11 / 20
BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
11
AUGUST
2016
Thematic Meetings
Engineering Approaches to Biomolecular Motors:
From in vitro to in vivo
Attendees representing 12 countries met at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre to discuss and share their research.
In June, approximately 100 scientists and engi-
neers from diverse backgrounds gathered in Van-
couver, Canada, at Simon Fraser University for the
Biophysical Society thematic meeting,
Engineering
Approaches to Biomolecular Motors: From in vitro to
in vivo
.
The program ranged from artificial motors based
on DNA, peptides, proteins, and supramolecular
chemistry, through the engineering of biological
motors and their incorporation into nanodevices
and on to reconstituted systems and living cells.
Theoretical perspectives provided insight into the
workings and fundamental operational limits of
these machines. The science presented showed
that both bottom-up and top-down engineering
approaches had reached a level of maturity where
major advances are being made into understanding
and utilizing molecular motors.
The breadth of the program engaged scientists
who do not normally meet together, spawning
lively and challenging discussions. Single-mole-
cule methods abounded, spilling from synthetic
constructs to cell biology. The program was
dense, with 36 presentations plus nine session in-
troductions, yet, the theater remained full until the
very end. Thirty-seven posters were presented over
two sessions: four students and one postdoc were
awarded prizes from the
Biophysical Journal
for
their excellent presentations. Each poster present-
er delivered a one-minute “flash talk” as part of the
oral sessions to raise awareness of their science.
The meeting was capped by a harbor cruise around
Vancouver. The weather was perfect, allowing
the participants to enjoy spectacular vistas of the
mountains and bay surrounding Vancouver from
the decks of the paddle boat, culminating in a
picturesque sunset. During the cruise, there were
numerous discussions regarding the potential for
subsequent meetings to draw together a similar
cohort of scientists to discuss progress in the field
and to map the future.
The meeting’s organizing committee members
included
Zev Bryant
, Stanford University, United
States,
Paul Curmi
, University of New South
Wales, Australia,
Nancy Forde
, Simon Fraser Uni-
versity, Canada,
Heiner Linke
, Lund University,
Sweden, and
Samara Reck-Peterson
, University of
California, San Diego, United States.
—
Paul Curmi
, University of New South Wales,
Australia