Biophysical Society Newsletter | December 2017

8

2017

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER

Emerging Concepts in Ion Channel Biophysics Thematic Meeting

This past October, Mexico City hosted a very stimulating BPS Thematic Meeting, with the support of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT). With ap- proximately 160 attendees, the Emerging Concepts in Ion Channel Biophysics meeting saw the partici- pation of researchers from 15 countries who pre- sented cutting-edge research on subjects related to the structure, regulation, and function of diverse ion channels and transporters, and classic and novel methods used to study these proteins. The meeting was held in an eighteenth century palace set right next to the Old Aztec Temple of the historical center of Mexico City. There, re- searchers at different stages of their careers listened to outstanding leaders in the field of ion channel biophysics present 37 talks by invited speakers and presenters selected from submitted abstracts. During the poster sessions, the participants visited

74 posters presented by students, postdocs, and established scientists. Discussion was lively and many attendees established future collaborations. The meeting showed that the field of ion channels is as vibrant as ever and poised to be revolution- ized by new exciting technical advances. The strength of these thematic meetings is the convening of scientists from disparate fields to discuss topics of interest in an ambience that pro- motes close, informal discussion and that includes researchers at the beginning of their careers, as well as leaders in the field. This provides estab- lished researchers, postdocs, and students with a great opportunity to enrich their knowledge and perspective as well as to foster international collab- oration. For the organizers, Tamara Rosenbaum , León Islas , and Froylán Gómez from UNAM, this was a fantastic opportunity to help project the beauty of the study of ion channels and to pro- mote the development of biophysics in Mexico.

BE A

JUDGE Interested in helping the next generation learn about biophysics? Volunteer to judge at your local science fair and choose a student to win an award for the best biophysics-related proj- ect. BPS will provide funding for a student award for every regional or state fair where a BPS member wishes to judge and choose a winner. Award amounts are typically $100. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ScienceFairs-18 and fill out the form at least three

weeks prior to the event to have BPS sponsor an award at your local fair. Contact Caitlin Simpson at SciFairs@biophysics.org with questions.