The conference will aim to push forward research in a number of areas.
Experts gather to push the frontiers of research
Some of the world’s leading scientists across a range of backgrounds are heading to the University of Exeter for a special meeting to share knowledge and ideas for future research.
Experts from some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions are attending the ‘Frontiers of Multidisciplinary Research: Mathematics, Engineering and Biology’, which runs from 21-24 September.
The meeting aims to encourage attendees to discuss their research across a diverse range of backgrounds to see where they can share expertise and push forward new areas of study.
Presentations will include research at the frontiers of current knowledge, including previously unpublished results.
Dr Orkun Soyer, from Exeter’s College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, has been instrumental in organising the event.
He said: “The idea is to bring a diverse group of people together to discuss science under the umbrella of systems biology – which combines theoretical and experimental approaches to understand how biological systems work.
“We have mathematicians, engineers, physicists, all with interest in biology, but applying very different techniques and ideas. We are trying to find connections between these people and generate new ideas.”
The speakers, who are all leaders in their own fields, will be coming from all over the world, including institutions such as Harvard University, CRG Barcelona, the University of Zurich, Microsoft Research, and the University of Oxford.
Each speaker will present on their area of expertise, with follow up sessions allowing for questions and discussion.
Dr Soyer said: “Having all these people together is the biggest part of it, to see if it works or not. There’s no recipe to create interdisciplinary science, this is just one way of trying and if it works that’s wonderful.”
The University of Exeter is developing a world class research centre in systems biology – which uses systems thinking to answer key biological questions.
The research is a key part of the University’s Science Strategy – an £80 million investment which aims to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to tackle some of the big issues of our time.
You can find out more about ‘Frontiers of Multidisciplinary Research: Mathematics, Engineering and Biology’ event here.
The event has been funded by the EPSRC, Microsoft Research, Company of Biologists, Signet and the University of Exeter.
Date: 17 September 2010
