International Workshop on Biophysics and Soft Matter

The International Workshop on Biophysics and Soft Matter was successfully held with the support of the Department of Physics and the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) of City University of Hong Kong. This fruitful and rewarding workshop spanned over three days, from 26 to 28 May, with over 50 participants from different universities and over 30 invited speakers worldwide to deliver various talks on the highlight topics. The aim was to share recent research findings and explore the directions in biophysics and soft matter.

The event started off with a warm welcome dinner on the first day. On the second day, Prof. Xun-Li Wang (Executive Director, IAS) and Prof. Yang Ren (Head of Physics, CityU) both presented their opening remarks to the participants, followed by a brief introduction of the workshop given by the organizer, Prof. Liang Dai. Thereafter, the curtain had risen for the two-day informative and intensive invited talks from worldwide talents of their specialised area, covering various topics, such as:

• Structures and interactions of DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules
• Polymer physics
• Rheology
• Colloids
• Active matter
• Self-assembly/organization
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Molecular dynamics simulation
• Single-molecule experiments

To recharge their energy and creativity, they indulged in various entertaining and leisurely activities every evening. Especially for the second night, they strolled along the Avenue of Stars and boarded the Oriental Pearl, a signature cruise in Hong Kong. They marveled at the dazzling views of the Victoria Harbour and enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner on board. On the last night, they took a tram to the Victoria Peak and hiked along a scenic trail to refresh their minds. They celebrated the end of the workshop with a farewell dinner on the final day.

The workshop was a great success and we were grateful to have invited speakers to share their insights and findings on various topics in biophysics and soft matter. They also had a wonderful time exploring the city and enjoying its stunning attractions. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Prof. Liang Dai for organising such a fruitful and meaningful event, thanks to the support from the Department of Physics and the Institute for Advanced Study of the City University of Hong Kong. Looking forward to having another workshop soon!