Introduction

The meeting was organised by the RSC Faraday Division.

So many of the key molecules in biological systems are polymers: proteins, polysaccharides and the nucleic acids. Their long chain behaviour is a crucial contributing factor to their function in living systems. The fundamental motif of cells - membranes that separate space into multi compartments - has an analogy with polymeric amphiphiles, their slow dynamics allowing access to both kinetic insights and tougher membranes.

There is increasing dialogue between the different communities of polymer scientists and biologists/clinicians, reflecting the growing awareness that only by bringing together interdisciplinary ideas will fast progress be made.

Faraday Discussion 139 attracted a total number of 112 delegates, from 17 different countries. In total 24 papers were presented over the course of 3 days at the University of York and 38 posters were presented at the lively poster and networking session.

Discussion Topics

• Cell Interactions
• Membranes and Walls
• Proteins and Polysaccharides 
• Natural and Synthetic Polymers

Scientific Committee

Professor Tony Ryan OBE (Co Chair), (University of Sheffield, UK)

Professor Athene Donald FRS (Co Chair), (University of Cambridge, UK)

Professor Richard A L Jones FRS, (University of Sheffield, UK)

Professor Darrin Pochan, (University of Delaware, USA)

Professor Chris Hunter, (University of Sheffield, UK)

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, (University of Nottingham, UK)

Dr Peter Timmins, (Institut Laue-Langevin, France)

Co-sponsors

We are grateful to the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and the Polymer Physics and Biological Physics Groups of the Institute of Physics (IOP) for their co-sponsorship support.