Workshop Details
The Complexity of Dynamics and Kinetics from Single Molecules to Cells
06/21/2022 - 06/25/2022
Meeting Description:

This workshop focuses on the complexity of dynamics and kinetics in systems from single molecules to cells. Our aim is to bring several key concepts -- such as energy landscapes, state space and conformational networks, probability inverse methods, polymer theory, statistical physics and beyond -- to deepen and integrate fundamental concepts relevant from the level of single molecules to cells.

For instance, current biophysical imaging and spectroscopy methods can probe time (< 10^−6 s), length (10^−9 m) and force (10^−12 N) scales relevant to the life cycle of a cell. Despite the wealth of experimental data, our ability to gain meaningful insight from processes occurring at such small scales is limited by fundamental challenges common to all complex dynamical systems: current experimental and theoretical methods cannot capture complex processes in their full multi-dimensional detail.

At best, they provide a small slit through the curtains of the intricate cellular theatre on display by probing complex processes along just one or a few relevant observable coordinates. Our focus will therefore be on building principled models for complex biological and physical systems directly inspired from experiments and computer simulations as well as generalizing theoretical frameworks relevant to complex biophysical phenomena.

We will bring together experimentalists and theorists from diverse fields to motivate discussions along the following broad topics:

1. What experimental spectroscopy or imaging techniques under current or future development would provide a broader, more complete and multi-dimensional, description of biophysical kinetics?

2. What is a convenient mathematical language for complex kinetics that would help understand, rather than fit, specific in silico, spectroscopy and imaging experiments? How do we maximize the predictive power of such models in a principled fashion while reducing their dependency on adjustable parameters? Related subjects include, for example, memory effects, multiple pathways on energy landscapes, networks and their relations to information processing of molecules, equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties.

3. How can we take full advantage of entire data sets from experiments or simulations in building models such as complex networks or generalized Langevin dynamics in steady-state and nonsteady-state environments?

4. Very broadly: When is a model too complicated in biophysics? When is a model too simple? Do the types of experiments from which we gather data set fixed bounds on what we can or cannot ask?

Notes:

This workshop is aimed at having an interdisciplinary meeting that brings together researchers in different fields to explore the new, exciting, open questions, by stirring different disciplines. The time slot for each speaker is about one hour including 20-30 minutes interactive discussions with the audience. The program through a week is usually not fully occupied and allows the participants to exchange ideas in more detail and think about possible future projects/subjects during the meeting.

The registration fee also includes five breakfasts and the TSRC BBQ picnic.

We wish to ensure an intimate workshop setting, with no more than 20 to 25 participants. If you are interested in attending, but have not received an invitation, please contact the workshop organizer before registering. If you have registered for a meeting you were not invited to, you may be subject to a $100 fee.

TSRC is about expanding the frontiers of science, exploring new ideas, and building collaborations. The workshop schedule will allow for substantial unstructured time for participants to talk and think. All participants are expected to stay for the entire duration of the workshop. Scientists are encouraged to consider bringing family or friends. Telluride offers a number of options for children's camps (including Telluride Academy, Aha School for the Arts, and Pinhead Institute). There is more information on childcare, camps, and family activities on TSRC's website. Feel free to contact TSRC's staff to help with any planning and/or coordinating care.

IMPORTANT: Participants should be aware that this workshop runs Tuesday through Saturday. Discounted lodging rates begin on Monday, June 20th. If you are planning to arrive on Sunday you can stay at the Hampton Inn (970-547-4120) next to the airport and come up to Telluride first thing on Monday. You will receive a discount at the Hampton Inn by saying you are a TSRC scientist.

Meeting Venue:

Telluride Intermediate School
725 West Colorado Ave Telluride, CO 81435

The Complexity of Dynamics and Kinetics from Single Molecules to Cells Registered Meeting Participants:
Participant Organization
Comstock, Matt Michigan State University
Fei, Jingyi The University of Chicago
Fujita, Katsumasa Osaka University
Hernandez, Rigoberto Johns Hopkins University
Hiramatsu, Kotaro The University of Tokyo
Ishii, Kunihiko RIKEN
Jaqaman, Khuloud University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Kim, Sangjin University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Komatsuzaki, Tamiki Hokkaido University
Koslover, Elena UCSD
Leitner, David University of Nevada, Reno
Leslie, Sabrina University of British Columbia
Makarov, Dmitrii University of Texas at Austin
Mir, Mustafa The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Morozov, Alexandre Rutgers University
Munsky, Brian Colorado State University
Pressé, Steve Arizona State University
Sgouralis, Ioannis University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Shepherd, Douglas Arizona State University
Wollman, Roy University of California, Los Angeles

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