Biophysical Society Thematic Meeting | Riga 2026

Active and Responsive Soft Matter: From Biological to Engineered Systems

Tuesday Speaker Abstracts

NEXT-GENERATION BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING: OPPORTUNITIES AND EMERGING DIRECTIONS Manana Sukhareva ; 1 National Institute of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, Bethesda, MD, USA This presentation will provide a programmatic perspective on emerging opportunities and strategic directions in biomedical engineering and biophysics, highlighting current priorities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). The discussion will focus on the development of innovative technologies, instruments, platforms, and methodologies that expand researchers’ ability to measure, model, and manipulate biological systems. Areas of growing interest across NIH include advanced imaging and sensing technologies, biofabrication and tissue engineering platforms, synthetic biology tools, biomaterials, artificial intelligence–enabled technologies, and computational approaches that support quantitative and predictive biology. Particular attention will be given to emerging technologies and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that have the potential to improve the physiological relevance, scalability, and predictive value of experimental systems. From a research administration perspective, the presentation will discuss opportunities for the biomedical engineering community to advance NIH priorities through technology innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, convergence science, and the development of broadly enabling research tools. The talk will also highlight the role of biomedical engineering in addressing fundamental biological questions and accelerating the translation of discoveries into biomedical applications. In addition, the presentation will provide insights into NIH and NIBIB approaches for supporting investigator-initiated research, technology development, interdisciplinary team science, workforce development, and international collaboration. A dedicated question-and-answer session will provide attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with the Program Director regarding NIH research priorities, funding opportunities, career development programs, and emerging directions in biomedical engineering.

EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL: FUNDING FOR FRONTEIR RESEARCH Janne Salo 1 ; 1 European Research Council, Brussels, Belgium

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