Dreaming big in the city that never sleeps

Meeting of the minds that matter

A shared curiosity into the principles governing and underlying the transition from matter to life brought scientists and PhD candidates from either side of the pond to share their research and insights into this field. The first joint Matter to Life conference between Max Planck School and the Sloan Foundation took place in New York, from October 14-16. Two Matter to Life programs; ours a study program that focusses on training the next generation of researchers, and theirs a grant program that funds research in this field, came together to shape the future of this novel and incipient space.

Group picture of the Matter-to-Life conference participants

When likes attract (disobeying the laws of physics)

When the chair of our school, Joachim Spatz, realized we did not hold the monopoly over the appellation of Matter to Life, reaching out to our namesake was the next logical step. A patchy video call portended the evolution of a fruitful collaboration that involved connecting and forging networks amongst researchers working in this specialized field. To realize this objective the Sloan Foundation’s Matter to Life program, organized the first joint conference between the two organizations. The historic Rockefeller centre served as the backdrop for this 3-day conference. Around 40 of our researchers, including fellows and PhD candidates, travelled to New York, and had the chance to present their latest findings to their counterparts from the Sloan Foundation, and vice versa.

Rocking the Rockefeller

Earnie Glover and Joachim Spatz speak at the "Matter to Life Conference," both holding a microphone at a podium, with a presentation screen and audience in the background

A warm welcome from Ernie Glover (Program Director, Sloan Foundation Matter to Life) and Joachim Spatz (Chair, Max Planck School Matter to Life) who also introduced their respective organizations kick-started the program. The director of the Sloan Foundation Adam Falk, a theoretical physist also joined as an audience member, propelled by his curiosity of the research conducted under this umbrella term.

A person presents information on a board to an attentive group of three people in a light-flooded room.
A large group of the Matter-to-Life conference participants seated in rows in a modern conference room, watching a presentation displayed on a screen at the front of the room
Two people are standing in front of a poster and discussing its content in a room with brick walls and large windows.
Two persons looking at a scientific poster, the woman is explaining something to the man.
A conference room with a speaker presenting at a podium and a large screen, with attendees seated and a 'Matter to Life' banner in the background.
4 women standing in front of a scientific poster and discussing
Two people have gathered around a scientific poster and are discussing.
A sign "Studio Gather by Tishman Speyer" located in Rockefeller Plaza
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Two people stand in front of a poster display, discussing its content.
Two people are standing in front of a poster and discussing its content in a room with brick walls and large windows overlooking the city.

The 3-day conference included talks by senior investigators from a wide array of fields and topics of research. Model systems from viruses to bacteria to slime were used to explain concepts of self assembly, biomembranes and synthetic vesicles, active flow and motility, and bottom-up synthetic assembly. PhD candidates also had the chance to showcase their latest results through poster presentation and receive feedback throughout the conference days from experts. The multitude of questions interrogated by scientists from Germany and USA definitely impressed everyone, including Adam who appreciated the work done, and was left with his curiosity quenched.

Discussions during downtime

A group of Matter to Life conference participants converse in a bright lounge with brick walls, large windows, and modern furniture

The conference was specifically scheduled to ensure the attendees had a chance to discuss beyond the formal presentations. Ensconced in the couches, standing around a table, or tucked away in a corner, the air was thick with discussions and Socratic debates. The conference dinner at the swanky Oceana restaurant, ensured everyone could connect in a more informal setting over delicious food and drinks. Witnessing these interactions, one can be sure that they will develop and evolve beyond this conference into successful projects. As one of the attendees, Roseanna Zia, eloquently explained ‘Life is biology, before which was Chemistry, preceded by Physics, and the fundamental starting point- Mathematics.” The commitment of Matter to Life researchers to dissecting and understanding Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics of life was evident.

Two men discussing in a conference room, with a table and chairs visible in the background.
A group of participants at the Matter to Life conference are sitting at a table in a restaurant, chatting and drinking something.
A group of conference attendees stands in a lobby adorned with chandeliers during a restaurant reception
Three men engaged in conversation, one holding a coffee cup, creating a casual and collaborative atmosphere.
Three Matter to Life doctoral students sit in a cozy room with a view of the city in the background. Each holds a coffee cup and enjoys the company of the other.
In a room with chairs and tables, Frank Jülicher and Stefan Klumpp share a conversation, smiling and laughing.
Three individuals engaged in conversation
A group of individuals engaged in discussion around tables in a well-lit conference room setting
Four persons standing together and chatting
People seated on sofas and chairs in a bright room with brick walls and large windows, engaged in small group discussions, while a few individuals stand near the windows
Lively discussion between a group of people. One of the women laughs.
A group of Matter to Life conference participants gathered in a room, chatting and exchanging ideas.
Some people are sitting comfortably around a lounge table chatting.

We would like to thank all the attendees for making this a truly engaging event, with the networks forged extending beyond the confines of the conference. Our gratitude to Jeffery Cunningham, Program Coordinator, and Ernie Glover, Program Director of the Matter to Life program at the Sloan Foundation, for being our gracious hosts and the seamless organization. We have already kickstarted the planning of our next conference, this time hosted by us in Germany (need to find an impressive location that can rival Rockefeller, New York!) to reinforce our collaboration and to further research in the dynamic field of Matter to Life.

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