ESF Research Conferences

The cytoskeletal field is fast moving and changing very quickly. As well as new discoveries in how proteins are assembled, regulated and interact to contribute to cell behaviour and function, there are new developments in imaging technology, and in chemical biology that are pushing forward the frontiers of research into the cytoskeleton and cell behaviour. Indeed, cytoskeletal research often works as a paradigm for the development of new imaging techniques and experimental approaches, because of its well characterized cellular structure.

This conference will address the best and the newest developments in this research area. It brings together researchers from a broad range of scientific backgrounds, but with a common aim of understanding the basic properties of the cytoskeleton, and how it is organised and utilised by cells and tissues. 

This meeting intends to capitalize on the cross-fertilization of ideas between researchers from different experimental backgrounds to generate new collaborations and ideas. The topics to be covered include subjects from passive mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton, to how the cytoskeleton acts as tracks for motors and the behaviour of single molecules that move along these tracks, and how the cytoskeleton and motors are regulated inside cells.  It will cover emerging and state-of-the-art techniques used to investigate the properties of these molecules in vitro ranging from biochemical approaches to optical trapping and AFM, and it will showcase how experimental work is increasingly integrating what we know from studies of isolated molecules to how macromolecular assemblies interact and function in cells, providing a molecular understanding for complex systems.

We particularly want to encourage young researchers to attend, and become involved in this exciting and challenging area of research.