The seventh BioCrys course will be focused on Macromolecular Crystallography, by developing the fundamental concepts of Crystallography and illustrate these by tutorial and practical sessions.

This is particularly important due to the rapid development of the field and also due to the fact that many young researchers do not receive a formal education in Crystallography. Additionally, with the introduction of high-throughput methods, the need to understand and grasp the theory behind modern methods will certainly be critical to overcome the difficult problems that will arise and will not be solved by the automated procedures.

Topics of the course will run from fundamentals such as symmetry, point groups and crystal systems, basic diffraction physics, reciprocal space and the Ewalds sphere, radiation damage, data processing, symmetry in the diffraction pattern, structure factors, Patterson function to modern methodologies including molecular replacement, SAD, MAD, MIR and maximum likelihood phasing, direct methods, density modification, refinement, model building, twinning and structure validation. Main challenges on sample preparation and crystallization of proteins will also be covered.

The course will be organized with lectures in the mornings and interactive practicals and tutorials in the afternoons. Evening lectures will address two main important topics within Structural Biology, one covering studies of membrane proteins and the other the beginning of use of free electron lasers in macromolecular Crystallography.

Participants will be limited to 36, aimed primarly at people at the beginning of their crystallographic research activity as PhD students or others. Selected applicants are invited to present a poster during the course.

Main Topics (tentative) will include:

• Â Macromolecular crystallography: advances in refinement and phasing, crystallization and crystal treatment, protein-nucleic acid complexes, membrane proteins, structure and function of biomacromolecules
• Â XFEL and time-resolved crystallography methods
• Â hybrid approaches (SAXS, EM etc)
• Â additional topics of special interests of the HeCrA community

ICCBM15 has a focus on macromolecular crystallization for novel radiation sources such as free electron lasers and complementary methods (e.g. CryoEM).

For the individual desiring to learn how to grow crystals or to acquire new crystallization skills, the conference is preceded by a 2.5 days workshop (14-16 September 2014) consisting of short presentations, practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises by renowned experts.

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As an interdisciplinary oriented association the DGfB will bring together scientists from various research fields to stimulate and promote the exchange of ideas and information about biophysics. This year’s cooperation partners are the Institute of Physics of the University of Lübeck and the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Center for Medicine and Life Sciences, Biophysics â€" Programme Section Infections.  Â

The focus of the meeting 2014 will be

• Molecular Biophysics
• Membranes, Cells, Networks
• Medical Biophysics

These different aspects of Biophysics will be highlighted in plenary session and completed by numerous short talks as well as poster presentations. We highly encourage renowned and junior researchers to contribute to the programme of the meeting and submit abstracts.

11th EMBL Conference

Transcription and Chromatin

EMBL Heidelberg, Germany Saturday 23 August - Tuesday 26 August 2014

Why You Should Attend

This conference has played a very important role in the transcription field over the past 20 years, being both very well attended and generating highly interactive discussions..

Summary

The EMBL Transcription and Chromatin meeting has a long-standing tradition in shaping the field of transcriptional regulation. The meeting brings together leading experts covering all aspects of transcription from cis-regulatory function, long range regulation, 3-dimensional looping, the basal transcriptional machinery, RNA polymerase regulation and function, nucleosome positioning, chromatin modifications, chromatin remodelling, and epigenetic inheritance of transcriptional silencing. The meeting contains many talks selected from the abstracts that are interspersed with invited speakers, discussing the latest breakthroughs in transcriptional regulation.

Aims of event

The conference is designed to promote interactive discussions at both the talks and poster sessions. Given the excellent line up of speakers and the meeting's outstanding reputation, this is a 'must' attend for anyone interested in cutting edge research in transcription.

Topics

• Activators, enhancer function, evolution and modelling
• Long range transcriptional regulation and enhancers
• General basal transcriptional machinery
• Pol II function, pausing and the role of RNA in transcription
• Chromatin modifications and transcription
• Transcriptional regulation during cell fate decisions - stem cell reprogramming and normal embryonic development

Gordon Research Conference

Biominerals are everywhere in our world, including in our own bones, teeth and inner ear otoconia. Well over 60 biominerals have been identified in Nature, where they cut across most phyla. Biologically regulated mineralization (biomineralization) began more than 500 million years ago in the pre-Cambrian period, and indeed is in large measure partly responsible for the evolutionary success of the Cambrian explosion. Well prior to that, mineralogy on Earth has been affected by biological processes such that mineral "evolution" has likewise been described.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not surprisingly to some), the chemical composition and atomic structure of macroscopic and microscopic hard rocks found in the crust of the earth and in the geologic displays of museums and collectors is essentially the same used for organismal hardening strategies. The difference, of course, lies in the fact that biology has spatially diminished this rock-forming process in many cases down to the nanoscale, to form 'nanorocks' of sorts. The incredible downsizing precision of this nanoscaling process allows for tremendous organic-inorganic composite diversity across the structures and tissues of various organisms. Where biomineralization occurs within extracellular matrices - as in vertebrate bone, cartilage, dentin, cementum and enamel - the end result is billions, if not trillions or more, of nanocrystallites embedded within an organic scaffolding that together affords a degree of flexibility and toughness not present in the Earth's brittle gems. Gene mutations that ultimately affect mineral-regulating proteins typically lead to defective mineralization â€" and consequently decreased function â€" in the structures/tissues in which they reside.

Reconciliation of the evolving interplay between organic moieties and minerals lies at the heart of modern biomineralization inquiry, with studies typically requiring an integration of multi-pronged biophysical, biological and geological/mineralogical investigative approaches. Accordingly, this Gordon Research Conference on Biomineralization will explore the basic principles by which organisms synthesize, control and make use of minerals, as well as the potential applications of these, particularly related to the creation of novel, biologically regulated mineralized materials. Spectacular advances have been made in the last years and are impacting various scientific communities, from biology to geology, from life sciences to materials science, and from evolutionary sciences to engineering.

The central goal of this biomineralization GRC is to create a stimulating environment for scientists from all these disciplines to discuss the latest ideas and recent advances on how minerals interact with biomolecules, and what are the consequences of this interfacial interaction. The conference topics will cover all kinds of biominerals, including amongst others carbonates, phosphates, silica and iron oxides, whether they occur in vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and bacteria. It will also address human health issues related to abnormal mineralization or diseases connected to mineral growth and homeostasis in the skeleton and in teeth.

The great success of this GRC (its 50th anniversary) â€" and its first GRS (in 2012) â€" is largely attributable to its lively afternoon poster sessions, which complement exciting invited lectures usually followed by animated, provocative scientific exchange. The informal nature of the conference, along with abundant discussion time, breaks down barriers between students and junior and senior investigators, leading to an ongoing free and exciting exchange of scientific ideas. All are encouraged to present posters containing in part at least some new unpublished work, from which some will be selected for short oral presentations. Topics to be covered as part of the invited oral program include but are not limited to: Biomineral nucleation and growth, Intracellular biomineralization, Regulation of biomineralization in marine invertebrates, Protein/peptide structural biology regulating biomineralization processes, Computational simulations of biomineralization, Transgenic mouse models for understanding normal and pathologic biomineralization, Mineralized material properties and bioinspired materials, and Co-evolution of the geo- and biospheres.

• Chair: Marc D. McKeeÂ
• Vice Chair: Nico A.J.M. Sommerdijk

The helical nature of DNA causes a topological problem for its replication. Watson and Crick were well aware of this potential problem, and in 1953 they stated: "Since the two chains in our model are intertwined, it is essential for them to untwist if they are to separate... Although it is difficult at the moment to see how these processes occur without everything getting tangled, we do not feel that this objection will be insuperable". We now know that this problem is solved by the DNA topoisomerases, which were first reported in 1971 by James Wang, with the discovery of bacterial topoisomerase I. Over the past ~40 years these enzymes have been found in all organisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses and archaea) and to perform roles that are vital for survival, supporting replication, transcription and other processes where topological problems in DNA need to be resolved. The enzymes are ‘marvelous molecular machines’ catalyzing the seemingly magical task of passing one piece of DNA through another to catalyze changes in DNA topology. Some of the enzymes are molecular motors having the ability to transduce the free energy of ATP hydrolysis into torsional stress in DNA (supercoiling). Although the outline of their mechanisms has been established, a great deal is unknown and emerging technologies, such as single-molecule methods, need to be applied to gain a deeper understanding of these enzymes and their roles in cellular processes. Topoisomerases have become key drug targets both for anti-bacterial and anti-cancer chemotherapy. This is due to their essential nature and because of their mechanism of action, which involves transient DNA cleavage that, if disrupted, can lead to highly cytotoxic events. Study of these enzymes in the context of myriad cellular processes is of key importance in research leading to the development of new chemotherapeutic agents.

We have now established a regular series of meetings (every two years) centered on DNA topoisomerases, as part of the Gordon Research Conference Program. Activity over recent years confirms that there is an ongoing appetite for conferences in this area; previous topo meetings have always attracted plenty of participants. Around 1,000 papers concerned with topoisomerases are published each year, covering a wide range of topics. We anticipate that ‘DNA topoisomerases in biology and medicine’ will attract scientists in academia and industry from a broad range of disciplines including structural biology, mechanistic enzymology, biophysics, genetics, pharmacology, cell biology and medicine, and will result in a fertile mix of ideas and approaches. By establishing a GRC in this area we aim to provide stability and continuity for meetings in this area going forward; we warmly invite you to attend this meeting.

• Chair: Anthony MaxwellÂ
• Vice Chair: Mary-Ann Bjornsti

Diffraction Methods in Structural Biology

Faster, Smaller, Better: Novel Technologies for Diffraction Experiments in Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery

July 27 - August 1, 2014

Bates College
Lewiston, ME

• Chair: Anastassis PerrakisÂ
• Vice Chair: Edward Snell

Towards Integrative Structural Biology: Gordon Research Seminar

The Gordon Research Seminar on Diffraction Methods in Structural Biology is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.

The focus of this meeting will be on integrating the latest generation of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments with complementary experimental and computational methods to tackle bigger, more complex structural questions. The meeting will also feature a mentorship session with accomplished scientists from both academia and industry available to discuss career paths in structural biology.

• Chair: Maike BublitzÂ
• Associate Chair: Oliver B. Zeldin

Membrane Transport Proteins

Structure, Function, Physiology, and Targets in Disease

July 13-18, 2014

Mount Snow Resort
West Dover, VT

• Chair: Poul NissenÂ
• Vice Chair: Rajini Rao

Atomic and Molecular Interactions

Energy Conversion Processes and Chemical Reactions in Clusters, Solution, Surfaces, Interfaces, and Biological Systems

July 13-18, 2014Â

Stonehill College
Easton, MA

• Chair: Sharon Hammes-SchifferÂ
• Vice Chair: Gilbert M. Nathanson

The Workshop is addressed to students, postdocs and young researchers, who are engaged in structural studies of macromolecules. The aim is to familiarize the participants with modern methods of biocrystallography as applied to structural studies of proteins and their complexes, including bioinformatics approaches.
The Workshop will consist of hands-on practical sessions supported by lectures. All students are encourage to bring their own protein or diffraction data. Additionally, a poster session will be held during the workshop, and the participants are encourage to present their own research projects.
The topics will include:

• * bioinformatics approaches prior to crystallographic studies
• * high-throughput protein expression, purification and crystallization
• * efficient X-ray diffraction data collection and processing
• * phasing and structure determination
• * model refinement and validation

Bioinspired Materials

Exploiting Biological Concepts and Strategies in Functional Synthetic MaterialsÂ

June 22-27, 2014

Sunday River Resort
Newry, ME

• Chair: Phillip B. MessersmithÂ
• Vice Chair: Timothy J. Deming

Course Information

The course is intended for undergraduate (5th year) and postgraduate students and postdocs with an interest in macromolecular crystallization. Number of participant is limited to 25.Â
The crystallization of biological macromolecules is still poorly understood and, as a consequence, success of the common trial-and-error experiments is not predictable. On the other hand, more rational approaches have been developed in the past few years and prospects for the science of crystallogenesis are in fact good. Many of the new approaches are based on an improved theoretical insight into the processes of nucleation and crystal growth.Â
The course is designed to bring over the message of the benefits of more rational approaches to macromolecular crystallization. The course will consist of theoretical lectures, seminars as well as practical work and demonstrations (lectures 40%, practical work 50%, seminars 10%). For crystallization experiments, typical recipes using commercial proteins will be used. In addition, students can bring their own proteins and carry out crystallization trials on these during the course. A poster section is planned in order to encourage participants to present their own work.Â
Nove Hrady is located in the south of the Czech Republic. The Academic and University Center resides in a very styleful chateau, which provides many facilities such as two lecture halls, laboratories, apartments and a student dormitory.

General Information

The unique potential of neutron scattering in structural biology arises from the strong interaction of neutrons with hydrogen (H) and its deuterium (D) isotope. This property makes the information available from neutron scattering unique and a valuable complement to data obtained from other structural techniques. Individual hydrogen/deuterium atoms are visualized in neutron density maps from crystallographic data at the resolution typical of most protein structures (2.0 -2.5 Ã...).Using H/D exchange  and contrast variation, proteins and nucleic acids are sequentially modeled and mapped in large biological complexes using small angle neutron scattering, protein-membrane interactions are revealed using Reflectometry and protein and water dynamics measured using spectroscopy.
The workshop includes a symposium, lectures and tutorials and tours of the High Flux Isotope reactor and Spallation Neutron Source, the world’s leading neutron research facilities.
The workshop is designed for graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and faculty with knowledge of protein function and structure but no or limited experience of neutron sciences.
Subjects include:

• Crystallography
• Small Angle Scattering
• Reflectometry
• Spectroscopy
• Imaging
• Labeling techniques

Course Objectives

1. Educate participants in neutron scattering techniques, instrumentation and data collection, analysis and interpretation.
2. Expose participants to cutting-edge research in neutron structural biology.
3. Build interactions between participants, their university groups, and ORNL neutron scattering experts to develop new research projects.

12th International School and Symposium on Synchrotron Radiation in Natural Science

ISSRNS is a series of meetings, organised every two years, devoted to recent advances and new techniques employing synchrotron radiation in physics, chemistry, materials science, biology and medicine.

The 12th International School and Symposium on Synchrotron Radiation in Natural Science (ISSRNS 2014) will be organized by Polish Synchrotron Radiation Society (PTPS) in cooperation with two Polish institutions, the Institute of Physics, of the Polish Academy of Sciences, (Warsaw) and National Centre for Nuclear Physics, (Otwock/Świerk) from 15th to  20th of June 2014 in Warsaw (Poland).  ISSRNS is a traditional forum for discussing fundamental issues of application of the synchrotron radiation and related methods in natural sciences. The aim of this interdisciplinary meeting is to bring together scientists working with synchrotron radiation. The Symposium will focus on novel applications of synchrotron radiation in physics, chemistry, material science, biology and medicine.

THE TOPICS OF ISSRNS 2014 INCLUDE:

• X-ray diffraction: methods and applications,
• Macromolecular crystallography,
• Structure solution in nano- and micro-scales
• Elastic scattering of X-rays,
• Synchrotron radiation in nanoscience,
• Imaging, holography, spectroscopic mapping,
• X-ray absorption, fluorescence and photoelectron spectroscopies,
• X-ray magnetic dichroism,
• Synchrotron radiation at long wavelengths (THz, IR and VUV),
• Synchrotron radiation in life sciences and medicine,
• Novel applications of Free Electron Lasers,
• Synchrotron and alternative radiation sources â€" new developments and instrumentation,
• Advanced optics, irradiation damage and metrology of intense beams

What is the Bachelor Summer Program ?

The Bachelor Summer Program gives you the opportunity to study at UJF, obtain credits for your home university and meet students from all over the word! It is also open to French UJF students with whom you will interact daily.
This 6 week program offers scientific courses taught in English and French. You may choose among three scientific topics (physical computing, large scale facilities, biochemistry). Each of them is made up of lessons, tutorials, practical work and scientific visits.
You will discover different aspects of French life through cultural excursions within the city and in its beautiful mountain environment.

When does the Summer Session take place in 2014 ?

From June 2 to July 13, 2014

Who is it for ?

It is designed for English speaking undergraduate students from 2nd to 4 th year. A good level in science is required, with different prerequisites for each course. Beginners in French as well as more advanced ones are welcome.

Scientific courses

60 hr. courses, 3 different topics:

• Physical Computing
• Large Scale Facilities
• Biochemistry

French courses 45 hr. courses and cultural visits

Biopolymers

Mechanisms of Biomolecular Interactions: From Physical Principles to Biological Insights

June 1-6, 2014Â

Salve Regina University
Newport, RI

• Chair: Ivet BaharÂ
• Vice Chair: Harald Schwalbe

Ile d'Oléron: First National School RéNaFoBIS

RéNaFoBIS (National Training Network in Integrative Structural Biology) will hold its first national school from 1st to June 6th, 2014 at Oléron.Â

School goals:

This first school will provide theoretical and applied approaches to training  used in structural biology (diffraction and X-ray scattering, NMR, cryo-microscopy, molecular and cellular imaging, macromolecular interactions). The school will focus on the integration of many of these methods to answer the great questions of the functional biology at the cellular level. To an audience of graduate students or young researchers, this training will show the contributions and limitations of each method and their complementarity. It will include theoretical sessions in the morning and practical work in groups in the afternoon.

Diseases, from bacterial and viral infections to cancer to chronic maladies, are still among the greatest problems for mankind, in spite of tremendous progress in genetics, biology, and chemistry. Â Approaches to developing new treatments have changed over time, and so have the methodologies used, in order to solve the varied, new, challenging problems that may happen on the path to drug discovery. Â Together with ever-evolving experimental techniques, a variety of computational approaches have been applied at the various stages of the drug design process, and in the past two decades structure-based drug design has become one of the mainstream approaches. Â This method can be used to target protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions and nowadays is applicable to all aspects of drug discovery, including lead identification, lead optimization, ADMET prediction, and drug repurposing.Â

The purpose of the course is dual:
1) It will provide a review of the fundamentals and the application of crystallography to drug design, and an evaluation of the technology at the present state.
2) It will review the progress in this field and summarize the application and results to current fields of interest. Â
In addition to lectures, there will be hands-on workshops providing training in using modern computer programs.
The topics that will be covered are:
- Targeting Resistance in Design of Anti AIDS Drugs - Molecular Modeling and Drug Design - Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions - Drug Design Targeting Bromodomains - Targeting GPCRs for Drug Design - Targeting Influenza Virus Polymerase - The Small Molecule Universe - Molecular Obesity and Other Addictions in Drug Discovery - Energetics of Protein-Ligand Interactions - Docking Experiences and Expectations - Structure of Human G-Protein Coupled Receptor - Using ARP/WARP for Structure-Based Drug Design - Antibody Technologies to Stabilize Targets for NCE Screening - Drug Design Tales from AstraZeneca - High Resolution Protein-Ligand Interactions by X-rays and Neutrons - Virus Structure and Antiviral Drug Design - Structure-Based Design of Drugs Against Diabetes - Membrane Protein Structure - Structural Bioinformatics - Protein Aggregation and Drug Design - Turning on Enzymes with Small Molecules