Call for papers: Networks, from biology to theory

[Dr J. Feng]

International Conference on Networks: from Biology to Theory

        CALL FOR PAPERS

During the past decades, we have witnessed the thriving development of
new mathematical, computational and theoretical approaches such as
bioinformatics and neuroinformatics to tackle some fundamental issues
in biology. These scientific approaches focus no longer on the
individual units, like nerve cells or genes, but rather on the
emerging dynamic patterns of interactions between them. This depends
on the interplay between the local dynamics and activity transmissions
on one side and the global structure of the underlying connection
scheme on the other hand. From these questions, the concept of a
network emerges as a powerful and stimulating research paradigm in
mathematics, physics and computer science, with a very lively
interaction between experimental findings, simulation studies, and
theoretical investigations that then in turn lead to new experimental
questions. In particular, since researchers in molecular cell biology
and neurobiology share an interest in network theory and, conversely,
can stimulate further theoretical research on networks, we want to
promote this development, and bring together expertises from both
experimentalists and theoreticians working on networks at a meeting in
Beijing (Sino-German Centre). Such a meeting will provide an inclusive
forum for the exchange of ideas for scientists from China, Germany and
elsewhere. The meeting is expected to draw about 100 researches
(around 30 invited) from the whole range of disciplines mentioned
above, molecular cell biology, neurobiology, systems biology,
mathematics, physics, computing science. The meeting topics include
but are not limited to

Networks in neuroinformatics: Population coding, computation with
spiking networks, multi-unit recording, human-machine interfaces,
synchronization in spiking neuronal networks.  Networks in
bioinformatics: Gene regulatory and signal transduction networks,
protein-protein interaction networks, microarray data, metabolic
networks.

Network structures and dynamics: Random graphs and other paradigms,
synchronization and desynchronization mechanisms, coupled oscillators,
dynamics on multiple scales.

FORMAT The single-track meeting will consist of both oral and poster
sessions. Some oral presentations will be invited, while others will
be drawn from short submitted abstracts. Poster presentations will be
drawn from submitted abstracts. We expect we are able to provide
meals, and ample time will be provided for informal discussion outside
of the sessions. To actually provide an inclusive forum for the
exchange of ideas between experimentalists and theoreticians, the
structure of the conference will be: 2 days networks in molecular
biology, 1 day formal methods, 2 days networks in neurobiology. Thus,
the theoretical day in the middle will link the two different fields
of applications

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Jianfeng Feng (Warwick Univ., UK, and Hunan
Normal Univ., PR China), Juergen Jost (Max Planck Institute for
Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig, Germany), Minping Qian (Peking
University, PR China)

SPEAKERS Around 30 speakers will be invited (half theoreticians and half 
experimentalists). And the rest wil be selected from submitted abstracts.

LOCATION Sino-German Centre, Beijing.

WHEN April 4th--8th , 2005.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Registration is free.

CONFERENCE GRANTS:  SinoGerman Centre

ABSTRACTS Abstracts are due by Feb. 15, 2005. Decisions will be made by Feb. 
31, 2005. Abstracts should be 1-2 pages.


OTHER INFORMATION

http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/users/jianfeng/sino-german/sino-german.html




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Address after 1st Jan. 2005
Prof. Jianfeng Feng
Centre for Scientific Computing Warwick University
Coventry CV4 7AL
UK

http://www.cus.cam.ac.uk/~jf218