During the school we will explore the transformative role of physics in understanding and addressing key challenges in biology and medicine.  

This 5-day interdisciplinary school will cover topics including:  

• Physics for Biology at the Molecular Level, examining the physical principles governing biomolecules and their interactions 
• Physics for Biology at the Sub-Cellular & Cellular Level, focusing on cellular mechanics, transport phenomena, and biophysical processes 
• Physics of Multicellular Systems, investigating the emergent behaviours in cell aggregates, organoids, and small organisms  
• Physics in Medicine, highlighting applications in imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutic technologies  

Bringing together experts from diverse fields, this school will provide participants with a comprehensive perspective on the cutting-edge intersection of physics, biology, and medicine. 

The event will include lectures & tutorials, research seminars, hands-on lab sessions and a poster session where participants will have the opportunity to interact and present their own research.

Lecturers:

• Anna Taubenberger, TU Dresden
• Carlos Bustamante, UC Berkeley
• Irina Larina, Baylor College of Medicine
• Jennifer Kefauver, CIBER
• Juan Torres, ICFO
• Lukas Kapitein, Utrecht University
• María García-Parajo, ICFO
• Michael Krieg, ICFO
• Nicoletta Liguori, ICFO
• Pablo Loza, ICFO
• Paola Taroni, POLIMI
• Patricia Bassereau, Institut Curie
• Roser Sala Llonch, UB
• Turgut Durduran, ICFO
• Vangelis Daskalakis, University of Patras
• Verena Ruprecht, CRG
• Xavier Darzaq, UC Berkeley

Hands-on sessions: 

Participants will engage in lab sessions focused on the latest photonics technologies. Each lab session will provide participants with an opportunity to work directly with advanced equipment and gain valuable practical skills. 

The sessions will take place in the following labs:

• Super resolution Light microscopy and Nanoscopy 
• Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology 
• Medical Optics 
• Photon Harvesting in Plants and Biomolecules 
• Single Molecules Biophotonics 

Registration & Accommodation:

The school will be limited to a maximum of 30 external students, selected on the basis of academic merit. 30 places will be reserved to ICFO students. 

Local accommodation for 4 nights will be provided for a maximum of 30 external participants from outside the Barcelona region.  

There is NO fee for students to attend the school. 

Travel Fellowships:

ICFO will offer up to 5 SPIE@ICFO Chair Travel Fellowships for selected undergraduate or masters students from outside the Barcelona region to attend the school.  

All eligible applicants will be automatically considered for travel fellowships.  

The fellowships will include reimbursement of travel expenses of up to €350 and accommodation for 4 nights. 

Research Internships:

Up to two SPIE@ICFO Chair Research Internships to conduct a project with an ICFO research group are also available on a competitive basis to outstanding undergraduate or masters students selected to attend the school. To be eligible, students must still be enrolled in an undergraduate or masters program when they undertake the internship. 

For any questions, please contact us at frontiers@icfo.eu.  

Eligibility:

We welcome applications from individuals worldwide with a variety of backgrounds, including optics, physics, mathematics, electronics, engineering, chemistry and biology.   

Candidates must have an excellent academic record, and a strong commitment for scientific research.   

Priority will be given to masters-level and advanced undergraduate students, although PhD students and young researchers are welcome to apply.   

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. There are no restrictions of citizenship or gender.  

How To Apply:

To register for the school, applicants must submit the following documents:

• A Curriculum Vitae, including contact details.
• Scanned copies of complete university academic transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s or equivalent) in English or Spanish.
• A statement of purpose describing their background, research interests, and motivation for attending the school.
• The title and abstract of a proposed poster.
• A support letter from a potential referee.

Applications must be submitted online, and all required application material must be complete in order to be considered.  

Applicants will automatically be considered for the fellowships and / or internships on offer. 

The application deadline is May 16. Successful applicants will be notified during the week of May 22.

For any questions, please contact us at frontiers@icfo.eu

Venue:

ICFO is a young research institution that aims to advance the very limits of the science and technology of light, tackling important challenges faced by society at large in all areas of life, including health, energy, information, safety, security and caring for the environment. ICFO is a member of BIST, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, and is situated in Castelldefels, a small town located by the sea just outside of Barcelona, Spain. 

More information about how to get to ICFO can be found HERE. 

About:  

International Schools on the Frontiers of Light aim at giving talented young researchers and students worldwide a first introduction to a thematic research area and a taste of an international research environment. These schools incorporate a dynamic and social learning environment beyond participating in lectures, including group discussions, direct interactions with the lecturers, student talks and poster presentations.  

ICFO does not tolerate any type of conduct or behavior considered harassment or bullying and has clearly defined policies against harassment.  

Organizing Committee: 

Prof. Dr. María García-Parajo (ICFO), Prof. Dr. Nicoletta Liguori (ICFO), Prof. Dr. Turgut Durduran (ICFO), Dr. Pablo Loza, Prof. Dr. Michael Krieg, Dr. Giovanna Petrillo (ICFO)