Microtubules: From Atoms to Complex Systems

Symposium Overview

The microtubule cytoskeleton is essential for a wide variety of cellular functions, such as chromosome segregation, directed vesicle and organelle transport, cell motility and cell polarity. Impaired microtubule function can lead to human diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In recent years, interdisciplinary approaches embracing cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology and mathematical modelling have made a tremendous impact on the microtubule field.

The progressive diversification of the microtubule field into subdomains has created the need for a strong meeting that unifies the community and brings together researchers from different disciplines interested in microtubule research. Following the success of the microtubule EMBO Conference Series of 2010, 2012 and 2014, and the first microtubule EMBO|EMBL Symposium in 2016, this symposium will further catalyse groundbreaking ideas that could significantly advance our understanding of the microtubule cytoskeleton. The opportunity to closely interact with colleagues from different fields will generate an integrative perspective that unites diverse scientific approaches to microtubule research, ranging from structural biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to cell biology and organismal biology.

The aim of this symposium is to gather early-career and established researchers from all over the world who have substantially contributed to the microtubule field in recent years. The meeting will feature inspirational keynote and landmark lectures, a large number of short talk opportunities, which will be selected from the submitted abstracts, and lively poster sessions.

This year’s programme will also include a round table discussion, in which researchers from countries with emerging research in the cytoskeleton discuss research challenges and opportunities in their home countries. This round table aims to generate new interactions and exchange between established and emerging research centres all over the world.