2023 Physical Virology GRC and GRS

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Project Summary Viral infections involve processes from atomic-scale regulation of ionic transport, to macromolecular self- assembly and membrane budding, to global epidemiology. Physical Virology studies these processes as a paradigm for the intersection of fundamental physical laws and emergent biological function. This biennial GRC is the only international meeting for researchers from the diverse disciplines relevant to Physical Virology, and is unique for its simultaneous focus on fundamental and applied aspects of virology. The scientific objectives of this GRC are to (1) uncover the biophysical principles that govern viral lifecycles, (2) use this knowledge to advance development of vaccines, antiviral drugs, and engineering virus-based biomaterials, and (3) broaden physical virology to leverage recent advances in cell biology and protein design. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for these cross-disciplinary approaches to understand viral biology, predict their global spread and impact, and develop new treatments. The 2023 Physical Virology GRC will be held January 22-27 in Il Ciocco, Italy with the accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on January 21-22. Our conference goals are in-line with the missions of NIAID to support basic and applied research on causative agents of infectious diseases, and NIBIB to improve health by accelerating development of biomedical technologies. The Physical Virology GRC/GRS have three independent but synergistic Aims. Aim 1 will promote and broaden interdisciplinary research in Physical Virology. We have 29 invited speakers (27 confirmed) and nine discussion leaders (all confirmed) at the frontiers of physical virology. To foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, sessions include speakers from different disciplines focusing on common aspects of virology. The conference will expand physical virology by including recent advances in (1) understanding virus-host interactions (e.g. virus- host protein interaction networks and co-evolution of viruses and host immune systems), (2) assembly of virus- like cages in other systems, and (3) emerging knowledge on COVID-19. The program promotes collaboration and networking through informal discussion times and 4 poster sessions. Aim 2 will increase the diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) of the Physical Virology community. Of our invited speakers and discussion leaders, 53% are women, 10% are URMs, and 34% are early-career researchers. We will amplify diversity when selecting short talks. At a Power Hour, participants will discuss how to address issues faced by underrepresented groups in science. Aim 3 will provide training and career development for early career researchers. Poster presentations will be accepted from all students and postdocs, and they will be given priority for selection of short talks from abstracts. The GRS is organized by a graduate student and postdoc for this target group. The (to be confirmed) GRS keynote speaker is Dr. Barney Graham, former Deputy Director of the Vaccine Research Center at NIAID.