It is the second day of the BPS meeting and although the jet lag is still throwing off my sleep schedule, I am more than ready to start the morning attending the “Voltage-gated channel platform”. To fight my jet lag, I have my double shot of espresso, my notebook and a seat in the front row. 

Stepping into the lecture hall, you could feel the thrill radiating through the room, as if the bright sun of LA was radiating the entire room of the convention center. The session started with a brilliant introduction to the session from the co-chairs, Dr Angelika Janaszkiewicz and Dr Selimi Zoja, and then it was go time!

This session delved into various aspects of sodium and calcium channels, spanning from molecular mechanism of channel regulations to the involvement of the channel in diseases.  All talks were very interesting and inspiring and gave us opportunities to learn the latest findings about those fascinating families of ion channels. 

After a morning of inspiring platform talks, it was time to refuel the energy for the afternoon sessions with a delicious quick lunch. Just in front of the conference center you will find the Bluestone Lane coffee shops that serves delicious sandwiches and pastries, of which avocado toast is definitely my favorite on the menu!

With a full belly, a completely refreshed mind (it’s incredible what food can do) and double shot of espresso, it was time to head to the Exhibit Hall for another amazing poster session.

Entering the hall, filled with many posters displays and many people, might feel intimidating – especially for a first-time attendee; but poster sessions are an incredible opportunity for networking and connecting with people and they are one of my favorite sessions to attend. It might be because of the less formal atmosphere compared to a talk, or for the one-to-one setting, but I love navigating poster sessions. 

And today I came prepared: coffee, BPS app with a note mark on the posters I am interested in, and extra time to visit posters that stretch beyond my research topic. And yes, before you ask,this is absolutely another reason why I love poster sessions:branching out of your topic and learn something different at each session.

From voltage-gated channels to computational neuroscience, intrinsically disordered proteins, membrane protein structure and many more, this poster exhibition had it all. 

I also had some spare time to grab some popcorn and more coffee (coffee is always a good idea) and I headed to check out the vendor section. 

This day at the BPS was filled with exciting talks and poster sessions and genuinely an amazing day of scientific content! I am super charged and ready for another round into biophysics for day 3 of the BPS meeting.

 

I hope everybody is enjoying the conference as much as I am!