KAUST Research Conference 2023 on Computational Advances in Structural Biology

Overview

Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC) is pleased to announce the KAUST Research Conference 2023 on Computational Advances in Structural Biology. The conference will be held from May 1-3, 2023 at the Auditorium between Building 4 & 5.

The visualization of the structure of a molecule, organelle or larger entity is key to understanding its biological function. Thus, structural biology is an extremely powerful means of unraveling the fundaments of life, but also of diseases. Consequently, structural biology is at the heart of medical therapies, including drug design, and has enabled the development of many biotech and industrial applications of biological entities, in particular of proteins and nucleic acids; which is in line with the Kingdom’s vision and thrusts to diversify the economy.

The visualization of complex nanometer-sized structures has always heavily relied on computational methods. However, recent developments in AI and big data analyses are now truly transforming structural biology. AI-based methods have substantially advanced our capability to confidently predict the complex three-dimensional structure of a protein, composed of tens to hundreds of thousands of atoms. AI-based analysis and computer- assisted visualization have also empowered experimental methods, such as electron microscopy. Therefore, the possibility for visualizing cellular structures in atomic details has finally come within reach.

Yet, important key aspects remain poorly determined and are an area of intense method development. These include prediction of ligand interactions, nucleic acid structures, and of complexes made of many biological macromolecules. Successfully solving these issues would revolutionize our understanding of living organisms and our capability for harnessing the immense power of biological macromolecules for “green” industrial applications and for curing or preventing diseases.

Considering the transformative impact that computational analysis has on structural biology, this conference is extremely timely. We invite you to join our field-leading speakers to learn about and to discuss the latest developments in this fast-developing field.

Message from the CBRC Interim Director

I strongly believe that this conference will provide a unique forum for the active exchange of ideas and experiences among researchers in this rapidly evolving subject.
On behalf of the Organizing and Program Committees, I would like to invite you to our three day event. As always, I look forward to welcoming you in KAUST and to a fruitful interchange of ideas. 

Sincerely,
Xin Gao

Online registrations are now closed. KAUST community can register on site during the conference.

If you have any questions, please email cbrc.info@kaust.edu.sa.
For more information, visit the conference website here.

This event is organized by the Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC) with financial support from KAUST Office of Research and Administration (ORA).