ABOUT
Self-assembly and interfacial processes are fundamental to biological function, from the organization of cell membranes to the development of pharmaceutical and food materials. SMILE brings together expertise in soft matter scattering and life science research to advance the use of neutron and X-ray techniques in understanding these processes in soft biological and bio-inspired systems.
The theme takes a cross-scale approach, exploring the relationship between structure and dynamics across length and timescales, with a focus on identifying commonalities in self-assembly mechanisms across different biomolecular systems. Beyond fundamental research, SMILE aims to drive biotechnological applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biobased materials. Activities are anchored at LINXS and developed in close collaboration with international networks and centers including COMMONS, the Danish lighthouse Caiff, SwedNess, the CLIMB MSCA Doctoral Network, and SoftComp.
Across all of these aims, SMILE is committed to building a concerted international effort that transfers knowledge between the soft matter scattering community and life science research, training the next generation of researchers and extending its impact well beyond the duration of the theme.
HAPPENING IN THEME
Pre-registration for the COMMONS - LINXS - SoftComp PhD Summer School on “Phase separation, condensation, and self-association in 2 and 3 dimensions – from basic principles to applications in life sciences” (Short title: “LLPS2026 PhD Summer School”; “LLPS” stands for "Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation”), taking place from August 24-26 (2.5 days; 1.5 ECTS) in Lund @ LINXS, is now open!
Registration for the COMMONS - LINXS - SoftComp Workshop on “Phase separation, condensation, and self-association in 2 and 3 dimensions – from basic principles to applications in life sciences” (Short title: “LLPS2026 Workshop”; “LLPS” stands for "Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation”), taking place from August 26-28 from lunch to lunch in Lund @ LINXS, is now open!
CORE GROUP
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WORKING GROUPS FOR SMILE
WorkING Group 1
Higher complexity in lipid self-assembly
Working Group 1 will focus on advancing the use of neutrons and X-rays to probe the dynamics and structure of complex lipid self-assemblies from nanoscale behavior to microscopic lipid structures in cells. A central goal is to connect lipid self-assembly in simplified systems to biological systems with higher complexity to identify and target common unanswered questions that can be solved with neutron and X-ray techniques. This will require development of experimental and data analysis methodologies to advance current capabilities and enable us to span the time and length scales required to study complex lipid systems.
WORKING GROUP 2
Pathways of multi-scale structure formation in macromolecular systems
Working Group 2 will focus on advancing the use of neutrons and X-rays to probe the dynamics and structure of complex macromolecular self-assemblies to understand the underlying assembly processes in their mechanistic complexity. A central goal is to understand how intermediate and precursor structures enable biological (mal)function as well as application potentials for pharmaceutical and food formulations. Besides a multi-modal and multi-scale picture, we will in particular advance timeresolved methodologies and related data-analysis frameworks.
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