Nature’s Matrix: Evolution to Innovation

Location: University of Southampton

Start date: April 5, 2027

Duration: 2 days

Registration start: Oct. 1, 2026 Registration end date: March 1, 2027 Registration late date: Feb. 21, 2027

Abstract start: Oct. 1, 2026

Abstract end date: Feb. 21, 2027

Meeting Information -Southampton will host April 5th and 6th 2027, the main meeting starting 12pm Monday.

The meeting has a broad scope. Themes (sessions) will transverse Nature's matrix to Laboratory innovations taking in; evolution, marine mineralisation, microbial EPS, biophysics, matrix mechanobiology, engineered matrix, organoids and mechano-transcriptomics. There is an open session too. Speakers include, Viola Vogel (ETH), Cait McPhee (Edinburgh), James Armstrong (Bristol), Nick Aldred (Essex), Rikke Meyer (Aarhus), Adrien Hallou (Oxford), and more, from near and afar. There is plenty space for submitted abstracts for talks and posters.

This will be a value-for-money, efficient, fun, way to get immersed in matrix. Registration includes buffet-style dinner in our on-campus restaurant which has very broad choice, catering for dietary requirements. Register now to ensure you get a seat for this dinner (limited seats), a central part of this conference. We are expecting lots of bursary applications – one of the central things the society supports.

In terms of accommodation,we were unable to offer student residences so a link to a list of hotel options across a range is availabe below.

OUTLINE DRAFT PROGRAM:

DAY1 (5th April 2027)

10amECR pre-meeting

12.00 Arrival with light lunch 

12.45 Meeting Introduction 

13.00 - 14.30 Session 1 - Inspired by Nature’s Matrix 

• Jeff Thompson (Southampton)
• Selected abstracts (2)
• Nick Aldred (Essex)

14.30 AGM (LT)

14.30-15.15Poster session 1

15.15-16.45 Session 2 - Microbial EPS 

• Rikke Meyer (Aarhus)
• Selected abstracts (2)
• Cait MacPhee (Edinburgh)

17.00-17.45Fell Muir Award Talk 

17.45 -Drinks reception @posters

19.30 Dinner –Centenary Restaurant – same building as meeting

DAY2 (6th April 2027)

09.00-10.30 Session 3-Material Matrix

• James Armstrong (Bristol)
• Selected abstracts (2)
• Viola Vogel (ETH)

10.30-11.15Poster session 2

11.15-12.45 Session 4 -Engineered matrix and models

• Rob Mauck (UPenn)
• Selected abstracts (2)
• Nicole Prior (Southampton)

12.45 Lunch @ Posters 

14.00 Session 5- Matrix Open session 

• Adrien Hallou (Oxford)
• Selected abstracts (3)

15.30 Meeting summary Discussion, BSMB New collaboration and Prizes.

16.00 END 

Sponsor

The meeting is sponsored by Company of Biologists

It is not possible to register for this meeting at the moment. The registration date is Oct. 1, 2026