Cambridge, Mass.—The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University will host “Molecules, Movement, and Motors” to examine the mechanics of motors—from naturally occurring motors, such as those inside cells, to new synthetic motors made from DNA. The science symposium will bring together experts in genetics, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, and engineering to explore how molecular motors work. These scientists will share and develop new understandings of motors that may help improve human life and cure diseases—such as Alzheimer’s disease and cardiomyopathy.

From studying motion in the smallest known biological motor to researching how the proteins that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s affect molecular motor function, symposium speakers will examine the functions, movement, and common features of molecular motors. Their expertise crosses the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines and their research advances new fields of biomimetics and single-molecule biophysics:

• Anna C. Balazs, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Robert Von der Luft Professor, University of Pittsburgh
• Steven M. Block, Stanford W. Ascherman, M.D., Professor and Professor of Applied Physics and Biology and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at Freeman Spogli Institute, Stanford University
• Susan K. Dutcher, Professor of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Physiology and Interim Head, Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis
• Lawrence S. B. Goldstein, Distinguished Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Director, UC San Diego Stem Cell Program, University of California at San Diego; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Ayusman Sen, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University
• James A. Spudich, Douglas M. and Nola Leishman Professor of Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University
• Viola Vogel, Professor, Department of Materials, and Head, Laboratory for Biologically Oriented Materials, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH)

Harvard University Symposium Conveners:

• Joanna Aizenberg, Director of the Science Program and Susan S. and Kenneth L. Wallach Professor, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; Amy Smith Berylson Professor of Materials Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Director, Kavli Institute for Bionanoscience; Founding Core Faculty Member, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
• Elizabeth C. Engle, Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital Boston; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• Samara Reck-Peterson, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School
• Joan Ruderman, Senior Advisor to the Science Program, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; Marion V. Nelson Professor of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School
• Dimitar D. Sasselov, Senior Advisor to the Science Program, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; Professor of Astronomy, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Director, Harvard Origins of Life Initiative
• Thomas L. Schwarz, Professor of Neurology and Neurobiology, Children’s Hospital Boston
• Rosalind A. Segal, Senior Advisor to the Science Program, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; Professor of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School; the Ted Williams Senior Investigator; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Judith A. J. Steen, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, Children’s Hospital Boston

WHEN: Friday, October 14, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

WHERE: Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Radcliffe Gymnasium, 10 Garden Street, Radcliffe Yard, Cambridge, MA

More information about the science symposium is available online: http://www.radcliffe.edu/events/calendar_2011motors.aspx.

About the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute’s commitment to women, gender, and society. Learn more about the people and programs of the Radcliffe Institute at www.radcliffe.edu.