March 28 & 29, 2014

The Art of Systems Biology and Nanoscience

333 Montezuma Arts

333 Montezuma Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Image at left © David S. Goodsell 2011

To understand how cells function, scientists need to visualize the component parts across multiple scales, from nanometer-sized molecules to macromolecular complexes, to organelles and eventually to micrometer-sized whole cells. Through illustrated lectures on the discovery of specific molecular pathways and cellular structures, and through complementary original watercolors, illustrations and microscopy images and videos, The Art of Systems Biology and Nanoscience will reveal a dazzling view of the world of living cells. The scientific speakers for the 5th annual event will be Cell Biologist Dr. Sandra Schmid from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas ("Coats, Collars and Accessories: the elegance of the cell's endocytic machinery") and biophysicist Diane Lidke from UNM ("The Protein Dance: nanoscale views of molecular dynamics on cell membranes"). Dr. Lidke is a pioneer in imaging the nanoscale movements and interactions of single molecules on the outer membranes of cells that activate transmembrane signaling responses. Dr. Schmid is renowned for studies on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, the process that redistributes molecules from the cell surface into intracellular vesicles, sometimes ending signaling and sometimes switching the cell to a new set of signaling responses.

The art exhibit will showcase the stunning original watercolors and scientific illustrations of Dr. David Goodsell of The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego. Dr. Goodsell is the author of The Machinery of Life, a book that delves into the sub-microscopic world of molecular machines. He is the writer and illustrator for The Protein Data Bank "Molecule of the Month", that presents the functions and significance of selected biological macromolecules for a general audience. He will discuss his inspiration and vision in a gallery talk on Saturday. The beauty revealed when biological structures are magnified up to a million times will be further revealed though a display of silk scarves by cell biologist Eve Reaven. Complementary microscopy images and videos generated by University of New Mexico and LANL-based systems biologists and nanoscientists will be displayed.

A "National Nanodays" program for kids from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday will be led by graduate students from the UNM Nanoscience and Microsystems degree program and will feature hands-on nanotechnology activities along with interactive visualization tools to share developments and discoveries in the materials and biomedical sciences. Dr. Stephen Jett, with Explora's Portal to the Public, will show kids how Atomic Force Microscopy allows us to "see" structures with nanometer (or better) resolution using needles and mirrors.

For the first time, music will be part of the event. Christina Termini, UNM graduate student in Biomedical Sciences and Music, will perform Density 21.5 by Edgar Varese: a flute solo accompanied by super-resolution microscopy images. The UNM art will include a video of axonal transport by UNM neuroscientist and composer, Dr. Elaine Bearer, set to her own music.