From 14th to 18th October 2024, 30 participants (PhD students, post-docs, researchers, etc.) attended the CNRS workshop on Structural Biophysics organized by Birgit Habenstein (CNRS Research Scientist, CBMN) at the IECB and CBMN.

What is the purpose of this thematic school ?

Biophysical techniques allow us to understand the structures and the mechanisms of interactions between biomolecular entities at scales ranging from the atomic size (atomic structure, assembly mechanisms, protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA, protein-lipids) to the size of complex mesoscopic objects (ribosomes, organelles, large macromolecular complexes, etc.).

This workshop aims to provide an overview of the latest technological advances in selected techniques. It offers both theoretical and practical training on the main techniques of structural biophysics (AFM, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, spectroscopies, NMR, X-ray, molecular modeling).

How did the workshop proceed?

During the week, the 30 participants had the opportunity to engage with several local and national speakers, scientific and technical experts, during lectures, practical workshops, breaks, and the cocktail evening.

Overall, the program for the week consisted of 15 hours of theoretical classes, 15 hours of practical demonstrations, and various opportunities for discussion (breaks, poster sessions, etc.).

Do you plan to renew this workshop?

The feedback from participants indicates that the composition of topics, the courses, and the practical workshops covering the selected techniques were highly appreciated. This positive feedback from the participants suggests that there is an interest within the community to continue this workshop on Structural Biophysics.

The diverse topics presented by the participants during the Flash presentation session, ranging from analyzing the composition of deposits on space lasers to the mechanisms of membrane proteins and structures and interactions of DNA aptamers with pharmaceutical applications, show that the techniques covered in the thematic school attract scientists from various fields.

The diversity of participants, coming from institutes on the international (United States), European (Italy, Spain, Germany, and Portugal), and local level (Bordeaux University campus), highlights that the advantage of offering a school with "hands-on" practical sessions and theoretical courses on various biophysical techniques at a single location, is greatly appreciated.

Are any changes or improvements being considered?

During the final discussion, we reviewed techniques that could possibly be addressed in a next edition and the potential improvements. The poster discussion sessions were very well received, and participants suggested organizing them into smaller groups and scheduling more of poster sessions if possible. Additionally, it was proposed for a future edition of the thematic school to include theoretical courses in fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging.

Do you have any final messages to convey?

This thematic school offers a unique opportunity to focus on major techniques and the latest advances in structural biophysics, and the discussions throughout the week enable participants to interact in an effective and meaningful way.