Biophysical Society Thematic Meeting | Riga 2026

Active and Responsive Soft Matter: From Biological to Engineered Systems

Welcome Letter

July 2026

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to welcome you to the Biophysical Society Thematic Meeting entitled, Active and Responsive Soft Matter: From Biological to Engineered Systems . This meeting will convene leading theoretical and experimental researchers to examine how physical stimuli influence active and responsive biological systems. The meeting will focus on the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to their physical environment. Key themes include the behavior of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells in two-dimensional sheets and three dimensional matrices; collective dynamics of biological swimmers and their responses to mechanical and magnetic cues; emerging tools and analytical methods in mechanobiology; and the multiscale emergence of tissue mechanics from cells, fibers, and adhesions. The meeting is designed to foster cross-disciplinary exchange between fundamental biophysics of living active matter and the development of synthetic active and responsive materials inspired by biological principles. Hosting the event in Latvia, and more broadly in the Baltic States, will strengthen regional scientific connections and showcase Latvia’s strong research presence in magnetic systems, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip technologies, and other physics-based approaches to biology and biomedicine. Overall, this conference will feature 17 posters, 33 lectures, and bring together over 50 scientists from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. We hope that this meeting will not only provide a place to share your recent findings, but also to help promote new collaborations, helpful discussions, and future connections. We invite you all to actively take part in the discussions following each talk, the poster sessions, and the informal exchanges that will be possible during the coffee breaks and meals. We also hope that you will also enjoy the beautiful city of Riga!

The Organizing Committee Andrej Cēbers Damien Favre Guy Genin Paul Janmey Gunters Kitenbergs Alison Patteson Mara Šmite