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The Paris Interdisciplinary PhD Symposium (PIPS) is organized by PhD students from the "Frontiers in Life Sciences" graduate school. This graduate school is built on the idea that exchanging ideas fosters scientific research. It gathers Ph.D. students from different disciplines working on diverse scientific projects allowing them to meet regularly so that they can share methods, ideas and confront their points of view. The aim of the PIPS symposium is to bring together researchers and Ph.D. students motivated by the same spirit. It is an opportunity to meet new people from diverse fields with a common interest in life sciences, sharing ideas and changing one's own point of view on different issues. |
After the successful first edition in December 2009, the PIPS team is proud to announce that the next edition will take place June 13th-15th 2011 in Paris.
SHAPES IN LIVING SYSTEMS
Paris, 13-15 June 2011
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One of the key steps of scientific studies and discoveries is accurately describing an "object" by defining it in space, by outlining its shape, and in time, through the observation of its dynamical changes.
The diversity of shapes in living systems and the functions that they possess is humbling. They range from circles to stars and more complex geometrical shapes like fractals. Studying biological objects and their shape raises interesting scientific questions:
Can we explain how and why a system builds and invests energy to maintain a certainshape?
How do living systems sense the shapes surrounding them?
What is the function of these shapes on different levels of description?
From receptor-ligand interactions, globular shape of Volvox colonies, biofilms of B.subtilis, branched shapes of neurons, tothestructure of living space of social species?
What are the mechanisms that direct the change of shape during metamorphosis ofinsects and embryogenesis?
How do naturally occurring shapes differ from artificial shapes?
Can we and should we use our knowledge and technology to re-shape living systems?
In June 2011, during the 2nd Paris Interdisciplinary PhD International Symposium, mathematicians, evolutionists, molecular biologists, cognitive scientists, sociologists, designers and artists will be invited to confront their perception of shapes and discuss the relevance of shapes in living systems.
This symposium will be a unique opportunity to gather established senior researchers, young researchers and students from many different fields, start interdisciplinary debates and build up an open-minded and truly interdisciplinary scientific community.
Dates : 13-15 June 2011
PIPS location
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Please consult the official website for additional information and registration
2011 PIPS Sponsors
This initiative is funded by the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller and will be hosted in 2011 by the Espace Pierre Gilles de Gennes of ESPCI Paristech.
Other partners kindly provide support for attendees travel grants.
Please find below the list of our sponsors:
Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller
Mairie de Paris
Fondation Pierre Gilles de Gennes
ESPCI Paristech
Espace Pierre Gilles de Gennes
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December 7-9, 2009, Paris, FRANCE PIPS 2009 Report (english, pdf) PIPS 2009 Report (français, pdf) PIPS 2009 Photos Official website |