Our Experience at the FASEB Protein Aggregation Conference 2023

The Perfect Meeting Point

We first caught wind of the 2023 FASEB Protein Aggregation Conference and immediately sensed it was an opportunity not to be missed. The conference, organized in Europe and inviting an international community of researchers, seemed like the perfect event for us. The blend of familiar and fresh topics in the realm of biophysics offered rich ground for learning and interaction. Becoming the platinum sponsor of the event made perfect sense for us.

Picturesque Venue and Local Experiences

The conference was held in the quaint town of Malahide, located just north of Dublin. Our venue was a beautiful beachside hotel offering a relaxing view of the ever-changing tide in the Malahide estuary. Even though the conference was a busy affair, we managed to carve out some time to explore the town and sample the local Guinness.

A Focus on Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS)

In the past year, we've become intrigued by the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) phenomenon and the role that Labbot could potentially play in investigating it. During the conference, it felt like everything clicked into place. Several presentations highlighted the strong connection between protein aggregation and phase separation. The growing interest in this topic within the amyloid community has led to a surge in biophysical research aimed at understanding the principles underlying LLPS.

Building Relationships: The Cornerstone of Any Conference

Among the many features of a conference, we believe that the opportunity to connect with people is by far the most rewarding. We had the chance to reconnect with old friends and recent customers. We also forged several new connections that we look forward to nurturing in the future.

The "Win a Labbot" Competition: A Resounding Success

Our “Win a Labbot” competition was another highlight of the conference. Participants were invited to submit mini-research proposals that envisaged the use of a Labbot. The turnout was fantastic, and the competition sparked many conversations. The number and quality of proposals humbled us. Our scientific jury (consisting of Sara, Vito, and Alex) had the tough task of picking just one winner, but eventually, the prize of a free Labbot was awarded to Professor Danny Hatters from Melbourne University.

Repurposing Older Instruments

The compelling proposals we received during the conference spurred us to act on an idea we had been contemplating for some time: refurbishing and repurposing our older yet fully functional instruments. Recognising the funding challenges some labs face, we're committed to finding new homes for these instruments where they can continue contributing to scientific progress. Our first refurbished Probe Drum has found its home at the Max Planck Laboratory for Structural Biology, Chemistry, and Molecular Biophysics of Rosario (MPLbioR) in Argentina.