Mathematics of the Cell: Integrating Genes, Biochemistry and Mechanics (14w5075)

The Banff International Research Station will host the "Mathematics of the Cell: Integrating Genes, Biochemistry and Mechanics" workshop from September 7th to September 12th, 2014.

The last 50 years has seen an explosion in the amount and quality of data being generated from the study of biological processes, making biology arguably the science of the 21st century. The utilization of mathematical and computational techniques has historically played a crucial role in making sense of the complex interaction networks that underlie biological phenomena, especially at the cellular level. Single cells, the fundamental unit of life, provide an excellent experimental and theoretical framework for studying and understanding cell organization and function, which is crucial for all physiological processes. Up to this point, we have usually considered biological processes in isolation, which has yielded invaluable insights. However, we must now take a more integrative view and combine models and information from genetic, mechanical and biochemical sources to better predict cellular behavior in physiological contexts. To that end, we are gathering researchers to discuss and map the current challenges and future directions in understanding function and organization at the single cell level. This workshop will be both horizontally and vertically integrated: researchers from a variety of fields, including biology, mathematics, physics and engineering will participate in the workshop, representing educational levels from graduate students to senior academic faculty. The diversity in backgrounds and expertise will lead to vigorous discussion and a roadmap for the future of the field.

The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery (BIRS) is a collaborative Canada-US-Mexico venture that provides an environment for creative interaction as well as the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methods within the Mathematical Sciences, with related disciplines and with industry. The research station is located at The Banff Centre in Alberta and is supported by Canada's Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Alberta's Advanced Education and Technology, and Mexico's Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).