Conference summary
Molecular compounds which are part of living systems are generally thought to rapidly diffuse in space. However, a large variety of systems, ranging from cells at microscopic scale to living beings at the macroscopic one, exhibit a marked spatial organization in their components. These range from the spatial segregation of DNA, mRNA and ribosomes in bacteria, to the formation of patterns in cellular tissues, to the structure of organs in a living body.
In this workshop, we bring together an interdisciplinary community of leading scientists in physics and biology, who will present novel results on principles leading to the formation of patterns in biophysics. In addition, the workshop will focus on how such localization patterns can provide general experimental and engineering guidance to enhance or hinder, and ultimately control physiological functions.
Invited lecturers
Aurore Dupin (University of Bordeaux, France)
Robert G. Endres (Imperial College, United Kingdom)
Erwin Frey (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany)
Ulrich Gerland (Technical University of Munich, Germany)
Efe Ilker (Aix-Marseille University)
Nicolas Lobato-Dauzier (Sorbonne Université, France)
Lea-Laetitia Pontani (Sorbonne Université, France)
Ulrich S. Schwarz (Heidelberg University, Germany)
Location and conference program -- May 25th to May 29th 2026
This conference will be hosted at the Ecole Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques ENVSN, Beg Rohu, 56510 Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, from Monday, May 25th to Friday, May 29th 2026.
Visit the How to get there? page for travel instructions.
See the Program page for a detailed program.
Mornings: 2 lectures of 1h30 each
Afternoons: free time (possibility to rent a kayak or sailing boat in the neighboring village)
Evenings: short talk or poster sessions
Application and abstract submission
Use the registration page to apply to the conference. Once registered, you may submit an abstract for a short talk and/or a poster.
Short talk sessions will take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Short talk duration is 10min + 5min questions.
Poster sessions will be organized on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Registration deadline: March 15th 2026
Selected applicants will be notified by the end of March 2026.
Registration fees
Registration fees: 300€. They cover lodging and meals.
A waiver of registration fees may be granted upon request and justification (see registration form).
Organizers
Michele Castellana (Institut Curie, France)
Charlie Duclut (Institut Curie and Sorbonne Université, France)
Jean-François Joanny (Collège de France, France)
David Lacoste (ESPCI, France)
Sponsors
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