| Leading scientists meet
at the NanoBioVIEWS™ first International Symposium on Optical
Tweezers in Life Sciences — June 6, 2008 |
The 1st International Symposium on the applications and uses
of optical tweezers in life science research was hosted by JPK
Instruments in Berlin on 15th May 2008. It was held at the Magnus
Haus, the home of Heinrich Gustav Magnus, a renowned 19th century
German chemist and physicist, and seat of the German Physical
Society.
Optical tweezers are becoming of increasing importance to researchers
working in the life sciences. Judging from the attendance of around
100 scientists from around the world, the need for a forum to
discuss and push the limits of such technology was extremely well
received. The format of the meeting saw invited presentations
supported by a diverse poster competition sponsored by JPK Instruments,
leaders in providing innovative nanotechnology solutions to the
life sciences. Three sessions of oral presentations covered the
technical aspects of optical tweezers as well as single molecule
and live cell applications using this technology.
The invited speakers are world-leading scientists in the field:
The first session considered the theory and application of optical
tweezers and was presented by Professor Ernst-Ludwig Florin, University
of Texas and Dr. Erik Schäffer, Technical University of Dresden.
The second session covered the area of single molecule study and
featured talks of Professor Martin Hegner from Trinity College
Dublin, Professor Justin Molloy from UK's National Institute for
Medical Research and Professor Marileen Dogterom from the FOM
Institute in Amsterdam. Finally, the third session focused on
investigating living cell behaviour. The speakers were Professor
Lene Oddershede from the NBI, Copenhagen, Professor Alexander
Rohrbach from IMTEK in Freiburg and Professor Andrea Robitzki
of the University of Leipzig. The talks led to many questions
and discussion between the speakers and the audience demonstrating
the value of such an annual forum.
It was exciting to see such a diversity of opportunity for optical
tweezers exploitation. It is another example of technology that
transcends traditional boundaries between scientific disciplines
with physics meeting biology in a most exciting manner. Torsten
Jähnke, one of JPK's founders, said the company was extremely
pleased with the attendance. It gave him only one problem - it
will require an even bigger venue for next year's meeting!
Finally a word about NanoBioVIEWS™: This is the name given to
a new series of international meetings initiated by JPK Instruments
to further the scientific knowledge exchange on instrumentation
and applications of nanotechnology in the life sciences.
To learn more about this successful meeting and to read about
the presentations and posters, please visit www.nanobioviews.net
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