Analysis and Engineering of Biomolecular Systems

Island of Spetses, Greece,  11 - 17 September 2010

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Welcome to our Advanced Lecture Course

21st century research in Bioscience will generate major advances in our understanding of how molecular systems can support all of the properties associated with living organisms. The key to progress here will be increasingly significant inputs from the physical sciences, engineering, computation and mathematics, leading to powerful new quantitative and precise methods of analysis and far deeper insight into the fundamental principles of living systems. One of the most important manifestations of the changing nature of bioscience is the rapid growth of systems biology and synthetic biology, which are based on precise analytical approaches as well as rigorous design and modelling principles. The influence of these related fields has been pervasive, and they continue to grow in significance. Moreover, these two hybrid disciplines are having a major impact on research and development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

In the introductory parts of the course, we will explore how we can build up a comprehensive picture of a living system starting with principles of macromolecular structure and function, how molecules in living cells self-organise, how macromolecules assemble to form complexes, pathways and subcellular structures, how they function in pathways, how these are all networked together, and how they are controlled and regulated. We will place emphasis on the full range of quantitative techniques required to study biosystems. We will then consider different approaches to capturing the kinetics of pathways using mathematical representations such as biochemical systems theory and metabolic control analysis, and will discuss the analysis of rate control and regulation. Particular consideration will be given to the challenges for modelling posed by gene expression systems and macromolecular assembly pathways. Following on from this, in the sessions on synthetic biology, we will show how the design, modelling, construction and testing of man-made biomolecular systems can be developed from a thorough understanding of naturally evolved biomolecular systems. Various applications of synthetic biology will be considered.

This unique course will be of value to talented young PhD students and postdocs who are keen to engage with the exciting opportunities provided by these burgeoning interdisciplinary areas of research. We expect the course to be informative, challenging, exciting and thought-provoking. It will be of value to individuals already working in related areas as well as to those wishing to re-orientate their research careers.

   Lecturers include:
  • Jean Beggs
  • Tom Blundell
  • Erich Bornberg-Bauer
  • Virginia Cornish
  • Drew Endy
  • Paul Freemont
  • Tobias von der Haar
  • Phillip Holliger
  • Richard Kitney
  • Esteban Martinez
  • John McCarthy
  • Pedro Mendes
  • Stephen Michnick
  • Andrés Moya
  • Yoshikuza Nakamura
  • Haruo Saito
  • Nadrian Seeman

Participants should arrive on Friday 10th September, with the main scientific programme beginning on the morning of Saturday 11th September 2010. The course will be completed on the evening of Friday 17th September, with departures on the 18th.

All participants are encouraged to bring posters. The deadline for applications is 31st May 2010. To apply, click here.

A number of travel grants are available to assist young scientists meet some of the costs of attendance. For more information, click here.

Organising committee:

For more information, contact us.