Proteins, cells and movement take centre stage at international conference

Biophysicists from around the world gather at Imperial College London - News Release

Imperial College London news release

For Immediate use
Thursday 12 July 2007

What makes cells live and how molecules move are two of the questions under discussion this week when world-leading biophysicists gather at Imperial College London for the 6th European Biophysics Congress.

The field of biophysics sees scientists from a number of disciplines, including physical sciences, life sciences and medicine, developing methods to probe biological processes. Speakers at the conference include Nobel Laureate Professor Sir John Walker of the MRC, who will be talking about the evolution of life and what makes cells live.

Professor Walker, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1997, specialises in studying a protein in the membrane of mitochondria – vesicles found inside all living cells. This protein is responsible for producing ATP, which is the 'chemical fuel' used by all cells. His talk at the congress will provide a historical look at how the production of this 'fuel' evolved.

Another plenary lecture being given at the Congress will be from Kazuhiko Kinosita from Tokyo. Professor Kinosita's work focuses on developing new techniques to observe molecules moving and has shown how proteins use ATP to produce movement.

Mike Ferenczi , Professor of Physiological Sciences at Imperial College London, Chair of the Congress' organising committee and Chair-elect of the European Biophysical Societies Association, said: "I'm delighted that we have so many eminent speakers at this year's congress, talking about the work they do in a vital field, at an exciting time. We have over 900 scientists from 48 countries joining us here in London this week which is testament to the continued importance of biophysics research. It brings together experts from disciplines which have historically been quite distinct, with the common goal of pioneering new physical methodologies and applying them to answer important biological problems."

A complete programme for the 6th Annual European Biophysics Conference can be found at: http://www.eurobiophysics.org//?page_id=53

For more information please contact:

Danielle Reeves, Imperial College London Press Office,
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2198
Mob: +44 (0)7803 886248
Email: Danielle.reeves@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Journalists wishing to attend any of the Congress's sessions should contact Jacqui Smith on Jacqueline.smith@imperial.ac.uk

2. A full list of abstracts for the Congress can be found at http://www.springerlink.com/content/13227 02881204174/fulltext.pdf

3. About Imperial College London

Rated as the world's ninth best university in the 2006 Times Higher Education Supplement University Rankings, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 11,500 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

With 66 Fellows of the Royal Society among our current academic staff and distinguished past members of the College including 14 Nobel Laureates and two Fields Medallists, Imperial's contribution to society has been immense. Inventions and innovations include the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of our research for the benefit of all continues today with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle climate change and mathematical modelling to predict and control the spread of infectious diseases.

The College's 100 years of living science will be celebrated throughout 2007 with a range of events to mark the Centenary of the signing of Imperial's founding charter on 8 July 1907.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk