The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Workshop on Physics of Living Systems 2023 successfully brought together a global community of scientists, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of scientific understanding. By exploring the fundamental principles that underlie living systems, this event propelled interdisciplinary research forward and paved the way for innovative discoveries at the interface of physics and biology.
The workshop, held at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), focused on exploring the fundamental principles underlying the spatiotemporal organization of living matter and featured an exceptional lineup of speakers. The conference included hot topics in the field and converged the search for the fundamental principles that underlie the spatiotemporal organization of living matter, including mechanochemical feedback, information transfer across scales, and robustness, among others.
The opening words were delivered by Prof. Dr. Ursula Staudinger, the Rector of Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), setting a tone of inspiration and intellectual curiosity for the entire workshop.
Renowned experts from various disciplines shared their insights during the workshop. Keynote lectures by Robert Phillips on Deciphering the Genomic Rosetta Stone and Elly Tanaka on Understanding the Signaling Architecture Underlying Regenerative Patterning Systems captivated attendees and were live-streamed for a broader audience. These lectures are now available on the Physics of Life official YouTube channel, ensuring that the knowledge shared during the event can reach an even wider audience.
The workshop provided an interactive platform for scientific exchange, featuring poster sections where participants could showcase their latest research findings. Attendees also had access to valuable career mentoring opportunities, underscoring the workshop's commitment to supporting the professional growth of early-career researchers. Furthermore, the availability of child-care grants emphasized inclusivity and made it easier for scientists with caregiving responsibilities to participate in the event.
The social dinner, a highlight of the workshop, took place on Wednesday aboard the iconic steamboat of Dresden. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, foster collaborations, and further strengthen the sense of scientific community.
The EMBO Workshop on Physics of Living Systems demonstrated excellent scientific quality, with a carefully selected group of speakers representing diverse backgrounds in physics, biology, and engineering. The interdisciplinary nature of the workshop facilitated stimulating discussions and the exploration of novel research perspectives.
The event was organized by the managing director of Physics of Life (PoL), Dr. Otger Campàs, and among the co-organizers are Dr. Benjamin Friedrich and Dr. Rita Mateus, core group leaders from PoL.