Outline | RIKEN BDR Symposium 2021

We are pleased to announce that the RIKEN BDR Symposium 2021 “Structuring biosystems: Functions emerging from molecules,” will be held online on March 1 to 3, 2021.

A living organism is a multi-layered system made up of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs, which concertedly sustain the life of the organism. However, we still do not yet fully understand how a cell, the basic unit of all living things, operates as it is. The discovery and developments of new concepts and technological innovations in recent years have shed new light on the mechanisms by which molecules constituting the cells support cellular functions. For example, we now have a greater understanding of the operating principles of macromolecular complexes comprised of many biomolecules, as well as of huge structures with high plasticity, such as chromatins. Research to capture the molecular motions, which hold the key to biological functions, is also advancing. Recently, liquid-liquid phase separation has emerged as a mechanism that governs the cell functions, and the involvement of intrinsically-disordered regions of proteins and RNA in this phenomenon are also being unveiled. In this symposium, we will examine how these molecules sustain cellular activities, as well as tissue and whole-body functions, and discuss future directions.

Topics will include:
- Chromatin structures, functions and epigenetics
- Biological phase separation
- Molecular assemblies and functions
- Membrane protein dynamics

Videos of recorded talks will be played for viewing through the online program. Q&A sessions will be held in real-time. Poster sessions will also be held in real-time.

We encourage the submission of abstracts for the poster session from participants around the world to increase opportunities for lively and informative exchange of views.

We look forward to welcoming you to our online symposium in March 2021.

This symposium is a part of the RIKEN Symposium Series.