BPS2025 Full Program

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Impetux Optics SL

Integrated Optical and Electrical Techniques for Investigating Unsupported Lipid Bilayer Dynamics at the Single-Molecule Level Speaker: Dan Burden, Professor, Analytical Chemistry, Wheaton College Chemistry Department This presentation examines the microelectrode cavity array (MECA) platform for studying biomolecule dynamics in lipid bilayers, emphasizing simultaneous optical and electrical measurements. The platform detects single fluorescent molecules translocating across lipid bilayers while monitoring electrical currents typical of ion channel experiments. This dual-modal approach provides insights into membrane processes at the single-molecule level, enabling the study of electrically silent translocation events often missed with conventional methods. Dr. Burden will showcase the method’s utility for analyzing lipid and protein diffusion, ion channel insertion, gating, and the influence of biomimetic structures on membrane properties. Key techniques include fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and single-particle tracking (SPT). Additionally, challenges with single-molecule fluorescence, such as optical surface irregularities, will be addressed, along with strategies for minimizing background fluorescence and improving signal-to-noise ratios to maximize research potential. 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Fidabio In-Solution Binding Kinetics Using Flow Induced Dispersion Technology (FIDA) Based on “1st principle” biophysics, Flow Induced Dispersion Technology, FIDA, bridges the gap between structural and functional information of biomolecules. FIDA developed the capability of generating kon and koff rates in a fully in-solution assay without any immobilization to surfaces. In addition, we characterize your molecules by measuring sizing (hydrodynamic radius), aggregation, PDI, and viscosity. Contact us for an introduction to FIDA and how in-solution kinetics along with characterization in native conditions is made possible. Speaker Cameron Parast, Field Applications Scientist, Fidabio 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Thermo Fisher Scientific Pushing the Boundaries of What’s Possible with Cryo-Electron Microscopy Join Thermo Fisher Scientific to discover the newest advancements in enabling 3D visualizations of proteins and macromolecules and their interactions and spatial locations within the cell. See how you can achieve higher quality results, faster for single particle analysis and tomography. You will not want to miss the opportunity to be one of the first to hear about this exciting new technology. Speaker TBD

Force Spectroscopy and Micro-Rheology Assays in Cells, Organisms, and Biomolecular Condensates with SENSOCELL Optical Tweezers: An Applications Review Discover how the SENSOCELL optical tweezers system, equipped with a calibration-free, direct force sensor, opens new frontiers in Cellular and Molecular Biophysics. In this talk we will demonstrate how SENSOCELL enables precise quantification of mechanical properties in a variety of biological contexts, from biomolecular condensates and isolated cells to more complex systems such as embryos, Zebrafish and C. elegans organisms. We will show SENSOCELL’s capability to perform detailed mechanical analysis of the intracellular medium using Creep, Stress-Relaxation, and Active Rheology assays across multiple biological systems. By employing our automated TimSom Micro-Rheology routine, SENSOCELL accurately measures the complex viscoelastic modulus (G*) across a broad frequency range, spanning five orders of magnitude. This flexibility allows researchers to observe mechanical transitions in real-time, revealing key changes in cells or protein condensates that reflect biological processes like maturation or aging. The platform also provides unparalleled insights into cell membrane mechanics and molecular interactions through tether pulling, single molecule stretching, and particle-cell or cell-cell interaction assays. In our presentation, we will showcase applications that measure critical parameters such as membrane tension propagation, and receptor mediated adhesion forces. Finally, we will demonstrate how SENSOCELL, designed as a modular add-on for inverted microscopes, seamlessly integrates with fluorescence imaging techniques like Spinning Disk Confocal and epi fluorescence. This customizable setup allows researchers to capture high-resolution data and conduct complex analyses tailored to specific experimental needs. Equipped with a cutting-edge optical manipulation module and advanced force spectroscopy capabilities, the SENSOCELL platform is an invaluable asset for advancing research in Cell Mechanobiology, Molecular Biophysics, and Soft Matter Physics, and has already contributed to numerous high-impact scientific publications. Speaker Oriol Nos Aguilà, CEO, Impetux Optics SL

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