session will explore cutting-edge biophysical and biochemical methods to characterized biological systems at the molecular level. This knowledge requires the understanding of the structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomacromolecules, and their crucial roles within cells and living organisms. The focus of this session will be placed on newly developed methods and novel applications of established techniques that address emerging challenges in the field. This session aims to provide an overview of the latest breakthroughs, paving the way for major discoveries in molecular biophysics.
Deadlines
24 February
- Application deadline Student Bursaries
17 March
- Abstract deadline for consideration for selected Oral presentation
24 March
- Bursary recipients
- Selected Oral presentations announced
31 March
- Last Day EARLY BOOKING FEES
- Accepted abstracts with registered participant(s) at this date will be included in the EBJ Conference volume and in the EBSA2025 Congress book
31 May
- Last Day REGULAR FEES
- Late Abstracts*
*Late Abstracts for poster presentation will be accepted until 31 May. Approved Late Abstracts will be available online during the congress and will be assigned a poster number for presentation during one of the poster sessions, but will not be included in the printed Congress Abstract book or in the EBJ Congress volume
24 June
- Last day of on line registration