Biophysical Society Bulletin | April 2023

April 2023

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BPS Celebrates Black in Biophysics

“Outstanding” and “inspiring” were just two of the words used to describe the President’s Symposium “Black in Biophysics: The Next Generation” at BPS 2023. This session featured Kandice Tanner , Jerelle Joseph , Lisa Jones , and Aaron Streets delivering exceptional talks across a broad range of biophysical topics. Bil Clemons , session Co-Chair, opened the symposium with data, noting that Black faculty are underrepresented and Black members compose a very small percentage of BPS membership. BPS core values encompass diversi ty, equity, and inclusion, and the Society aims to be a change agent for members of historically underrepresented groups in the phys ical and life sciences. Now Past-President Gail Robertson created this symposium to foster inclusion and underscore our belief that diversity will be enhanced if we invest in the next generation. Her vision was amplified in closing remarks by session Co-Chair Theanne Griffith , who called upon BPS to act now with intentional leadership, to engage in outreach, and to invest financially in Black scientists in biophysics.

NEWLY LAUNCHED! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources The Biophysical Society is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of biophysicists. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core values of the Society along with scientific excellence, integrity and transparency, and community building.

As part of this commitment, and in an effort to better communicate this work, a dedicated page launched on the BPS website to highlight the Society’s work toward creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all biophysicists. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page features information about the Justice for Underrepresented Scholars Training in Biophysics (JUST-B) Poster Session, the Committee for Inclusion and Diversity’s work as part of the Amplifying the Alliance to Catalyze Change for Equity in STEM Success (ACCESS+) Community of Practice, profiles of biophysicists who belong to underrepresented groups, and the Society’s on-demand resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This page also houses additional resources curated from other organizations, to offer the greatest benefit to BPS members. Access these resources at www.biophysics.org/membership-communities.

Inside

2 4 6 8 9

9

Council Update

Grants & Opportunities

Stay Connected with BPS

10 14 16

Biophysicist in Profile

Annual Meeting Communities Important Dates

Public Affairs Publications Member Corner

Council Update

Nearly Normal but Change Is Afoot There was a bit of déjà vu and reminiscing as BPS Council

Annual Meeting Program Co-Chairs for 2023, Baron Chanda and Janice Robertson , and 2024, Ibrahim Cissé and Elizabeth Villa , attended Joint Council on the Saturday morning of the Annual Meeting to share updates on their programs and to participate in discussions about member-organized sessions and speaker policies. Maximizing opportunities for incorporat ing member suggestions into the program as well as ensuring diverse speakers and fresh voices at the Annual Meeting emerged as priorities. Joint Council also included the establishment of the 2023 Nominating Committee, which will be chaired by Margaret Cheung , review of the Subgroup report card, and approval of the revised Thematic Meeting proposal “Beyond Simple Models: The Consequences of Membrane Complexity in Living Systems,” which will be held in Denmark in 2025. At the conclusion of Joint Council, we disbursed to enjoy the rest of Subgroup Saturday, reunite with friends and col leagues, and make new connections while exploring what’s new in biophysics during the ensuing symposia, platforms, and poster sessions. On Tuesday, February 21, at the BPS Annual Business Meeting, we enjoyed a smooth transition of power as outgoing President Gail Robertson handed the gavel to incoming President Taekjip Ha . We reconvened on Wednesday, February 22, for New Council at the San Diego Convention Center where Ha shared his priorities focusing on diversity, global reach, and advocacy for the upcoming year. The 2023 and 2024 Annual Meeting Program Co-Chairs joined us once again, and we shared experiences, feedback, and highlights from the prior days. Some of the highlights are included in this issue of the BPS Bulletin. Council thanked Chanda and Robertson for all their efforts in creating and de livering an outstanding scientific program. Cissé and Villa pre sented their final program for 2024 to Council and received unanimous approval. Ha then made three proposals for new programming at the 2024 Annual Meeting. The proposals, all aimed at increasing speaker opportunities and research exposure, were approved by Council and will be put into effect pending technical implementation. Chair of the Publications Committee, Kathleen Hall , and BPS’s three Editors-in-Chief, Vasanthi Jayaraman , Jörg Enderlein , and Sam Safran from Biophysical Journal (BJ), Biophysical Reports , and The Biophysicist , respectively, were also in attendance at New Council. Hall reported on activities from the Publications Committee including a search to replace Safran as he ends his term with The Biophysicist . Hall also shared a report from scholarly publishing expert Raym Crow from Chain Bridge Group exploring the feasibility of various business models for converting BJ from a hybrid subscription journal to a fully

gathered at the Hilton Bayfront in San Diego, California on February 17 just before the 2023 Annual Meeting. We shared memories of the 2020 meeting, recalled Skyping Sunney Xie from China for the BPS Lecture, and remarked how only a few weeks later everything would change.

Taekjip Ha

Although we met in person for BPS 2022 in San Francisco, limited participation, cancelled sessions, and continued concerns about the recent Omicron wave and the health and safety of our colleagues impacted the event. Returning to San Diego this year with greatly increased attendance and almost a full return to regular programming felt “nearly normal,” as many attendees commented throughout the event. Fortunately, all members of Council were able to attend this year as well, which was outstanding as we had some sig nificant issues to tackle. Friday’s Joint Council began with light-hearted moments as then-President Gail Robertson recognized outgoing Council members Erin C. Dueber , Gilad Haran , Carolyn A. Moores , and Francesca M. Marassi , as well as Past President Frances Separovic , who were attending their final Council meeting. We also reviewed the Society’s new Strategic Plan and the process for engagement, communica tion, and evaluation as our Committees undertake the work of the plan. BPS Treasurer Samantha Harris reported on the finances of the Society, reminding Council that we have a deficit bud get for operations again this year due in part to significantly increased costs for the Annual Meeting and attendance num bers not yet equal to those of pre-pandemic years. Council engaged in a discussion about registration rates, other costs associated with attending the meeting, and contracted obli gations for future meeting sites. Balancing accessibility and affordability with program sustainability is challenging but critical. Council also discussed a report and presentation on the Soci ety’s current technology environment and use of technology in serving members and supporting programs. The report identified several areas, including data systems and digital presence, that need significant work to make BPS more effi cient, progressive, and capable of fulfilling our mission, vision, and business objectives. To that end, Council approved a stra tegic investment from reserves to improve BPS information technology over the next several years.

April 2023

2

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Council Update

Officers President Taekjip Ha President-Elect Gabriela Popescu Past-President Gail Robertson Secretary Erin Sheets Treasurer Samantha Harris Council Patricia Bassereau Margaret Cheung Henry Colecraft Martin Gruebele Kumiko Hayashi Syma Khalid Susan Marqusee Emmanuel Margeat Elizabeth Rhoades

Open Access journal and reviewing potential publishing arrangements under the various business models. Council noted BJ’s critical role in financial contributions to the Society and thanked the Committee for providing the report in support of informed decision making. Jayaraman, Enderlein, and Safran provided updates from the journals including special issues and new initiatives to grow submissions. Of particular note, BJ will once again be accepting Letters, and Biophysical Reports will be emphasized as an excellent option for publishing cutting-edge methods and techniques in biophysics. Over the three sessions of Council during the Annual Meeting, there was ample discussion,

debate, and generation of ideas. There was appreciation for the normal yet an appetite for change. We are investing in the future of BPS with essential improvements in infor mation technology, exciting expansions of Annual Meeting programming, and deliberate consideration of the role of BJ. With members at the forefront, leading an innovative global community in biophysics is our priority. We welcome your engagement and invite your feedback. Please reach out to us at any time at tjha@jhu.edu or jpesanelli@biophysics.org. — Taekjip Ha , President — Jennifer Pesanelli , Executive Officer

Kandice Tanner Valeria Vasquez Jing Xu Biophysical Journal Vasanthi Jayaraman Editor-in-Chief The Biophysicist Sam Safran Editor-in-Chief Biophysical Reports

Your Direct Connection to Top Biophysics Careers

Create a job seeker account with the BPS Career Center and join hundreds of dedicated biophysicists. Our job board is an online resource for professionals looking to network and advance their careers. We offer job seekers the tools needed to quickly find and apply for best jobs available only through the Biophysical Society.

Jörg Enderlein Editor-in-Chief

Society Office Jennifer Pesanelli Executive Officer Newsletter

Manage Resumes

Executive Editor Jennifer Pesanelli Managing Editor John Long Production Ray Wolfe Proofreader/Copy Editor The Biophysical Society Newsletter (ISSN 0006-3495) is published eleven times per year, January-December, by the Biophysical Society, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Distributed to USA members and other countries at no cost. Cana dian GST No. 898477062. Postmaster: Send address changes to Biophysical Society, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110, Rockville, MD 20852. Copyright © 2023 by the Biophysical Society. Darren Early Laura Phelan

Create Job Alerts

Company Directory

Resource Center

Create your account and post your resume at https://biophysics-jobs.careerwebsite.com/, and connect with hundreds of active employers!

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

April 2023

3

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysicist in Profile

Jerelle Joseph Area of Research Multiscale computer simulation approaches for understand ing and engineering biomolecular condensates

Institution Princeton University

At-a-Glance

Jerelle Joseph , Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University, grew up in Dominica, a Caribbean island nation. After taking to science at a young age, she pursued higher education at the University of the West Indies followed by the University of Cambridge. Now, Joseph’s group is focused on understanding and engineering intracellular compartments—specif ically biomolecular condensates—through the development of quantitative multiscale computer models.

Jerelle Joseph

Jerelle Joseph grew up in Dominica, an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Her mother worked as a nurse and her father was a jack-of-all-trades, with jobs including teacher, shopkeeper, politician, and fisherman. Joseph describes her parents as very intelligent and gifted people who had few op portunities, especially where higher education was concerned. “Importantly, they both placed a huge emphasis on education and stressed that my sisters and I did well at school. My fa ther pushed us to become independent, critical thinkers,” she shares. “For instance, although he was more than able to help us with our schoolwork, he rarely did. He would encourage us to ‘read a book’ and figure it out ourselves. My mom was very supportive of our academic development; I often recall during my exam period she would stay up late at night with me while I studied.” For the last two years of secondary school, students in the Caribbean choose the subjects that they will study for the Caribbean Examination Council exam, and Joseph was encour aged to study science. “Physics was my favorite science sub ject, particularly because my first physics teacher was amaz ing at explaining challenging concepts,” she says. “In college I fell in love with chemistry due to two fantastic chemistry teachers.” She was the first in her immediate family to attend university, enrolling at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados to study chemistry and mathe matics. “For my undergraduate thesis, I decided to do a theo retical chemistry project with Professor Sean McDowell at the UWI. It turned out to be an excellent fit for me,” Joseph states. “We were using quantum mechanical approaches to study a special type of noncovalent interaction—halogen bonding.” After completing her bachelor’s degree, she stayed on to work on a master’s degree with McDowell. “During my [master’s degree studies] I grew interested in bio-related research topics, and so when the time came to decide what I would read for a PhD, I gravitated towards projects on proteins,” she recalls. She attended the University of Cambridge for her PhD,

in the group of David Wales as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. “My PhD work was focused on studying protein folding. Specifical ly, I studied intrinsically disordered proteins and proteins that undergo large-scale structural rearrangements (metamorphic proteins). The conformational space of these types of proteins are traditionally difficult to explore via classical simulation approaches. I, therefore, developed computational biophysics techniques—within the potential energy landscape frame work—to interrogate these systems,” she explains. For her postdoctoral studies, she worked in the group of Rosana Collepardo-Guevara and as a research fellow at King’s College, Cambridge. “I studied how intracellular compart ments arise via phase separation. In contrast to organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria that are enclosed by membranes, the most widespread compartments inside cells completely lack physical membranes. These compartments, often referred to as biomolecular condensates, are thought to be formed and sustained via the physical chemistry of phase separation, analogous to oil droplets in water,” Joseph describes. “While the idea of phase separation inside cells is transformative, there are several open questions as it relates to the mechanistic details of this process in the context of spatiotemporal organization within cells. During my post doctoral studies, I developed multiscale computer simulation approaches to elucidate the physicochemical underpinnings of phase separation inside cells and to characterize biomolec ular condensates.” Joseph started her new position as an assistant professor in chemical and biological engineering at Princeton University in January 2023. “The Joseph Group’s research focuses on understanding and engineering intracellular compartments (specifically biomolecular condensates), through the devel opment of quantitative multiscale computer models,” she explains. “Particularly, we are interested in the structural and dynamic characterizing protein–RNA compartments: probing how these compartments form under periods of stress, how

April 2023

4

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysicist in Profile

the material properties of such compartments evolve over time and their implications in disease states, and how we can regulate the properties and functions of these structures with exquisite control.” “My academic career, thus far, has been largely guided by an eagerness to elucidate the underpinnings of biomolecular self-assembly and organization. These questions are both intriguing and challenging,” Joseph offers. “Interrogating such biological phenomena through the lens of physics has cultivated interdisciplinary and collaborative research spaces, which are breeding grounds for revolutionary discoveries. This inherent nature of biophysics is, in my opinion, quite compel ling.” “As a Black woman in biophysics, I am often the only Black person in many academic settings. In the early stages of my PhD, the lack of diversity in science had quite a negative impact on me—dealing with impostor syndrome and feelings of isolation,” she shares. “However, these transformative experiences drove me to identify tangible ways that I can contribute to promoting diversity and inclusion in academia. In my own experience, having supportive mentors has been piv otal in helping me navigate these and many other challenges in academia.” In order to help trainees from her own background to find supportive mentors, in 2017 she launched CariScholar, a program to connect Caribbean students to Caribbean mentors in their field of study. She also enjoys mentoring and work ing with students. “I find it particularly rewarding to witness students grow into their own and become more confident,

independent academics. I have benefited enormously from having excellent mentors; thus, aspiring to be a supportive mentor myself is one way of paying it forward.” Joseph attended her first in-person Biophysical Society An nual Meeting in 2022 in San Francisco, for which she received a travel award to offset some of her costs. “I think initiatives like this are very important in promoting equality, access, and inclusion in academia,” she says. “In addition to this, I received a Postdoctoral Award from the [Intrinsically Disordered Proteins] Subgroup. Awards such as this are instrumental in increasing the visibility of early career researchers.” The meeting was a wonderful experience for her. “I recall sitting in a room with so many people that inspired me; that was very special! It was incredibly invaluable to hear first hand accounts of people’s work, to interact with leaders and pioneers in biophysics, to share ideas, and forge new connec tions,” Joseph states. She has helpful advice for those just starting their careers in biophysics. “Read widely and deeply. The field is moving at such a fast pace that it is important to stay abreast with the literature. Find good mentors and find them early. Take time to vet potential advisors and mentors. Having a supportive mentor in your corner is invaluable!” Lastly, she suggests: “Talk to researchers with other expertise. It’s easy to stay in your own bubble but the most exciting work in biophysics happens at the intersection of disciplines. So talk to other researchers, forge collaborations, learn alternative perspec tives.”

Support Biophysics • Big or Small • Your DonationMakes a Difference Your tax-deductible donation will help make a difference to the biophysics community. Your donation will help support travel awards, student chapters, public affairs activities, and resources and programs for biophysicists. To donate, please visit www.biophysics.org/donate

April 2023

5

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Public Affairs

Call forBPSAmbassadorApplications Are you an advocate for biophysics education and knowledge sharing? Have you considered applying for the BPS Ambassador Program to put those skills into action? The BPS Ambassador Program was developed to help make biophysics a more dynamic, inclusive, and interdisciplinary community to better serve the needs of our international membership. Currently, BPS works with 12 Ambas sadors—4-member cohorts serving 3-year terms, representing biophysics in Argentina, Australia, China, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portu gal, Romania, Spain, and Turkey.

Ambassador Program

The Ambassador Program is a global network of BPS members who serve as local Society resources in their home countries or regions to promote the field and foster conversations around biophysics. As a BPS Ambassador, you will play a key role in con necting the Society and its membership with relevant local content, serve as BPS point-of-contact, and help lead discussions on issues of importance to science around the globe. Through this program, the Society hopes to grow the biophysics network by educating and inspiring others to pursue careers in biophysics and to further develop its advocacy efforts around the world. For the next class of Ambassadors (2024–2026), we are accepting applications from all international members residing in countries outside of Australia, China, India, Kenya, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. An ideal country Ambassador is a mid-career to senior scientist actively engaged in biophysics research and committed to remaining in the field for the dura tion of the Ambassadorship, an active paid member of the Society in good standing, able to attend the Annual Meeting at the start of their term, has working proficiency in English, and has a demonstrated ability to contribute to organizations or scien tific societies outside of their normal job duties. To learn more about the program, Ambassador eligibility, and benefits, please visit www.biophysics.org/outreach/ambassador-program. Empowering Biophysics Globally

White House Releases Proposed Budget for FY24 With the release of President Joe Biden ’s budget on March 9, the official appropriations season for fiscal year (FY) 2024 has begun. Biden continues to focus federal funds and resources on innovation and cutting-edge research. The proposed budget provides almost $21 billion in discretionary spending for CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act-authorized activities. This funding includes $1.2 billion for the CHIPS and Science Act-authorized Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships to help accelerate and translate scientific research into innovations, industries,

Our Capabilities plan and 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan for Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Security. The budget also includes $400 million in new discretionary resources within the administration for strate gic preparedness and response to prepare for pandemics and biological threats, as well as key discretionary investments for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Author ity and the Strategic National Stockpile to support advanced development and procurement of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic capabilities against known and unknown high-prior ity threats. The topline increases outlined for the primary grant funding agencies are: • National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $48.5 billion (+2%), • Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at $2.5 billion (+66%), • NSF at $11.3 billion (+14%), and • DOE Office of Science at $8.8 billion (+9%).

and jobs, as well as $300 million for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Regional Innovation Engines program to galvanize use-inspired research, technology translation, and workforce development. Within the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, the budget also supports cutting- edge research in artificial intelligence, quantum information sciences, microelectronics, and isotope production at the national laboratories and universities. The budget includes $20 billion in mandatory funding for Department of Health and Human Services public health agencies in support of the administration’s pandemic preven tion and preparedness and biodefense priorities, as outlined in the 2021 American Pandemic Preparedness: Transforming

April 2023

6

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Public Affairs

NIH Releases Public Access Plan for Public Feedback The NIH supports principles of transparency and accessibility in NIH-funded research. As such, NIH notes its support of the August 2022 OSTP Memorandum directing federal agencies to expedite access to results of federally funded research. The NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research (NIH’s Public Access Plan) provides a roadmap for how NIH plans to enhance access to research products, namely scholarly publications and scientific data, and ensure these research products are useful and accessible to the public. NIH’s Public Access Plan is now available for public comment. Comments will be accepted until April 24 and can be submitted through the comment portal found at https:/osp.od.nih.gov. Questions may be sent to SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov. In addition, several NIH leaders released a new Under the Poliscope blog through NIH’s Office of Science Policy (OSP) titled “Advancing the Promise of Open Science: We Want to Hear from You.” Follow OSP on Twitter for up-to-date information: @NIH_OSP.

NIHCalls for Input onPostdoctoral ResearchTrainingandCareerProgression On February 14, NIH issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the extramural research community on the current state of postdoctoral training within the biomedi cal research enterprise. The RFI, “Re-envisioning U.S. Postdoctoral Research Train ing and Career Progression within the Biomedical Research Enterprise,” asks for input on factors influencing postdoctoral training, including fundamental issues and challenges that inhibit recruitment, retention, and overall quality of life of postdoctoral trainees in academic research. NIH plans to use the comments as a guide in the development of recommen dations by the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director, an advisory group that provides advice on matters pertinent to NIH mission responsibilities. The Biophysical Society submitted comments and advocated for members, particularly recent and current postdoctoral trainees, postdoctoral office leaders, and graduate students considering becoming postdocs. Those parties were encour aged to provide direct feedback on their experiences.

Numbers By the

The 2023 BPS Annual Meeting welcomed attendees representing 50 different countries.

The Biophysical Society is grateful to its Industry Partners.

For Industry Partner Membership information, contact alevine@biophysics.org. SILVER GOLD

PLATINUM

April 2023

7

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Publications

Know the Editor Dylan Owen

King’s College London Editor, Cell Biophysics Biophysical Journal

Dylan Owen

What are you currently working on that excites you? We’re working on community-based resources for super-res olution, single-molecule imaging data. Collecting the data isn’t too complex, but it is time consuming. Moving from cell lines, which are quite uniform, to more physiologically relevant primary cells, which are much more diverse, requires greater data volumes. There is a lot of work going on now into faster imaging and automated imaging. We’re trying a different approach, similar to the concept behind distributed computing projects. If we can pool individuals’ data, devel op ways to store it, share it, and compare it, we can build large diverse data sets. We can then explore the relationship between nanoscale protein organization across proteins, cell types, species, and individuals. This could make single-mol ecule imaging into an “-omics” approach akin to genomics or proteomics. How do you stay on top of all the latest developments in your field? That’s a really good question. Conference attendance has been very difficult the last few years, not just because of the pandemic but also with having two young kids at home now. I used to travel to as many conferences as I could but now I really have to prioritize. On top of that, searching for and reading papers is usually the first thing to get cut when other work starts to pile up. Finally, the rise of preprints has made it more difficult, too, as there are now large preprint servers to keep up with, in addition to traditional journals. Thus, I don’t have a good answer really. Lots of papers reach me through Twitter, which has been a great help but does tend to create bias in favor of people who take the time to advertise and promote their own work. Other than that, automatic journal table of contents emails from a select list of journals work well, as does word of mouth from members of my group and other colleagues.

Editor’s Pick Biophysical Reports MeltR Software Provides Facile Determination of Nucleic Acid Thermodynamics Jacob P. Sieg, Sebastian J. Arteaga, Brent M. Znosko, Philip C. Bevilacqua “Melting curves provide the input data for the thermodynam ic parameters used in algorithms that predict nucleic acid structure and behavior. Analysis of melting curves is complex, requires numerous arbitrary choices by the user, and is cum bersome to perform. Here, the researchers introduce MeltR, a replacement and improvement on the melting-curve fitting software MeltWin. MeltR uses a facile R interface, auto mates data analysis, and provides analysis that is simple to distribute and reproduce. Lastly, MeltR can be improved and redistributed by the community without restriction.” Version of Record Published March 1, 2023 DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.bpr.2023.100101

FollowBPS Journals on Twitter @BiophysJ @BiophysReports @BiophysicistJ

April 2023

8

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Member Corner

Members in the News

Three Biophysical Society members were named 2023 Sloan Research Fellows by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. For Chemistry: Giulia Palermo , University of California, Riverside and member since 2014;

For Neuroscience: John Jimah , Princeton University and member since 2018; and For Physics: Alison Patteson , Syracuse University and member since 2021.

Giulia Palermo

John Jimah*

Alison Patteson

*Photo courtesy of Todd Reichart, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University

Grants & Opportunities The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research – Emerging Leader Award This foundation supports grants of $750,000 over three years for innovative cancer research from the next gener ation of leaders. Who can apply: Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree; must be employed by a U.S. or Cana dian non-profit academic institution; and must be three to eight years from the start of an independent faculty appointment. Visit the website for full eligibility require ments. Deadline: Letter of intent due by May 1, 2023; full applications by invitation only. Website: https:/ themarkfoundation.org/emerging-lead er-award-2/

Benjamin Franklin Medals The Franklin Institute invites nominations for Benjamin Franklin Medals, presented in the following disciplines of science and engineering: Chemistry, Civil and Mechani cal Engineering, Computer and Cognitive Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Electrical Engineering, Life Science, and Physics. Who can apply: This is an international competition for individuals whose work has had a significant impact on the aforementioned fields of science and engineering and is not restricted by specific theme or topic. Deadline: Nominations are accepted at any time through out the year. The process from nomination to award typically takes a minimum of two years. Website: https:/www.fi.edu/en/awards/benjamin-frank lin-medals-nominations

Student Spotlight

Juliet Obi Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy University of Maryland, Baltimore What skill have you learned in your studies that you find useful in other aspects of your life? I have found problem solving to be a very valuable skill that is useful in other aspects of my life. Throughout my PhD studies, I have learned how to approach any problem I encounter as an opportunity to find logical solutions that will advance my knowledge and improve my expertise in my field. I find this very useful in other aspects of my life because it helps me channel my energy into finding creative solutions to problems I encounter.

Juliet Obi

April 2023

9

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Annual Meeting

Scientists from over 50 countries arrived in San Diego, California, for five days of learning, sharing their latest research in biophysics, reconnecting with colleagues, and making new connections. Baron Chanda and Janice Robertson, both from Washington University in St. Louis were recognized at the Awards Ceremony on Monday evening for their efforts as Program Committee Co-Chairs.

There were sessions for every interest, beginning with 18 Saturday Subgroup symposia, 24 Annual Meeting symposia, 4 workshops, and 64 platforms, all highlighting the latest research topics and biophysical techniques.

Symposia &Workshops

Ardem Patapoutian, Scripps Research/HHMI, delivered his presentation, “How Do You Feel? The Molecules that Sense Touch,” at the BPS Lecture on Monday, February 20. To view the BPS Lecture online, visit www.biophysics.org/video-library/2023-biophysical-society-lecture.

BPS Annual Lecture

GalaxyTablet and Fitbit RaffleWinners

Eliza White, Brigham Young University

Grace Brannigan, Rutgers Univeristy

Career Programs

There were 27 career and education-related sessions for attendees at all career levels, in addition to one-on one resume critiquing and career counseling.

April 2023

10

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Annual Meeting

The over 600 daily poster presentations were overflowing with scientists from around the globe wanting to hear about the latest research spanning the interdisciplinary field of biophysics. Over 500 attendees presented their research in the daily platform sessions.

Poster Presentations

1 st Place OmpF Biomimetic Membranes for Breathable Protective Fabrics with Skin-like Structure and Function BehzadMehrafrooz

2 nd Place ConnectedThrough Our Heartstrings Alexa R. Price, Emmaleigh N. Hancock, andMatthew A. Caporizzo

3 rd Place The Heart of Science HongyinWang

The Biophysical Society Art of Science Image Contest received 25 submissions. The 10 finalists were displayed at the Annual Meeting, where attendees voted on their top two images. Congratulations to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. A special thanks to Chroma Technology for sponsoring the contest and prizes. Visit the BPS website for the full descriptions of the images.

Image Contest

Exhibitors had a full three days of interactions with attendees, giving product demonstrations to show the latest lab equipment, discussing scientific publications, and introducing new technologies. There were 20 one-on-one exhibitor presentations held to provide more in-depth information along with equipment demonstrations at the Annual Meeting.

Exhibits

April 2023

11

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Annual Meeting

2023 Student Research Achievement Award Poster Competition Winners The 36 winners of the annual Student Research Achievement Awards (SRAA) were recognized at the 67th Biophysical Soci ety Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony on February 20, 2023. These students were selected by judges from the Society’s Subgroups for their outstanding presentations during the poster competition. A total of 127 students participated in the competition. The winners are: Bioenergetics, Mitochondria, and Metabolism Subgroup Yukai Huang , University of California, Irvine, USA Metabolic Profiling of Transferred Mitochondria Using FLIM Intensity Based Image Segmentation (FIBIS) Bioengineering Subgroup Chu Zheng , Stanford University, USA A Unifying Electrostatic Basis for Designing Enzymes Faster Than Natural Ones Peiyi Zhang , Purdue University, USA Deep Learning Driven Adaptive Optics for Single Molecule Localization Microscopy Biological Fluorescence Subgroup Iulia Carabadjac , University of Freiburg, Austria Quantifying the Interactions of Micellar Drug Delivery System Components with Albumin Using Time-Resolved Fluorescent Method Rohit M. Vaidya , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Probing Synaptic Distribution and Arrangement of Native Surface AMPARs in Mouse Brain Slices with 3D Super-Resolution Microscopy Wenyan Guan , University of California, Merced, USA The Interaction of CC Chemokine Binding Protein VCCI with CCL17(TARC) Biopolymers in Vivo Subgroup Jhullian J. Alston , Washington University in St. Louis, USA Combining Simulations and Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Understand SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein RNA Interaction Jennifer Simien , University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA Folding and Threading of Leptin as a Model for Pierced Lasso Topologies

Channels, Receptors, and Transporters Subgroup Miaomiao He , Stony Brook University, USA Two Gates Mediate NMDAR Activity and Are Under Subunit-Specific Regulation Simone Pelizzari , Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria Identifying the CaV1.1 Voltage-Sensing Domains Involved in Channel Gating and Excitation Contraction Coupling Wietske E. Tuinte , Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria STAC Proteins Inhibit the Voltage Dependent Inactivation of L-Type Calcium Channels Cryo-EM Subgroup Przemyslaw Dutka , California Institute of Technology, USA Structure of Anabaena Flos-Aquae Gas Vesicles Revealed by Cryo-ET Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Subgroup Ignacio Sanchez Burgos , University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Condensate’s Ageing Modelled Through Molecular Dynamics: Protein Structural Transitions Critically Transform the Network Connectivity and Viscoelasticity of RNA-Binding Protein Condensates Shraddha KC , University of Wyoming, USA Functional Synergy between Disordered Proteins and Sugars in Desiccation Protection Macromolecular Machines and Assemblies Subgroup Adam Grosvirt-Dramen , University of California, Irvine, USA Stimuli Responsive Hierarchical Assembly of Supramolecular Conductive Fibers from Coiled-Coil Building Blocks Juliet O. Obi , University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA Inter-Domain Coordination Essential for Dengue Virus Non-Structural (5) NS5 Interaction with Stem Loop A (SLA) Nidhi Walia , Florida State University, USA Understanding the Effects of Higher-Order Assembly on the Structure of the Sulfite Reductase Mechanobiology Subgroup Jana Sipkova , University of Cambridge, United Kingdom The Mechanical Regulation of Eph/Ephrin Signaling in the Developing Brain Membrane Fusion, Fission, and Traffic Subgroup Lisa Hua , University of Freiburg, Austria Vesicle Budding Caused by Lysolipid-Induced Asymmetry Stress Membrane Structure and Function Subgroup Jennifer A. Rybak , University of Tennessee Knoxville, USA Inhibition of EGFR via an Acidity-Responsive Transmembrane Peptide Ligand

April 2023

12

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Annual Meeting

Single-Molecule Forces, Manipulation, and Visualization Subgroup Jasmine Cubuk , Washington University in St. Louis, USA Single-Molecule Spectroscopy of the SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein Theory and Computation Subgroup Karen L. Lopez , University of California, Irvine, USA Fluorescent Single Particle Tracking Enables High Sensitivity Vis cometry Measurements of Micro-Volume Samples Mariia Borbuliak , University of Calgary, Canada Cardiomyocyte Sarcolemma Modelling and Lipid-Protein Interac tions Angelin Mary Philip , Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar The Unique Q493R Mutation Drives Interfacial Interactions in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant S1-RBD:ACE2-Complex UndergraduatePoster AwardCompetitionWinners The six winners of the annual Undergraduate Poster Award Competition (UPAC) were recognized at the 67th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony on February 20, 2023. These students were selected among 62 participants for their outstanding undergraduate research and presenta tions during the poster competition. The winners are: Justus Gabriel , The United States Military Academy, USA Tuning the Size and Solvent-Exposed Hydrophobicity of a Pore-Forming Peptide Eliminates Its Cytotoxicity Using a Natural Product Kemal Demirer , University of Michigan, USA Investigating the Regulation and Function of Bacterial Quaternary Ammonium Compound Exporters Constance Kraay , Harvard University, USA Investigating the Mechanism of Suppression of Human γ D-Crys tallin Aggregation by Myo-Inositol Photo-Activated Adenylyl Cyclase from Oscillatoria Acuminata Catherine Ji , Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Measurements and Simulations of Light-Activated Matter Thembalami Dube , Swarthmore College, USA In Vivo Disruption of Nuclear HSATII RNA Biomolecular Condensates Madeeha I. Ali , Stony Brook University, USA From Bluf Photoreceptor to Camp: An Insight into

Kevin Jose Cheng , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Lactaderhin’s C1 Domain Restricts Protein’s Ensemble as It Binds to Charged Membranes Chelsea Brown , Warwick University, United Kingdom Supramolecular Organisation and Dynamics of Mannosylated Phosphatidylinositol Lipids in the Mycobacterial Plasma Membrane Membrane Transport Subgroup Marton A. Simon , Semmelweis University, Hungary Understanding Impact of ΔF508 and G551D CFTR Mutations on CFTR/PKA-C Interaction Rebecca J. Prest , University of Notre Dame, USA Structure-Function Analysis of the Dual Functioning Mycobacterial Virulence Factors ESPE and ESPF Nicole Voce , Northeastern University, USA Experimentally Characterizing the Origins of Confinement Effects in Membranes Motility and Cytoskeleton Subgroup Clinton A. Gabel , Purdue University, USA Breaking Down the Haus: Molecular Insights into Branching Microtubule Nucleation Alma I. Plaza-Rodriguez , Johns Hopkins University, USA Modeling Contractility Kit-Mediated Cytoskeletal Network Assembly Multiscale Genome Organization Subgroup Christopher Playter , University of Tennessee, USA Selection and Induction? Using ITGB4 to Track the Role of Selection and Constriction-Induced Changes in Phenotype and 3D Genome Structure Shifts after Constricted Migration Nanoscale Approaches to Biology Subgroup Irene Gialdini , Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Germany Combining Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Lifetime Imaging to Study the Dynamics of Drug Delivery Nanoparticles in Mucus Sangwoo Park , Cornell University, USA Mucins Form a Nanoscale Physical Barrier Against Immune Cell Attack Physical Cell Biology Subgroup Jordie M. Kamuene , Northeastern University, USA Optogenetic Regulation of PIP2 Alters the Voltage-Dependence of Activation and Fast Inactivation of Skeletal Muscle NaV1.4 Channels Aidana Amangeldina , ASTAR, Singapore Adaptations of Proteins, RNA and DNA to Extreme Temperatures, Salinity and pH

April 2023

13

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Communities

Ranajeet Ghose Public Affairs Committee (PAC)

Ranajeet Ghose

Is this your first volunteer position for BPS? If not, what other positions have you held? This is my first volunteer position with the Biophysical Society. Why do you volunteer? Scientific societies like BPS play a critical role within the global scientific community. The Annual Meetings provide a venue for scientists at various career stages, from diverse disci plines, and from different backgrounds to discuss science, share their scientific journeys, and learn from each other. In teractions within the Society enable people with complemen tary, but divergent, expertise to come together, providing the means to tackle otherwise intractable problems. My roughly decade-long involvement with BPS has shown me that the Society does this better than most other scientific groupings that I am, or have been, a part of. I have benefited tremen dously, on both a scientific and a personal level, from BPS. Therefore, I felt that it was time to give back in a small way. When the then-President of the Society, Cathy Royer , whom I have known and admired for many years, suggested that I consider serving in some role, I jumped at the idea. What has been a highlight from your volunteer experience? My time as a member of the BPS Public Affairs Committee (PAC) began in 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PAC members felt that organizing a session during the 2021 BPS Annual Meeting, to be held virtually, about the lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic to better prepare for future ones, would be especially timely. The session, which I moderated, brought together a panel of experts, including a structural virologist with interest in coronaviruses, a microbiologist at the forefront of therapeu tic strategies, an industrial researcher involved in vaccine development, and a social scientist who studies the impact of disparities in the availability of healthcare. It was a challenge to plan the session by connecting scientists across three different continents (and time zones) with different levels of internet connectivity. However, thanks to the hard work and behind-the-scenes efforts of BPS’s fearless Director of Advo cacy & Public Affairs, Leann Fox , the session was a resounding success. I felt that I learned a lot, and I hope that the audience did too.

Do you have advice for others who might be thinking about volunteering? I would say that one should absolutely do it. It would be an extremely rewarding and gratifying experience. When not volunteering for BPS, what do you work on? My laboratory uses a variety of experimental and computa tional approaches to study the structure, interactions, and regulation of protein kinases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We are especially interested in understanding the mecha nisms through which “unconventional” protein kinases are activated and are able to phosphorylate their substrates using atypical structural scaffolds.

Give the Gift of Membership To give the gift of BPS membership, visit www.biophysics.org/giftmembership

April 2023

14

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Communities

Call for Papers

Special Issue: Biophysics of Immune Cell Signaling

Editors:

Diane Lidke, University of New Mexico Shalini Low-Nam, Purdue University

Deadline for submission: April 30, 2023

For more information, visit www.biophysj.org.

Call for Networking Events

Are you looking to connect with fellow biophysicists? Do you have an idea for a networking event? The Biophysical Society can help! BPS is calling for Networking Events to be held in 2023. BPS will support both virtual and in-person local Networking Events—the format will be up to you! Past events have included career panels, trivia nights, and programs of short talks from different institutions. The goal is to bring biophysicists together in an interesting way.

Benefits of Hosting a Virtual BPS Networking Event: • BPS will provide the Zoom virtual platform for the meeting and monitoring assistance on the day of the meeting, if it is held between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM USA Eastern Time • BPS will help you advertise the meeting (social media, emails, BPS Bulletin , etc.) • You can attract attendees from all over the world to get together on one topic!

Benefits of Hosting an In-Person BPS Networking Event: • BPS will reimburse you up to $500 for the costs associated with hosting the meeting • BPS will help you advertise the meeting (social media, emails, BPS Bulletin , etc.) • You can meet and exchange ideas with others at your institution and neighboring communities!

All current Society members are eligible to apply. BPS will be accepting networking event proposals for events occurring in August 2023 and beyond. The networking event submission site will be open March 15–April 30, 2023 . Applicants will be notified of the results in June. For more information about the proposal requirements, and to view past and upcoming networking events, visit https:/www.biophysics.org/networking-events.

April 2023

15

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

Biophysical Society

5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110 Rockville, Maryland 20852

April 2023

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E B I O P H Y S I C A L S O C I E T Y

BPS Important Dates

Canterbury Thematic Meeting Early Registration Deadline April 10, 2023

Society Awards Submission Deadline May 1, 2023

Tahoe Proton Reaction BPS Conference Early Abstract Deadline May 8, 2023 Tahoe Proton Reaction BPS Conference Early Registration Deadline May 31, 2023

Newly Added Resources! Take advantage of BPS On-Demand Resources today! Explore a library of on-demand webinars and videos with exclusive content to boost your knowledge and skills.

Voting Opens for BPS Elections June 1, 2023

biophysics.org/ ondemand

Please visit www.biophysics.org for a complete list of upcoming BPS Important Dates.