Biophysical Society Bulletin | November 2022

November 2022

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

Special President’s Symposium at BPS 2023 Black in Biophysics: The Next Generation Sunday, February 19, 10:45 am , USA Pacific

We are taking the opportunity to highlight Black scientists and honor Black History Month in the United States and elsewhere. At our Annual Meeting, BPS aims to foster inclusion and the momentum inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Featured are four stars from different fields, selected to attract a broad, interdisciplinary audience from across our Society. We invite all attendees to learn about exciting new developments in biophysics and celebrate diversity at this special symposium. Lisa Jones Jerelle Joseph Aaron Streets Kandice Tanner

Biophysical Society Names Fellows for 2023 The Biophysical Society is proud to announce that it has named seven distinguished members as its 2023 Class of Fellows. This award is given to Society members who have demonstrated sustained excellence in science and have contributed to the expansion of the field of biophysics. The newest honorees will be recognized during the Biophysical Society’s 67th Annual Meeting in San Diego. The 2023 Fellows are:

Nancy Carrasco , Vanderbilt University, USA, for her broad-reaching studies of the sodium/iodide transporter, including cloning and structure determination together with its roles in physiol ogy and disease, and her impressive service to the biophysics community.

Ka Yee C. Lee , University of Chicago, USA, for her impactful and creative contributions to our under standing of the structure and stability of lipid mem branes and their interac tions with proteins. Daniel L. Minor, Jr. , University of California, San Francisco, USA, for his influential contributions to the structural understand ing of ion channel modula tion by proteins and small molecules. Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, for his sustained contributions to spectroscopy, from heme proteins through fluorescent proteins to the interaction of proteins with nanoparticles.

Boris Martinac , Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Australia, for his pioneering recording of bacterial ion channels in their native membranes and the dis covery of mechanosensitive MscL/S currents, ultimately defining protein, gene, crys tal structure, and beyond. William E. Moerner , Stanford University, USA, for achieving the first opti cal detection and spectros copy of a single molecule in condensed phases and for establishing optical study of single-molecules for broad applications in biophysics. Catherine A. Royer , Rensse laer Polytechnic Institute, USA, for her fundamental contributions to the under standing and exploitation of pressure effects on protein conformation, and the bio physical mechanisms under lying transcriptional control of cell state transitions.

Nancy Carrasco

Ka Yee C. Lee

Boris Martinac

President’s Message Biophysicist in Profile Inside

2 4 6 8 9

Public Affairs Publications

Daniel L. Minor, Jr.

William E. Moerner

Career Development

10 17 17 18 19 20

Annual Meeting Member Corner

Grants and Opportunities

Communities In Memoriam

Important Dates

Catherine A. Royer

Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus

President’s Message

On the Horizon: The 2023 BPS Annual Meeting

Time is rocketing by as I find myself well into the second half of my term as president of the Biophysical Society. At this time of year, the BPS leadership and staff have many balls in the air as we look forward to Fall Council in November and the Annual Meeting in February. In my lab, abstract submission was the

having an out-of-body experience on stage. I still recommend overpreparing to my trainees to counter the nerves. Even tually a few minutes of slow breathing will likely suffice just before ascending the stairs to The Platform (cue scary music). If you have read my previous President’s Messages in the BPS Bulletin , you know I like to poll the Twitterverse for material and inspiration. I posed the following: The terror of your first talk; awkward or awe-inspiring moments with famous scientists; social and cultural challenges; lifelong friendships established; mentors found; embarrassments and blunders: What are your remarkable meeting experiences? Tweets arrived reporting all manner of ill-timed bodily malfunctions. I will spare you the graphic details but assure you there were some impressive game-time recoveries just moments before the 10-minute timer started. I suspect many others kept their experiences to themselves (“too cringy to share”). Mike Puljung (@MikePul jung) recalled his first poster presentation: “I explained Bertil Hille ’s own work to him (badly) and didn’t realize who he was until he was walking away.” Many responses related to the importance of networking, at all professional levels. Some trainees reported that a com pliment on their work or inquiry about their plans post-grad uation sparked events leading to their current postdoctoral positions. Faculty or lab directors may not remember these moments until much later, when the trainee shares how important that “hello” was. A little kindness goes a long way, even for those at the faculty level. Pablo Peixoto (@peixotolab) reported, “[She] shook my hand at a ‘Meet a Mentor’ event. I felt like I belonged.” Claudia Moreno (@Cladoni) tweeted, “After I gave my first talk as an Assistant Prof, we all climbed in a bus to go to a restaurant, I was at the back, when this badass scientist got into the bus, looked at me, and said out loud ‘I LOVED your talk!’ Probably she doesn’t remember but I sure do!!!” I send my trainees to the meeting on a quid pro quo basis: They must find a way to meet the heads and members of labs doing work they admire. I guess it seems terrifying, but I am always surprised by how few people come up to me and say, “I’d like to introduce myself.” Nothing is more flattering to an established scientist than “Can you tell me more about the work in your lab?” or “I wonder if I could share with you a recent exciting finding?” Try it! We won’t bite! Typically, in the ensuing conversation, we both learn something new. And isn’t that the point? As the years accumulate and the mental Rolodex overflows, it may take two (or more) meetings for the more established among us to remember a new

Gail Robertson

week’s dominant focus. The abstract deadline is a great mo tivator, with the pace of data collection and analysis acceler ating as we approach October 1. There are countless teaching moments: How do you write an abstract that is compelling but does not overpromise? What makes an effective title? And, that all important question, what category should I re quest? (The answer is always Voltage-gated K Channels, even if you’re studying something else.) It is noteworthy how many funding mechanisms support trainee participation at the Annual Meeting. NIH T32 slots often come with travel support, as do independent train ee fellowships—something all eligible students should be encouraged to pursue. My own institution offers travel funds to graduate students and faculty on a biannual basis; it is an underutilized resource here and perhaps elsewhere as well. BPS provides about $100,000 per year in financial support for around 200 attendees at all career levels. Members with de pendent care needs can apply for Family Care Grants which, if awarded, will enable two of my lab members to travel with heroic grandmothers. Whitney Stevens-Sostre , founder of Black in Biophysics, stepmom, and mother-to-be, says, “Childcare expenses can be crippling. I am grateful that BPS provides financial support so we can continue our professional devel opment without feeling that we must choose between our families and our careers.” Discussions of abstracts bring about excitement and anxiety related to presenting. For some the idea of a platform talk elicits fears of judgement by others, a panic attack, or dying. To many trainees, some presenters seem 100% confident, reporting their results with a steady voice and even a bit of charisma. But under that self-assured facade lies a hero who has wrestled the demons of stage fright and conquered mil lennia of evolutionary pressures telling us to get the hell out of there! When I walked between the hotel and the conven tion center to give my first platform talk, I clearly remember weighing with intention the relative merits of getting hit by a bus instead. Fortunately, I had overprepared, or “spinalized,” my presentation so that I appeared rather calm despite

November 2022

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

President’s Message

Officers President

Gail Robertson President-Elect Taekjip Ha Past-President Frances Separovic Secretary Erin Sheets Treasurer Samantha Harris Council Patricia Bassereau Henry Colecraft Erin C. Dueber Martin Gruebele Gilad Haran Kumiko Hayashi Syma Khalid Francesca Marassi Susan Marqusee Carolyn A. Moores

acquaintance. But then, it’s a relationship. Don’t be put off if you need to introduce your self a second time. You never know when the resulting conversation might give you a new idea for your science, find a champion, or even change your life’s trajectory. I want to provide a sneak peek at something new and exciting happening at the upcoming Annual Meeting. It is the 2023 President’s Symposium entitled “Black in Biophysics: The Next Generation,” chaired by not-nearly old-timers Bil Clemons (Caltech) and Theanne Griffith (University of California, Davis) and featuring the work of up-and-comers Jerelle Joseph (Princeton University), Lisa Jones (Uni versity of California, San Diego), Aaron Streets (University of California, Berkeley), and Kandice Tanner (National Institutes of Health). A first of its kind, the symposium will complement other cultural activities happening around the world in February, Black History Month. We expect a robust turnout from a membership eager to see what is at the cutting edge of compu tational approaches to condensate biology, mass spectrometry analysis of in-cell protein interactions in complex systems, multimodal precision measurements of single cells, and the biophysics of metastasis. Spotlighting these emerging scientific leaders reflects BPS’s dedication to promoting the professional

development of underrepresented individuals within our membership, inspiring the next generation of scientists, and contributing to positive cultural change. It is not hard for me to imagine leaving Mad ison in February for the BPS Annual Meeting in San Diego. Good weather notwithstanding, there are so many reasons to attend. For Anto nio Pantazis (@ntonioPantazis), “Just spending five days among wonderful humans (from the biggest prof to the greenest student) who speak the same ‘language,’ share the same passion, experience the same joys & frustra tions, recharges & inspires me for the rest of the year.” The annual Biophysical Society Lecture by Nobel laureate Ardem Patapoutian (@Ardemp) is also sure to inspire, with his ac counts of escaping war-torn Lebanon and later unraveling the secrets of a tiny, mechanosen sitive ion channel named Piezo. Jörg Enderlein (@JoergEnderlein), editor-in-chief of Biophysi cal Reports , tweeted his enthusiasm: “The BPS Annual Meeting is perhaps the most important international conference for biophysicists on this planet.” The Twitterverse responded: “In the universe, man. In the universe.” Prepare to lock in your coordinates, and I will see you in San Diego in February. — Gail Robertson , President

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

Jörg Enderlein Editor-in-Chief

Society Office Jennifer Pesanelli Executive Officer Newsletter

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 © 2022 by the Biophysical Society. Darren Early Laura Phelan

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

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

November 2022

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

Leland P. Vickers Areas of Research Thermodynamics of protein stability and microcalorimetry

Institution Retired from Bayer Animal Health US

At-a-Glance

Leland P. Vickers enrolled in a biochemistry graduate program in the early 1970s, where he first encountered biophysicists. He came to realize biophysics was the field for him and pursued a ten ure-track academic career for several years before accepting a position with a veterinary pharma ceutical company. For the next 30 years, he worked in research management, quality management, and regulatory affairs for three different veterinary drug companies.

Leland P. Vickers

Leland P. Vickers grew up on the east coast of the United States, with time spent in Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Maryland. His family moved frequent ly, but he was able to complete all four years of high school in Wicomico County, Maryland. He completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Harding College in Arkansas. This was a predominantly undergraduate school, but he was able to conduct a small research project related to reaction kinetics for a Diels-Alder mechanism. Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he decided to move back closer to home for grad uate school. At this point in time Vickers knew he wanted to study biochemistry, with an emphasis on physical chemistry and mathemat ics, but he was not aware of the existence of the field of biophys ics. “I visited and interviewed with two graduate programs, and then decided to enroll in the biochemis try PhD program at the University of Virginia, located in the School of Medicine,” he shares. “Arriving on the grounds in July 1972, I was welcomed into a department culture that was heavily invested in biophysical research.” The department was about evenly divided between research programs in lipids and membranes and programs in proteins and enzymes. Vickers was accepted into the research group of Gary K. Ackers . Ackers was a past president of the Bio physical Society, as was the department chair, Tom Thompson . “Through their encouragement, I joined the Biophysical Soci ety as a student member in 1972. Yes, that means that this year is my 51st year as a Society member!” The Ackers group worked closely with the research group of Rodney L. Biltonen , Vickers in his last year of graduate school, 1976, in the Ackers lab.

and Vickers and the other graduate students benefitted from shared journal clubs and research discussion meetings, par ticularly focused on microcalorimetry and the thermodynam ics of binding reactions and conformational transitions. Early in his second year of graduate school, with the encourage ment of Ackers, Vickers decided to move his degree program into the Interdisciplinary Program in Biophysics. He defended his dissertation and completed all the requirements for a PhD in biophysics in February 1976. Vickers remarks, “One thing that I greatly appreciated about the guidance from Ackers was that he always encouraged his students to read and think very widely. Graduate school was best used as a time to learn in a variety of areas. Of course, one must be focused on a specific research project for the dissertation, but not to the exclusion of other interests. Fortu nately, I was able to leave Ackers’ group with publications from my dissertation, but also with two small notes that were published in related areas.” Ackers encouraged his students to attend scientific meetings and present their research findings. He particularly encouraged attendance at Biophysical Society meetings, and he was able to find travel funds for many of the graduate students to attend each year. Following completion of his PhD, Vickers started a three-year National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, in the research group of Howard K. Schachman . He moved from working on one large, multi-subunit enzyme in the Ackers laboratory to a different allosteric enzyme in the Schachman group. Vickers spent those years learning new techniques and applying familiar techniques to new questions, and he recalls that the late 1970s were great years to be in the Bay Area to hear the latest research results, news, and seminars by all the people visiting from week to week. “It was sometimes diffi cult to find the time to work in my own laboratory space on my own projects. Schachman had made a personal decision

November 2022

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

many years earlier to put his available time and energy into supporting the American Society of Biological Chemists (now the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biolo gy), even though his research was predominantly biophysical in focus. However, he encouraged me to continue attending Biophysical Society meetings and participating in this society,” he explains. At the end of the fellowship, Vickers accepted a tenure-track position in the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State University. His research focused on the thermodynamics of conformational transitions in large allosteric enzymes and relied primarily on microcalorimetry. After six years as an as sistant professor, Vickers decided to make a change in career direction and he accepted a research position with a large veterinary pharmaceutical company that had a major drug development project for a recombinant protein—that was recombinant porcine somatropin (growth hormone for swine). Over his subsequent career of more than 30 years, Vickers worked in research management, quality management, and regulatory affairs for three different veterinary drug compa nies, usually referred to as “animal health companies.” “The breadth of my education has paid many dividends, partic

ularly in the later years in regulatory affairs. I was handling and submitting the various sections of a new drug dossier for Food and Drug Administration approval, and this includ ed effectiveness data, safety data, environmental impact data, manufacturing information, quality control and quality assurance data, and human food safety data for those drugs being given to food animals. Being able to understand and discuss all of these packages with the regulatory authorities was critical to moving the new drugs to an earliest approval.” He retired in 2017 from the Bayer Animal Health US division of the German parent corporation. Asked what advice he might have for current biophysics students who are considering a career in the pharmaceutical industry, Vickers responded: “I would advise you to broaden your interests and your experiences as much as is possible. A PhD program must be focused in order to complete it in a reasonable time; however, you should take the opportunity to interact with colleagues in various related fields of research. Read. Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to add your comments to a discussion outside your expertise area, particularly if some result does not make sense to you. Biophysics teaches a very broad approach to problem solving and you can have valuable inputs to many questions and problems.”

Portable and easy to use amplifiers for electrophysiology

and lipid bilayer measurements.

Save space, time, and money getting high performances.

Scan the QR code to get a 10% discount on your purchase, by December 31 st 2022

www.elements-ic.com info@elements-ic.com

November 2022

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

BPS Comes Together to Support NIH at the Rally for Medical Research The 2022 Rally for Medical Research, the seminal advocacy event in support of medical research funding at the National Insti tutes of Health (NIH), occurred on September 14. The Rally puts a spotlight on the incredible research that the NIH funds and asks Congress to ensure robust, sustained, and predictable funding increases for the NIH in fiscal year 2023. This year, approx imately 250 scientists, physicians, and health research advocates from 30 states and the District of Columbia participated in more than 190 virtual meetings with senators, representatives, and their policy staff. The Biophysical Society was represented in both in-person meetings and through a grassroots campaign for those not able to join us in Washington, DC. BPS Announces Office Placements for First Dual Congressional Fellowship Year

“ensure that the evaluation process is fair, independent, ex pert, timely and free from inappropriate influences.” This plan delineates a framework comprising five overarching goals which include: (1) maintain scientific review groups that pro vide appropriate scientific coverage and review settings for all of NIH science; (2) further develop a large cadre of diverse, well-trained, and scientifically qualified experts to serve as reviewers; (3) further develop an outstanding, engaged, and diverse staff; (4) implement changes to the peer review process to make it more fair, effective, and efficient; and (5) achieve our mission through transparency, engagement with the scientific community, and a data-driven approach to decision making. Biden Launches Biotechnology Initiative US President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Septem ber 12 establishing the National Biotechnology and Bioman ufacturing Initiative, which aims to accelerate research and development, strengthen biosecurity, and bolster supply chains across the health, energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors. The White House also released a fact sheet (https:/ tinyurl.com/BiotechFactSheet) identifying actions already un derway at federal agencies, such as $1 billion the Department of Defense plans to spend over five years to support domestic biomanufacturing infrastructure (https:/ tinyurl.com/DoDBil lion). The Department of Energy also plans to expand fund ing for demonstrations of biorefinery technology capable of converting biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals.

For the first time ever, BPS will be sponsoring two Congres sional Fellows for the 2022–2023 fellowship year, Elmer Zapata-Mercado and Luyi Cheng . After completing an intensive orientation program, each fellowship candidate interviews and selects the offices they best match for skills, experi ence, and work portfolio. This year, both Zapata-Mercado and Cheng have elected to work in the United States Senate. Cheng will be spending her legislative year working on sci ence, energy, and climate issues with Senator Elizabeth War ren (D-MA), while Zapata-Mercado will focus on health and education issues in the office of Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). Learn more about the fellowship program at https:/www. biophysics.org/policy-advocacy/congressional-fellowship. The application deadline for the 2023–2024 Congressional Fellowship is December 9, 2022. NIH’s Center for Scientific Review Releases 2022–2027 Strategic Plan On September 22, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review (CSR), Noni Byrnes , announced the release of the CSR 2022–2027 Strategic Plan (http:/ tinyurl.com/CSRStrategic) with the primary goal to

November 2022

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

Around theWorld Australia Establishes Center for Future Pandemics

it would lay out a new methodology by which scientists and their work should be evaluated for funding, awards, research priorities, and recruitment across Europe. Presently, in order to get research funded, scientists—includ ing tenured and tenure-track faculty, research scientists, and early career academics—are frequently assessed based on the number of papers they publish, and in which journals. The newly proposed criteria for evaluating research will instead recognize a broader range of contributions to science and the diversity of careers in science; reframe assessments to include evaluations by peers; abandon what the document refers to as the “inappropriate” use of journal and publication metrics as a measure for success; and avoid using interna tional rankings of research organizations when assessing individual researchers. The agreement is currently seeking supporting signatures from organizations around Europe that agree to a shared direction for changes in assessment practices for research, researchers, and research performing organizations, with the overarching goal to maximize the quality and impact of research (https:/coara.eu/sign/). The agreement includes the principles, commitments, and timeframe for reforms, and lays out the principles for a coalition of organizations willing to work together in implementing the changes. Signatories will commit to a common vision, which is that the assessment of research, researchers, and research organizations recognizes the diverse outputs, practices, and activities that maximize the quality and impact of research. This requires basing as sessment primarily on qualitative judgement, for which peer review is central, supported by responsible use of quantitative indicators.

At the end of August, the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity announced the funding of a new center ded icated to laying the groundwork for developing therapies to fight future pandemics. The new Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (CGCPT) will be part of the Doherty In stitute, which is a joint venture of the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Melbourne businessman Geoffrey Cumming is contributing A$250 million (US$172 million) to the center, while the state of Victoria is chipping in A$75 million (US$51 million). The CGCPT will be part of the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease, which is set to launch in 2027, according to a Doherty Institute fact sheet (https:/ tinyurl.com/DohertyFacts). The CGCPT will focus on developing new platform technologies that can be used to rapidly develop or adapt drugs to target novel pathogens Agreement Reached on Research Assessment Reforms in Europe European scientists may soon find themselves free of the “publish or perish” model that underlies academia. If the proposed Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (https:/coara.eu/agreement/the-agreement-full-text/) facilitated by the European Commission is accepted,

The Biophysical Society is grateful to its Industry Partners.

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

PLATINUM

November 2022

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 Sarah Veatch University of Michigan

(a)

(d)

Lamins

Ions and charged metabolites

ER

NE

Nucleosome Macromolecules

01× ,emulov suelcuN 2 mµ 3

p DNA

Lamins Reticulons

p DNA

p DNA

Editor, Membranes Biophysical Journal

p ions

p DNA

Ions

Reticulons

p macro

Sarah Veatch

Macromolecules

(b)

(e)

(c)

How do you stay on top of all the latest developments in your field? Back when I was a starting graduate student, many of the papers I was reading to get up to speed on my projects were published in Biophysical Journal . I was a physics student, digging back through what was known at the time about lipid bilayer membranes—especially membranes that contained cholesterol. Right as I started, two foundational papers were published in Biophysical Journal , clearly demonstrating liq uid-liquid phase separation in membranes: one out of Fred Co hen ’s lab showing phase separation in membranes spanning an aperture (Biophys. J. 81:1486–1500 (2001)) and a second with stunning images of phase separation in giant vesicles taken by Luis Bagatolli (Biophys. J. 80:1417–1428 (2001)). Fast forward to the current day, with all of the preprints and tweets and many more journals seeking out biophysical con tent, and I value that papers published in Biophysical Journal have gone through a rigorous peer review process by mem bers of my field. I’m glad to be able to play my small part in bringing these stories to print through my role as an editorial board member. What are you currently working on that excites you? The decades since those early discoveries of phase sepa ration in membranes have brought a lot of clarity both into the biophysical principles that give rise to phase separation and into its relevance to functional processes at the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. This has opened the door to more fundamental questions actively being investigated in my lab and in other labs in the field. For example, are mem brane domains local environments that favor specific protein functional states? Do the same interactions that give rise to phase separation also affect how hydrophobic ligands bind to proteins? Can protein/RNA-driven liquid-liquid phase sepa ration in the cytoplasm synergize with membrane domains? The thing that excites me most is that we are in the privileged position of being able to “think big” because we work from a strong foundation. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Editor’s Pick Biophysical Journal Nucleus size and its effect on nucleosome stability in living cells Artem K. Efremov, Ladislav Hovan, Jie Yan “The nucleus plays a central role in the life of eukaryotic cells, providing the highest level of control of intracellular process es. Depending on the stage of the cell cycle and/or surround ing environment, the size of the cell nucleus may undergo changes that are believed to cause chromatin reorganization, affecting gene transcription. However, there is currently no clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for such regulation, the exact effect of which on chromatin structure remains unclear. In this study, by developing an advanced computational approach, the authors explore these problems from a physical perspective, revealing previously unknown mechanisms contributing to organization of the cell nucleus and chromatin.” Nucleus radius, µm Ions DNA NE + ER Macromolecules −1 0 −0.5 1 0.5 4 6 8 Presssure fraction 10 −1 10 −2 10 −3 Nucleus radius, µm 6 10 8 Equilibrium nucleus size p ions p DNA p macro p NE p ER p DNA p ions p macro + − − − − − Presssure, atm

10 5

10 4

10 3

, mN / m ∆σ ζ

Presssure, Pa

10 2

4

10

Predicted surface tension,

Version of Record Published September 21, 2022 DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.019

FollowBPS Journals on Twitter @BiophysJ @BiophysReports @BiophysicistJ

November 2022

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

Career Development

HowtoDealwithRelationships inandaround theLab Many when hearing the word “rela tionship” imagine physically and/or emotionally close interactions. I would advocate for the definition to be much So, how should one approach different kinds of relationships? Here are some suggestions:

1. Define the relationship and its boundary by the type of interaction and the roles of the participants with respect to that function (for example, a student receiving mentor ship for their PhD). 2. Clear and honest communication is the key. Expansion of the type of interactions or any changes to them needs understanding and agreement, if not explicit permission from both sides. 3. Generally, relationships are between two people. Keep in mind that the gossip and advice of others should not enter the interaction of the two and there should be a choice to define the interaction or who to engage with in the first place. Two people who have a clash of personal ities may still work together in a professional way, even if it means making some adjustments. 4. Do not expect to be able to change people. 5. Rationally, relationships can be seen as transactional. Both parties should directly or indirectly benefit from the interaction. Yet, remember most transactions also involve some negotiation and compromise. 6. Following the rules provided by one’s employer is critical to avoid situations that create conflicts of interest. 7. Be ethical—always! As all relationships go, they eventually end or transform. Maintain a level of trust and honesty. 8. Be kind and treat others like you want to be treated. 9. Be civil (and calm). Life is short and one can’t be friends with everybody. If there is a conflict, make a plan for dealing with it and walk away when you must. Of course, in extreme cases, there are rules that govern our communities and ultimately laws that society enforces. Report bad behavior to the proper authorities within your institution, or outside when necessary. To sum up: avoidance and hope are often not good long-term strategies. Relationships come in many different forms and learning how to manage each requires intentional efforts. Scientists who enjoy their own company above all else may see relationships and human interactions as rather messy and risky, but we all must do our best to foster positive relationship with those around us. — Molly Cule

broader but, in any case, common sense guidelines should apply when interacting with colleauges, coworkers, and others. However, we are all human and “common sense” is sometimes in exact—hence, the reason for this piece.

Researchers spend the great majority of their waking lives in the lab, sometimes in cramped space as part of a larg er research group. At the same time, some scientists have chosen to work with computers, molecules, mice, etc. to be away from the messy irrationality of having to deal with other people. Yet, even the most hardened researcher knows that we do not live in isolation. One realization came to me as a gift from a senior academ ic when he started his lab. When asked, “What is the most important thing to know when running a research group?,” the answer was: “Appreciate that everyone is different; don’t assume they think like you or will act like you.” This is espe cially true for lab environments—typically a mix of people with different rank, from diverse cultures, and with varied experiences. So, what defines relationships? Broadly, any two people who interact even in the briefest way can be regarded as being in a relationship. The “roles” of the respective participants affects the type ofrelationship and manner of interaction that can be expected. However, at any given time people don’t tend to function in a single role with explicitly prescribed behaviors. Most wear many “hats” in that they have several, sometimes intersecting or even conflicting roles in their private as well as professional lives. For example, I know that as a principal investigator, lab social life is an important part of the work ing atmosphere and I have hosted parties, annual picnics at different venues, and birthdays in the departmental coffee room. Arrivals and departures to the lab are recognized as are important work events (key papers, graduations, etc.). So boundaries between co-workers may seem a bit more fluid, but one thing which the great majority in a professional environment understand is the strong adherence to the pre scribed roles (graduate student, bench mate, advisor, etc.) and acceptable manners of interactions. These roles essentially encompass what we understand by living in a society or being part of a community even though some of the rules that come with them may be unwritten.

November 2022

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

Career and Networking Events From putting potential students in touch with top biophysics programs, to assisting job seek ers with resume critiques, to providing networking opportunities for mid-career professionals, this year’s Annual Meeting will feature a wide variety of career-enriching events for attendees at every career level. Postdoctoral Breakfast Sunday, February 19, 7:30 am –8:30 am , USA Pacific Life as a postdoc is not easy! Postdocs PI to PI, AWine and Cheese Mixer Sunday, February 19, 4:00 pm –6:00 pm , USA Pacific

Thank you to our sponsors: AIP Publishing axiVEND Bruker Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC Chroma Technology Delmic Elements srl Fluxion Biosciences HarvardBioscience HORIBA Scientific Journal of General Physiology (JGP) LUMICKS Mad City Labs Nanion Technologies Sophion Bioscience A/S Sutter Instrument

should join this session to meet others in the same career stage. Learn from speakers who will share their journey with open Q&A and time to network with others. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain different per spectives on how to deal with challenges as a postdoc and to learn how to move forward in their careers. The session is limited to the first 100 attendees. Teaching Science LikeWe Do Science Sunday, February 19, 2:00 pm –4:00 pm , USA Pacific Teaching science has changed over the years. Educators at any level of biophysical science education will benefit from this interactive, hands-on workshop. This session will focus on practice-applicable, easy-to-use strat egies and tools that educators can use to assess how their teaching transcribes to their students and if changes are necessary to their educational methods. Don’t miss this session!

Career challenges continue beyond your years of training. Compare notes and network with your peers at this informal event. Biophysics 101 Monday, February 20, 1:30 pm –3:00 pm , USA Pacific Biophysics 101 is an opportunity to learn about hot topics in biophysics from experts in the field! Visit the Annual Meeting website for the most updated information. Speed Networking Monday, February 20, 4:30 pm –6:00 pm , USA Pacific Networking is key in science. This is a struc tured, fast-paced event that gives partici pants the opportunity to interact with other attendees in brief one-on-one information exchanges. Attendees of all career levels will get a chance to learn more about the Society, network for jobs, ask for career advice, and more. Registration is required for this event. Sign up at https:/www.biophysics.org/store/ products/product-details?ProductName=- speed-networking-2023-am.

November 2022

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

Biophysics Beyond the Boundaries

Founding, Establishing, and Maintaining a Research Laboratory at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions Tuesday, February 21, 12:00 pm –1:30 pm , USA Pacific Researchers looking to establish their labs at PUIs (primar ily undergraduate institutions) have unique challenges to consider. This session will give you an opportunity to meet faculty members at PUIs who have been through the process and will share their experiences with you. Attend this session to get guidance on founding, establishing, and maintaining a research laboratory at a PUI. Careers in Industry: A Q&A Panel Tuesday, February 21, 1:00 pm –2:30 pm , USA Pacific Join a Q&A discussion about scientific careers in industry. Industry panelists will answer audience questions and share their career experiences. Hear from professionals in different roles and positions and get tangible advice for identifying and pursuing a career in industry. Annual Art of Science Contest NowOpen Entries are due December 1, 2022 Do you have an eye-catching image that resulted from your research? Showcase the artistic side of scientific imaging. BPS members attending the 2023 Annual Meeting may enter the annual BPS Image Contest, The Art of Science. Monetary prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.

Education & Career Opportunities Fair Sunday, February 19, 1:00 pm –3:00 pm , USA Pacific Meet with representatives from educational institutions as well as industry and government agencies. Students and postdoctoral candidates can find out about leading programs in biophysics from a wide range of colleges and universities. Attendees can connect with representatives from industry and agencies who will provide information about employment and funding opportunities at their institutions/companies. Stop by the fair to learn about the variety of opportunities available and talk one-on-one with representatives from participating organizations! Representatives interested in reserving a table at this fair to connect with attendees and display information about their program or opportunities, please register at https:/ tinyurl.com/bps2023recruiter. Questions? Contact Caitlin Simpson at Society@biophysics.org. Call for New and Notable SymposiumSpeakers The Biophysical Society is seeking suggestions from Society members for speakers to be featured in the annual New and Notable Symposium in San Diego. This symposium is unique in that, through a series of brief talks, attendees hear about late-breaking and exciting science. If you have a colleague who should be considered, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/98S77ZJ and complete the required information by December 2, 2022.

Submit today at biophysics.org/2023meeting

biophysics.org/ 2023meeting

November 2022

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

Subgroup Symposia at the BPS Annual Meeting Saturday, February 18, 2023 Subgroup Symposia at the 2023 Annual Meeting are scheduled for morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to allow attend ees to attend multiple Subgroup Symposia to accommodate all research areas. Morning Sessions (8:30 am –12:30 pm ) Bioenergetics, Mitochondria, and Metabolism Biological Fluorescence Biopolymers in vivo Channels, Receptors, and Transporters Cryo-EM Membrane Fusion, Fission, and Traffic Nanoscale Approaches to Biology Physical Cell Biology Theory and Computation Afternoon Sessions (1:30 pm –5:30 pm ) Bioengineering Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Macromolecular Machines and Assemblies Mechanobiology Membrane Structure and Function Membrane Transport Motility and Cytoskeleton Multiscale Genome Organization Single-Molecule Forces, Manipulation, and Visualization Bioenergetics, Mitochondria, and Metabolism Subgroup Co-Chairs: Sonia Cortassa , NIH, USA, and Elena Dedko va , University of California, Davis, USA 2023 Program Chair: Ambre Bertholet , University of California, Los Angeles, USA Symposium Title: Unexpected Regulators of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Speakers: Speakers: Lola Eniola-Adefeso , University of Michigan, USA Understanding Cell and Particle Deformability in Blood for Tuning Vascular-Targeted Drug Carrier Interactions and Cellular Targeting Ariel Furst , Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Engineering Electroactive Microbes for Environmental Sensing Chang Liu , University of South Carolina, USA A Click Chemistry Amplified Nanopore (CAN) Assay for Ultrasensitive

Quantification of HIV p24 Antigen in Clinical Samples Ryan Odstrcil , Washington State University, USA Predicting Reaction Pathways and Accelerating Protein Conforma tion Sampling with Machine Learning Padmini Rangamani , University of California, San Diego, USA Modeling Approaches to Synaptic Plasticity Aaron Streets , University of California, Berkeley, USA Multi-parameter Epigenetic Profiling of Single Cells and Single Mole cules Biological Fluorescence Subgroup Chair: Sua Myong , Johns Hopkins University, USA Speakers: Scott Blanchard , St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USA Single-molecule Perspectives on mRNA Decoding Fidelity in Bacteria and Human Maria Garcia-Parajo , ICFO Institute of Photonic Science, Spain Dynamic Mapping of Individual Molecules and their Compartments by High-density Single Particle Tracking Hagen Hofmann , Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Diffusion of a Disordered Protein on Its Folded Ligand

Rebeca Acin-Perez , University of California, Los Angeles, USA Inhibition of ATP-synthase Reverse-Activity Restores Energy Homeo stasis in Mitochondrial Pathologies Dipayan Chaudhuri , University of Utah, USA The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Preserves Energetic Homeosta sis during Complex I Dysfunction Isha Jain , University of California, San Francisco, USA Turning the Oxygen and Vitamin Dials Antonio Martinez-Ruiz , Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain Sodium Regulation of Inner Membrane Fluidity as an Unexpected Regulator of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Martin Picard , Columbia University, USA Neuroendocrine and Psychobiological Regulators of the Mitochondri al Respiratory Chain Bioengineering Subgroup Chair: Ravi Radhakrishnan , University of Pennsylvania, USA

November 2022

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

Chunte Sam Peng , Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Ultralong-term, Real-time Tracking of Single Cargoes in Living Neu rons Gabriela Schlau-Cohen , Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Following Transmembrane Conformational Signaling with Sin gle-molecule FRET Biopolymers in vivo Subgroup Chair: Huan-Xiang Zhou , University of Illinois Chicago, USA 2023 Program Co-Chairs: Kimberly Reynolds , University of Texas Southwestern, USA, and Paul Whitford , Northeastern University, USA Speakers: Margaret Cheung , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA Emergent Protein Assemblies in a Cell Alex Guseman , University of Pittsburgh, USA Peering Into the Crystallin Ball of the Eye Lens Sarah Keane , University of Michigan, USA Structural Determinants of MicroRNA Biogenesis Ben Lehner , Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain Massively Parallel Mapping of the Energetic and Allosteric Land scapes of Proteins Milo Lin , University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA Predicting the Transition States of Protein Aggregation Thibault Mayor , University of British Columbia, Canada Looking in the Garbage to Get Clues on Aging and Protein Folding Channels, Receptors, and Transporters Subgroup Chair: Jorge E. Contreras , University of California, Davis, USA Speakers: Donglin Bai , Western University (Ontario), Canada Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Residues in Amino Terminal Domain of Cx46 and Cx50 Are Critical for their Gap Junction Channel Gating and the Rate of Ion Permeation Yu-Hsin Chiu , National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan Pharmacology and Activation Mechanisms for Large-pore Pannexin 1 Channels: From a Single-channel Perspective J. Kevin Foskett , University of Pennsylvania Medicine, USA Molecular Physiology of CALHM Ion Channels Alison Sweeney , Yale University, USA Reflectin Proteins as Biopolymers in Vivo

Pablo Gaete , University of California, Davis, USA Novel Biophysical Properties in Large-pore Channels Elena Lehmann , University of Zurich, Switzerland Heteromeric LRRC8 Channel Assemblies and Their Impact on Chan nel Activity Yun Lyna Luo , Western University (California), USA Computational Studies of Molecular Permeation through Large-pore Channels Johanna Syrjanen , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA A Tale of Two Pores Cryo-EM Subgroup Chair: Ariane Briegel , Leiden University, Netherlands 2023 Program Co-Chairs: Henriette Autzen , University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Gabriel Lander , Scripps Research Institute, USA, Cristina Santarossa , NYU Langone Health, USA, Rosemary Cater, Columbia University, USA, and Meghna Gupta , University of California, San Francisco, USA Speakers : Melody Campbell , Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, USA Untangling Integrin Dynamics Using Cryo-EM Yi-Wei Chang , University of Pennsylvania Medicine, USA Rhoptry Secretion System Structures and Regulatory Mechanisms in Apicomplexan Parasites Revealed Using Cryo-ET Oliver Clarke , Columbia University, USA Architecture of Erythrocyte Ankyrin-1 Complexes Abhay Kotecha , Columbia University, USA Towards High-Resolution and High-Throughput Structural Biology with CryoEM Debnath Ghosal , University of Melbourne, Australia Understanding Architecture, Assembly, and Regulation of Bacterial Toxin Delivery Systems by Electron Cryotomography Rebecca Thompson , University of Leeds, United Kingdom How “Native” is Your Protein? Impacts of Cryo-EM Sample Prepara tion on Protein Structure Elizabeth Villa , University of California, San Diego, USA Molecular Architecture of the Jumbo Bacteriophage Nuclear Shell Ellen Zhong , Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Prince ton University, USA Machine Learning for Cryo-EM Reconstruction Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Subgroup Chair: Jeanne Stachowiak , University of Texas - Austin, USA

November 2022

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

Career Development Annual Meeting

2023 Program Co-Chairs: Samrat Mukhopadhyay , Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, India, and Sapun Parekh , University of Texas - Austin, USA and Max Planck Insti tute for Polymer Research, Germany Speakers : Keynote Speaker: Jane Dyson , Scripps Research Institute, USA Functional Disorder in p53 Paolo Arosia , ETH Zurich, Switzerland Acceleration and Inhibition of Amyloid Formation by Biomolecular Condensates Priya Banerjee , University at Buffalo, USA Shedding Light on the Phase Separation Landscape of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Lucia Chemes , Universidad Nacional de San Martin, Argentina Conformational Buffering as a Mechanism Underlying Dimensional Compensation and Functional Evolution in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Monika Fuxreiter , University of Padova, Italy The Fundamental Nature of the Droplet State of Proteins Elizabeth Komives , University of California, San Diego, USA The Many Functions of Intrinsic Disorder in NF- κ B Signaling Macromolecular Machines and Assemblies Subgroup Chair: Arne Gennerich , Albert Einstein College of Medi cine, USA Speakers: Ibrahim Cissé , Max Planck Institute of Immunology & Epi genetics, Germany Super-Resolution Imaging of Transcription in Live Mammalian Cells George Ghanim , MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cam bridge, United Kingdom Structural Basis of Human Telomerase Recruitment and Activation by Shelterin Proteins TPP1:POT1 Colleen Kelly , University of Vermont, USA Thick Filament Dynamics: A Mechanism for Protein Replacement within the Sarcomere Shixin Liu , Rockefeller University, USA Machines on Genes: A Single-Molecule Perspective Xinglei Liu , Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA The Regulatory Function of the AAA4 ATPase Domain of Cytoplas mic Dynein Jeff Mindrebo , Scripps Research Institute, USA Substrate-Mediated Activation Mechanism of Human LONP1 Katarzyna Tych , University of Groningen, Netherlands Single-Molecule Characterization of an Osmoregulatory Transporter

Albert Weixlbaumer , Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Centre for Scientific Research, France Supramolecular Complexes Involved in the Coordination of Tran scription and Translation Mechanobiology Subgroup Chair: Virgile Viasnoff , Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore and National Centre for Scientific Research, France Speakers: Arthur Beyder , Mayo Clinic, USA Mechanogated Ion Channel Piezo2 Role in Gut Tactile Sensitivity Charles Cox , Victor Chang Research Institute, Australia Cardiac Piezo Channels in Health and Disease Tamal Das , Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India Emergent Features of Collective Cell Dynamics: A Mechanobiological Perspective Pierre Nassoy , National Centre for Scientific Research, France Cellular Self-assembly and Mechanosensing in Organoids and Tumor Models Encapsulated in Hydrogel Shells Yee Han Tee , National University of Singapore, Singapore Actin Polymerization and Crosslinking Drive Left-Right Asymmetry in Single Cell and Cell Collectives Valeria Vasquez , University of Tennessee, USA Dietary Fatty Acids Fine-Tune Neuronal and Non-Neuronal Cells’ Mechanical Response Min Wu , Yale School of Medicine, USA Coupled Oscillators in a Contractility-Generating Signal Transduction Network Membrane Fusion, Fission, and Traffic Subgroup Chair: Phyllis Hanson , University of Michigan, USA Speakers: Felix Campelo , ICFO Institute of Photonic Science, Spain The Biophysics of Bulky Cargo Export from the Endoplasmic Reticu lum Emanuele Cocucci , Ohio State University, USA Using Quantitative Microscopy Approaches to Study the Formation of Clathrin-Coated Vesicles Jayanta Debnath , University of California, San Francisco, USA Emerging Roles for Secretory Autophagy in EV Biogenesis and Cargo Specification Susan Ferro-Novick , University of California, San Diego, USA A Non-Canonical Role for a COPII Subunit in the Selective Degrada tion of the ER Wade Zeno , University of Southern California, USA Interactions between Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions and Curved Membrane Surfaces Edwin Munro , University of Chicago, USA Dynamics of a Self-pulled Epithelial Zipper

November 2022

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