• Monday 10 July - Wednesday 12 July 2023 : Annual Conference

Physiology 2023

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  • Date

    Mon 10 - Wed 12 Jul 2023

  • Location

    Harrogate Convention Centre, North Yorkshire, UK

Why attend?

Our Annual Conference is your opportunity to network with the global community of physiologists. Enjoy a warm welcome with first class science and exciting Prize Lectures, all in the historic Victorian spa town of Harrogate.

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Members of The Physiological Society receive a reduced registration rate – don’t miss out!

  1. Forge new collaborations across our global community
    We know that networking is one of the most important aspects of our conferences. Physiology 2023 will bring together physiologists from across the globe. World experts, educators, and researchers at all career stages will come together to discuss their work and make new connections.
  2. Receive real time feedback on your research
    With opportunities to present posters and oral communications, as well as participate in small group discussions, Physiology 2023 will provide a wealth of fantastic opportunities to receive real time feedback from peers and colleague on your research.
  3. Advance your knowledge by engaging with cutting edge science
    Across the three-day scientific programme, you will hear from world leading physiologists discussing their latest research. With our inspirational Prize Lectures, symposia and workshops, our conference will feature physiology from across our Scientific Themes. With opportunities to interact and ask questions, this is a great way to advance your knowledge.
  4. Enhance your career with our Training Hub sessions
    Our professional development programme will focus on the core areas members have told us they value. These will be tailored to support you in advancing to the next stage in your career.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Annual Conference Highlights

See the highlights from our last in-person conference, Physiology 2019 in Aberdeen, UK

Enhancing student experience and graduate outcomes through inclusive physiology

Dr David Greensmith, University of Salford, UK

Auditorium

Organisers: Professor Christopher Torrens, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland and Dr Katherine Rogers, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland

Teaching students textbook values for rates, volumes and concentrations may help them understand homeostasis but it glosses over physiological diversity. With diversity and inclusion now major themes, it prompts us to look at how we teach and encourage the idea of variation and diversity in physiology in commonly overlooked areas such as sex differences and challenge those on a more questionable footing, such as racial differences. The symposium will highlight some of this variation and approaches of ways to address this in a curriculum. 

10:00 Unseen communities in the physiology classroom
Marie Bowers, University of Glasgow, UK and Dr Iain Rowe, University of Aberdeen, UK
10:20 Creating an inclusive learning environment and curriculum
Dr Marian Brennan, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland
10:40 Inclusive pedagogy: Are your assessments bias?
Dr Adrienne King, Georgia State University, Atlanta, US
11:00 ED&I: What role for ethnicity in lung function testing?
Professor Brendan Cooper, University of Birmingham, UK
11:20 Discussion

Organisers: Dr Matteo Mangoni, Institute of Functional Genomics, France and Dr Alicia D’Souza, University of Manchester, UK

Heart automaticity is reliant on sinoatrial node pacemaker activity. Genetic or pathologic factors may lead to failure of generating the pacemaker impulse. During the last three years, exciting discoveries in sinoatrial node physiology are rocking our accepted views of the mechanisms underlying pacemaking and shine new light into the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying sinoatrial node dysfunction. This symposium will present and discuss new unexpected roles of ion channels in the generation and regulation of pacemaker activity, provide detailed portrait of the functional and molecular landscape of pacemaker tissue in health and disease and indicate new pharmacologic and gene therapy strategies to rescue sinoatrial node dysfunction. 

10:00 SA01 A day-night rhythm in the heart including the sinoatrial node: An intrinsic mechanism and neurohumoral regulation
Professor Mark Boyett, University of Bradford, UK
10:20 SA02 Inflammatory remarks: Targeting pro-inflammatory Galectin-3 prevents cardiac conduction system dysfunction in heart failure
Dr Alicia D'Souza, University of Manchester, UK
10:40 SA03 The switch from nonfiring to firing mode in cells of the sinoatrial node
Dr Stefanie Fenske, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
11:00 Mechanisms of sinoatrial node dysfunction in heart failure
Dr Thassio Mesquita, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, California, US

Organisers: Professor Bethan Phillips, University of Nottingham, UK and Dr Iain Gallagher, Edinburgh Napier University, UK

Chairs: Dr Iain Gallagher, Edinburgh Napier University, UK and Dr Colleen Deane, University of Southampton, UK

Loss of skeletal muscle mass in response to mechanical unloading is associated with broad and profound physiological consequences across both healthy and clinical cohorts. Despite this impact, the true temporality of muscle atrophy has not yet been determined, nor have the underlying metabolic mechanism(s). As such, in the absence of such definitive insights, efficacious interventions to minimise physiological perturbations associated with disuse atrophy are lacking. Exploring knowledge yielded from multi-modal experimental approaches and novel methodologies, this symposium will focus on the physiological and metabolic disturbances associated with disuse atrophy and the impact of skeletal muscle disuse on other organ systems.

Partly supported by an unrestricted educational grant from BBSRC & MRC MyAge Network. MyAge is one of the UK Ageing Networks.

10:00 The mechanistic basis of disuse atrophy
Professor Philip Atherton, University of Nottingham, UK
10:30 SA04 Transcriptomic responses to disuse muscle atrophy and exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy
Dr Colleen Deane, University of Southampton, UK
10:45 Neural adaptations to muscle disuse
Dr Mathew Piasecki, University of Nottingham, UK
11:00 The impact of inactivity on peripheral and central vascular function
Professor Maureen MacDonald, McMaster University, Canada
10:00 C29 Exposure of bronchial epithelial cells to hyperglycaemia alters the airway surface liquid proteome
Professor Deborah Baines, St George's University of London, UK
10:15 C30 Identifying salivary biomarkers for epithelial cell susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Dr Samuel Ellis, University College London, UK
10:30 C31 Towards an understanding of proton activated chloride (PAC) channel regulation by GqPCR signalling
Claire Pearson, University of Oxford, UK
10:45 C32 How ageing airways affect neutrophil migration during early SARS-CoV-2 infection
Tereza Masonou, University College London, UK
11:00 C33 Voltage-gated Na+ channel activity in breast cancer cells increases glycolytic rate, which acidifies the tumour microenvironment
Dr Theresa Leslie, University of York, UK
11:15 C34 Transepithelial fluid and electrolyte transport in a human choroid plexus cell line in response to TRPV4 stimulation
Professor Bonnie Blazer-Yost, Indiana University, Purdue University of Indianapolis, USA
10:00 C35 Extreme apnea in humans promotes cerebral oxidative-nitrosative stress and structural destabilisation of the neurovascular unit
Professor Damian Bailey, University of South Wales, UK
10:15 C36 Exercise promotes an inflammatory response proportional to the dose of exercise that transiently impairs insulin sensitivity in young healthy males
Elizabeth Wrench, Lancaster University Medical School, UK
10:30 C37 The effect of female breast surface area on heat-activated sweat gland density and output
Hannah Blount, University of Southampton, UK
10:45 C38 Morning exercise reduces glycaemia in people with Type 2 Diabetes also being prescribed metformin
Brenda Pena Carrillo, University of Aberdeen, UK
11:00 C39 Physically fit adult humans show similar heat tolerance between sexes, even when compared during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
Professor James Cotter, University of Otago, New Zealand
12:00 Biophysical and molecular mechanisms of voltage-gated sodium channel gating: A quarter-century of resurgent sodium current

Professor Indira Raman, Northwestern University, US

Auditorium

This session will provide you with essential information to show why you should care about intellectual property (IP). Dr Sara Holland and Kevin Rich will discuss IP in a research context covering what it is, the patenting process, and how patents can generate revenue.   

It will explore:  

  • Types of IP 
  • Overview of patents and types of patent 
  • The patenting process 
  • Potential ways to commercialise/generate revenue from your patents  
  • How to have discussions with third parties 

Speaker panel:

Dr Sarah Holland, Potter Clarkson
Dr Kevin Rich, Potter Clarkson

Chair:

Dr Irene Di Giulio, King’s College London, UK

This session will cast a spotlight on funding allocated to human physiology research and facilitate this research community to better demonstrate the importance of human participant testing to funding bodies. Join us and researchers with different experiences in securing funding to discuss options, and finding constructive solutions to help close the funding gap compared to other research models.  

  • Discuss the current level of funding for human physiology in the UK  
  • Hear examples of best practice and pitfalls in research applications  
  • Discuss creative approaches to improve the situation and create a community of researchers interested in communicating our views, possibly via a publication in one of The Society journals 

Speaker panel: 

Professor Phillip Atherton, University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Davide Filingeri, University of Southampton, UK
Dr Dilys Freeman, University of Glasgow, UK
Dr Javier Gonzalez, University of Bath, UK 

Organisers:
Dr Joern Steinert, University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Hannah Scheiblich, University of Bonn, Germany

Nitric oxide (NO) signalling in the brain is responsible for numerous physiological and pathological signalling. NO has been first ascribed essential for the regulatory mechanisms mediated through its primary receptor, soluble guanylyl cyclase. This so-called Janus molecule is involved in regulating survival, synaptic activity and plasticity and memory function, processes involving post-translational protein modifications which include S-nitrosylation and 3-nitrotyrosination. The production of the highly reactive and diffusible free radical gas is further associated with neuroinflammatory signalling involving microglia activation. Over recent years, studies of nitrergic signalling revealed new evidence for its role in physiology and disease and this symposium will present recent findings within the field.

 

14:30 Nitric oxide: From systems biology to drug targets in autism spectrum disorders
Dr Haitham Amal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
15:00 SA05 Microglia care for neurons through tunneling nanotubes
Dr Hannah Scheiblich, University of Bonn, Germany
15:15 SA06 Boosting nitric oxide bioavailability as a strategy for enhancing neurovascular coupling and preventing cognitive dysfunction
Cátia Lourenço Marques, University of Coimbra, Portugal
15:30 Hidden networks of transnitrosylated proteins underlie the synaptic loss causing cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases
Professor Stuart Lipton, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, US

Organisers:

Dr Catherine Notarius, University of Toronto, Canada
Dr John Floras, University of Toronto, Canada

Our assembled group of both early and late career experts from the UK and Canada will provide an up-to-date overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the benefits and risks associated with sympathetic activation at rest and during exercise in both health and disease states. Within this context, aging, hypertension, and heart failure will be highlighted as well as the autonomic effect of exercise training.

Partly supported by an unrestricted educational grant by Canadian Science Publishing 

14:30 SA07 Sympathetic neural responses and adaptation to the challenge of exercise, and to high altitude stress
Dr Jonathan Moore, Bangor University, UK
15:00 SA08 Altered blood pressure regulation during simulated orthostatic stress in exercise trained premenopausal women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea
Dr Emma O'Donnell, Loughborough University, UK
15:15 SA09 Blood pressure control during exercise: Implications for hypertension
Dr Ben Chant, University of Bristol, UK
15:30 SA10 Abnormal reflex rise in sympathetic activity during exercise in heart failure and the impact of exercise training
Dr Catherine F. Notarius, University of Toronto, Canada

Organisers:

Dr Peying Fong, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, US
Dr Morag Mansley, University of St. Andrews, UK

This symposium focuses on the topic of viroporins – viral proteins that act as ion channels. Through their ion channel function, viroporins confer functional advantage to viruses and thereby promote viral fusion, propagation, and release—elements essential for the viral life cycle that necessarily determine pathogenicity and virulence. Curating the most recent and exciting findings from leading investigators working on these intriguing proteins, this Symposium updates the collective understanding of viroporins, from their fundamental properties to their roles in supporting viral diseases of both perennial and recent concern.  

Partly supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Nanion Technologies GmbH.

14:30 SA11 Viroporins: Structure, function and potential as antiviral targets
Professor Stephen Griffin, University of Leeds, UK
15:00 Role and purpose of microbial rhodopsins in giant viruses
Dr Dmitrii Zabelskii, European XFEL, Germany
15:15 SA13 The SARS-CoV-2 accessory protein Orf3a is not an ion channel, but does interact with trafficking proteins
Dr Alexandria Miller, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, US
15:30 Novel ion channels encoded by SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Professor Mette Marie Rosenkilde, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
14:30 C01 Cardiovascular effects of in utero Angiotensin II exposure in a rat model of superimposed preeclampsia
Sol Olivera, University of Glasgow, UK
14:45 C02 Ventricular repolarization abnormalities and arrhythmogenesis in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Dr Ewan Douglas Fowler, Cardiff University, UK
15:00 C03 Blunted cAMP signalling is ameliorated by Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 in a model of diabetic cardiomyopathy using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Rhea Takhar, University of Oxford, UK
15:15 C04 Neuropeptide Y signalling in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes
Carla Handford, University of Oxford, UK
15:30 C05 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) alters iron status
Dr Mayra Vera Aviles, University of Oxford, UK
15:45 C06 Relaxation of cardiac pericytes contributes to cardioprotection mediated by remote ischaemic preconditioning
Dr Svetlana Mastitskaya, University College London, UK
14:30 C13 Escape "The Emergency Department": Design and evaluation of a digital escape room to encourage medical students to apply their knowledge of cardiac electrophysiology
Dr Margaux Horn, Keele University, UK
14:45 C14 "What is Physiology?" Interview insights straight from the physiologists' mouths
Dr Harley Stevenson-Cocks, Newcastle University, UK
15:00 C15 Science travels: Reaching out to Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman and Boater communities through physiology
Marie Bowers, University of Glasgow, UK and Dr Iain Rowe, University of Aberdeen, UK
15:15 C16 Evaluating the implementation of journal clubs into the biomedicine curriculum to promote physiological research and increase graduate capital
Dr Matthew Jones, University of Salford, UK
15:30 C17 What do students want from practical classes?
Professor Matthew Mason, University of Cambridge, UK
15:45 C18 A multifaceted approach to building more employable Biomedicine graduates
Dr Sara Namvar, University of Salford, UK
Poster Communications A
18:00 Kings and Queens of the Mountains: Human physiology at high altitude

Professor Andrew Murray, University of Cambridge, UK

Auditorium

Follow the journey of two recent publications in Society journals from first submission to print.

Authors, and editors, will discuss the experience on both sides of peer review and share their insights on the process. By attending you will gain first hand insider knowledge on the process, develop your submission skills to improve your chances of being published, and learn from the experience of leading journal editors.

Professor Damian Bailey, University of South Wales, UK
Professor Kim Barrett, UC Davis School of Medicine, US
Dr Peying Fong, Kansas State University, US
Professor Peter Kohl, University Heart Centre Freiburg, Germany
Benjamin Stacey, University of South Wales, UK

Organiser:
Professor Toby Mundel, Brock University, Ontario, Canada

Extreme heat events result in dramatic increases in mortality and morbidity, yet our knowledge of the response and adaptation to heat stress relies heavily on data from men. Understanding the unique physiology of women remains a research priority as oestrogen and progesterone play important non-reproductive roles that can influence temperature regulation. Without understanding female physiology, we cannot optimise strategies to avert heat-related pathophysiology. This symposium brings together speakers with a common goal of updating our knowledge and challenging future research on autonomic and cardiovascular control, the neurophysiology of temperature and wetness sensing, occupational heat exposure, and the comparative adaptive response.

 

10:00 SA14 Autonomic control of body temperature and blood pressure in women: Overlap of integrative mechanisms
Dr Nisha Charkoudian, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, US
10:25 SA15 Physiological adaptations to heat stress in women: Potential "advantages" and "disadvantages" relative to men
Dr Gabrielle Giersch, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, US
10:45 SA16 Using exercise physiology to address gender health inequalities in climate change and occupational health research
Dr Rebekah Lucas, University of Birmingham, UK
11:05 SA17 Female thermal sensitivity across the life span: A hot journey
Dr Davide Filingeri, University of Southampton, UK

Organisers:

Dr Michael Gray, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, UK
Dr Carlos Flores, Centro de Estudios Científicos, Valdivia, Chile

The last few years have seen an unprecedented expansion in our understanding of the different cell types that constitute the human airways. This has led to major advances in defining cell lineage, differentiation as well as the identification of novel and rare cell types. The major aim of this symposium is to provide new insights into the function of rare cell types and their interaction with other epithelial and immune cells. It will also illustrate how this information can be utilised to develop new therapeutic strategies for important airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and COVID-19. 

10:00 Brush cells orchestrate innate epithelial defence mechanisms in the airways
Professor Wolfgang Kummer, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
10:30 SA18 Studies of the distribution of CFTR-rich Ionocytes in mouse airway epithelium
Dr Sandra Villanueva, Centro de Estudios Científicos, Valdivia, Chile
10:45 SA19 Morphological, molecular and functional analysis of airway epithelial cell types
Dr Arianna Venturini, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples, Italy
11:00 SA20 Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells: Rare, but not dispensable
Professor Xin Sun, University of California, San Diego, US

Organiser:

Dr Fabien Brette, INSERM, France

Cardiovascular diseases are the first leading cause of death in developed countries. The use of animal models has made substantial contribution to increase our knowledge, providing new approaches focused to improve the diagnostic and the treatment of these pathologies. The aim of the symposium is to provide a forum on recent developments in cardiac physiology from the point of view of “unusual” animal models. We can learn from fishes, reptiles, not only to provide an advance of scientific knowledge but also for biomedicine, i.e. cardiac translational research.

10:00 Why mammals and birds evolved a divided heart when becoming endothermic?
Professor Tobias Wang, Aarhus University, Denmark 
10:30 Ventricular repolarization in the ectothermic and endothermic heart: Adaptations to high heart rate  
Dr Bas Boukens, University Maastricht, The Netherlands
10:45 Zebrafish as a model for studying cardiac physiology and development
Dr Adele Faucherre, CNRS, France
11:00 SA21 Calcium cycling in the avian heart: The missing link in vertebrate cardiac evolution
Professor Holly Shiels, University of Manchester, UK

 

10:00 C50 Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in aged rats muscle
Hui Tien Liu, University of Nottingham, UK
10:15 C51 Developing a mass spectrometry-based workflow to investigate ubiquitin signalling networks in aged skeletal muscle
Samuel Lord, University of Birmingham, UK
10:30 C52 Identification of new human obesity genes from studying a canine obesity model
Dr Eleanor Raffan, University of Cambridge, UK
10:45 C53 Mild hypoxia augments acute temperature sensing in the rat carotid body
Demitris Nathanael, University of Birmingham, UK
11:00 C54 Investigating the efficacy of senolytics in wound healing using a human ex-vivo wound model
Arslan Shakeel, Hull York Medical School, UK
10:00 C19 Addressing problem-solving in exams with an optional classroom session on lung function tests
Dr Harry Witchel, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
10:15 C20 Developing authentic assessment by using a design sprint methodology
Dr Ruth Norman, University of Leeds, UK
10:30 C21 The impact of colour in learning environments on neurodivergent learners: How can we create accessible learning spaces for autistic students?
Professor Derek Scott, University of Aberdeen, UK
10:45 C22 Mind maps and core concepts can help nurses manage complexity in physiology learning
Dr Laura Ginesi, University of East Anglia, UK
11:00 C23 Education about the physiology of death and dying in the training of healthcare practitioners: Do we need to do more?
Jessica Anderson and Stefan Naczk, University of Aberdeen, UK
12:00 The place of physiology in the neuroscience of memory

Professor Richard Morris, University of Edinburgh, UK

Auditorium

Chair:

Dr Nick Freestone, Kingston University, UK

The session aims to share good practice in the use of invertebrate and immature vertebrate in biology, physiology and pharmacology practical education. The panel will explore and discuss how, as a sector, we can create new inspirational educational experiences that involve these species in physiology and the broader biosciences education.   

  • Describe invertebrate biology and behaviour 
  • Discuss current use of invertebrates and immature non-human vertebrates 
  • Share examples of the successful translation of physiology and pharmacology practical experiences from rodents to invertebrates and non-human vertebrates 

Speaker panel: 

Dr Laura Corns, University of Sheffield, UK
Dr James Rouse, University of Leeds, UK
Dr Aidan Seeley, Swansea University, UK

The “Meet the Editors” workshop is an opportunity for all conference attendees to meet and talk with the editors of the conference-associated journals – The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports.  

Editors will answer questions about the journals, discuss the submission and review processes, and provide attendees with advice on how to increase the likelihood of publication. Jackie Jones from Wiley will also be in attendance to discuss and answer any questions on Open Access. 

Professor Peter Kohl, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Physiology
Professor Damian Bailey, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Physiology
Professor Jo Adams, Editor-in-Chief of Physiological Reports
Jackie Jones, Wiley

Organisers:

Professor Peter Kohl, University Heart Centre Freiburg, Germany
Dr Bernard Drumm, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland
Professor T. Alexander Quinn, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

This symposium will focus on ‘Pacemaking in Multicellular Organ Systems’ and will combine talks from experts in the field of cellular pacemaking across a diverse range of physiological systems. Talks will be written up as Topical Review articles, which will form the backbone of a special issue that will be published in The Journal. 

14:30 SA22 Pacing intracellular Ca2+ signals in exocrine cells
Professor David Yule, University of Rochester, US
15:00 Pacemaking in the heart: A redundant system of coupled oscillators under auto-regulatory and neurohormonal control
Dr Eilidh MacDonald, University of Glasgow, UK 
15:15 Pacemaking in the myometrium
Professor Susan Wray, University of Liverpool, UK
15:30 SA23 Origin of rhythmicity in the bladder and urethra
Dr Bernard Drumm, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland
15:45 SA24 Peristaltic pacemakers of the upper urinary tract
Dr Nathan Grainger, University of Nevada, Reno, US

Organisers:

Dr Leigh Breen, University of Birmingham, UK andDr Bradley Elliott, University of Westminster, UK

Over recent years there has been a growing interest surrounding the use of cell culture to enhance our understanding of metabolic processes which support cell growth, in response to differing disease conditions and potential countermeasures. While many established models provide valuable mechanistic insights, translation to in vivo human work remain limited due to supraphysiological culturing conditions. The ex-vivo co-culture model aims to bridge this gap and create a systemic environment representative of differing disease and injury states. This symposium aims to discuss the history and practicality of the ex vivo co-culture model, alongside methodological considerations for this model moving forwards.   

14:30 Development and applications of the serum co-culture model
Dr Bradley Elliott, University of Westminster, UK
15:00 SA25 The use of ex vivo human serum to study age and chronic inflammatory disease related muscle cell atrophy
Dr Sophie Allen, University of Birmingham, UK
15:15 SA26 The effect of female sex hormones on human skeletal muscle metabolism: An ex vivo/in vitro approach
Dr Sophie Joanisse, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
15:30 SA27 A translational model of muscle protein synthetic bioactivity using ex vivo human serum
Dr Brian Carson, University of Limerick, Ireland

Organisers:

Dr Harry Witchel, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, UK and Dr Michael Lee, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, US

Technology is revolutionising the way we teach, from lecture capture to real time polling of students. These technologies are providing us with literally unprecedented educational opportunities, from teaching through a pandemic to engaging every student in a classroom, without fear or embarrassment. The inclusive possibilities are utopian. We invite you to discuss, uncover and participate in the overlooked potential and challenges to drive education forward. Launching these discussions will be Dr Michael Lee (Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, US) on flipped classroom, Dr Sabine Uijl (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) on video feedback and online courses, Professor Louise Robson (University of Sheffield, UK) on lecture capture and pandemic learning, and Professor John McLachlan (University of Central Lancashire, UK) on student cheating.

14:30 Introduction
Dr Harry Witchel, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, UK
14:35 How to undermine the beneficial effects of flipped classroom learning
Dr Michael Lee, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, US
14:50 SA28 SPOCs, video feedback, and finding benefits from ed tech where others do not look
Dr Sabine Uijl, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
15:05 SA29 Pandemic positives: How technology changed how we teach and assess, and what does the next challenge look like
Professor Louise Robson, University of Sheffield, UK
15:20 Group Activity and Feedback 
15:40 What do we think about cheating? How do our students think about cheating? And what do we do about it, in an AI world?
Professor John McLachlan, University of Central Lancashire, UK
15:55 Closing Remarks
14:30 C40 Influence of ADORA2A and CYP1A2 genotypes on caffeine metabolism in healthy adults
Dr Alexander Carswell, University of East Anglia, UK
14:45 C41 Hygrosense: Mapping skin wetness sensitivity across the body of children, young, and older adults
Alessandro Valenza, University of Palermo, Italy and Dr Davide Filingeri, University of Southampton, UK
15:00 C42 Complex force control is improved following 6-weeks resistance training in older males independent of motor unit firing variability
Dr Eleanor Jones, University of Nottingham, UK
15:15 C43 Exploring the impact of short-term unilateral targeted force accuracy training on bilateral muscle function in older adults
Abdulmajeed Altheyab, University of Nottingham, UK
15:30 C44 The effect of exercise intensity on calcium metabolism
Dr Scott Hannah, University of Winchester, UK
14:30 C07 Ultrastructural dynamics of contracting cardiomyocytes
Joachim Greiner, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany
14:45 C08 Characterisation of a 3D placenta-on-a-chip model utilising trophoblasts differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Dr Colin Murdoch, University of Dundee, UK
15:00 C09 The impact of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid on arterial pressure: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
David Brennan, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
15:15 C10 A novel patch-clamp based method for stimulating monolayers of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial-like cardiomyocytes reduces electrophysiological heterogeneity and promotes consistent responses to SK channel inhibition
Dr Andrew Butler, University of Bristol, UK
15:30 C11 Effect of altered lipid trafficking on the modulation of vascular tone by the TMEM16A chloride channel
Dr Rumaitha Al-hosni, University of Oxford, UK
15:45 C12 Systemic shear stress sensing and coronary microvascular network are altered in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Nabil Nicolas, University of Bordeaux, France
Poster Communications B
18:00 Store-operated calcium channels: From nanodomains to in vivo patho-physiology

Professor Anant Parekh, NIEH, NIH, US

Auditorium

08:00 Strengthening the Bond between Physiologists and Clinicians

Queen’s Suite 2

 
Join us for this breakfast briefing where we will explore how The Society can provide the catalyst to bridge the gap between advances in basic science, translation research and their applications to medicine by providing clinicians and physiologists with a platform to learn, connect and inspire. 
 
This will increase the application, impact and communication of clinically related output from physiology.  It will also create an environment where clinicians can reach out to existing physiological themes for advice, discussion and collaboration, and provide a basis from which meetings can be launched. 
 
Professor Mike Tipton (University of Portsmouth, UK) and Dr Patrick Morgan (Consultant Anaesthetist, North Bristol NHS Trust, UK) will spotlight recent collaborations with clinical colleagues, and clinically focused societies, and share case studies with physiological and clinical aspects. There will then follow an insightful question and answer session.
 
Complimentary pastries and refreshments will be served outside the room in the Queen’s Suite foyer.
 
In association with the Intensive Care Society.   

Diabetes is characterised by widespread metabolic disturbances, impaired insulin signalling and glucose homeostasis. The talks in this session will each consider aspects of systemic disturbances, including perturbations of inter-organ signaling, placing them into the context of disease progression. The roles of dysregulated lipid handling, platelet function and pancreatic amylin secretion will be considered, and metabokine-mediated inter-organ signalling pathways will be considered as possible therapeutic intervention.

Organisers:

Dr Paul Meakin, University of Leeds, UK
Professor Andrew Murray, University of Cambridge, UK

09:00 Dysregulated lipid signalling in diabetes
Dr Lisa Heather, University of Oxford, UK
09:30 The role of adenylyl cyclase 6 in platelet function, haemostasis, and thrombosis
Dr Beth Webb, University of Leeds, UK
09:45 Amylin aggregation and suppression of mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the diabetic heart
Alice Knapton, University of Cambridge, UK
10:00 Inter-organ metabokine signalling in the regulation of systemic metabolism: A therapeutic for obesity and diabetes?
Professor Lee Roberts, University of Leeds, UK

Organisers:

Dr Siana Jones, University College London, UK
Dr Gemma Bale, University of Cambridge, UK

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) offers safe, non-invasive assessment of microvascular haemodynamics in human tissue permitting a multitude of innovative applications. Despite the vast potential, limitations exist and interpretation of the signals during some applications can be challenging. This cross-disciplinary symposium provides an opportunity for attendees to hear from both expert physiologists and expert developers of novel NIRS technology. The session aims to harbour an honest discussion into the strengths, limitations and recent developments of NIRS with a focus on use in cerebral and skeletal muscle tissue.

 

09:00 SA30 Non-invasive evaluation of skeletal muscle oxidative function in vivo in health and disease: An exercise physiology perspective by near-infrared spectroscopy
Professor Bruno Grassi, University of Udine, Italy
09:30 SA31 Measuring cerebrovascular function in humans in response to dietary interventions
Dr Catarina Rendeiro, University of Birmingham, UK
09:45 SA32 Advancing clinical physiological monitoring with state-of-the-art diffuse optics techniques
Dr Frederic Lange, University College London, UK
10:00 SA33 Dual slopes in diffuse optics: Applications to the brain and skeletal muscle
Professor Sergio Fantini, Tufts University, US

Organisers:

Dr Caroline Jolley, King’s College London, UK
Professor Bill Sheel, The University of British Columbia, Canada

Our understanding and study of the mechanics of the lung, chest wall and respiratory muscles has lengthy historical roots. There has been a recent resurgence in the field of respiratory mechanics, where new insights have been gleaned from advances in experimental techniques applied to studying humans under different physiologically-relevant states. The aim of this symposium is to highlight how new methodological tools can be applied to studying breathing mechanics at the ‘extremes’ of age, environment, health and disease, and will discuss how these insights can be translated to improved outcomes for clinical populations and our fundamental understanding of human physiology.  

 

09:00 SA34 The relationship between respiratory mechanics and neural control of respiratory muscles
Dr Anna Hudson, Neuroscience Research Australia and University of New South Wales, Australia
09:30 SA35 Respiratory mechanics, breathlessness and exercise limitation in health and disease
Dr Rebecca D'Cruz, Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
09:45 Breathing mechanics under high G acceleration relevant to suborbital spaceflight
Dr Ross Pollock, King's College London, UK
10:00 SA36 The effects of ageing on the respiratory physiology of exercise
Professor Bill Sheel, The University of British Columbia, Canada
09:00 C61 On the regulation of arterial blood pressure by intracranial baroreceptor mechanism
Pippa Chapman, University College London, UK
09:15 C62 Folate intake, nitric oxide bioavailability and cognitive decline in retired rugby union players
Dr Teresa Filipponi, University of South Wales, UK
09:30 C63 Suppressed Triose-phosphate isomerase (TPI) activity affects synaptic vesicle release mechanisms and reduces Drosophila life span
Aelfwin Stone, University of Nottingham, UK
09:45 C64 In early Alzheimer's disease, the voltage-gated calcium channel blocker nimodipine relaxes pericytes, dilates capillaries, reduces capillary blockages, increases cerebral blood flow and decreases brain hypoxia
Professor David Attwell, University College London, UK
10:00 C65 Thalamic deep brain stimulation relieves hypercapnic induced air hunger
Tom Chapman, Oxford Brookes University, UK
10:15 C66 Sinusoidal electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates sympathetic nerve activity to muscle and skin in humans
Professor Vaughan Macefield, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
09:00 C24 Dietary fatty acids increase intestinal L cell numbers independent of the development of obesity
Dr Eva Rath, Technical University of Munich, Germany
09:15 C25 Pten knockout in preosteoblasts leads to changes in bone turnover and strength
Dr Antje Garten, Leipzig University, Germany
09:30 C26 The carotid body is involved in GLP-1 effects on glucose homeostasis
Dr Joana Sacramento, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
09:45 C27 The effect of two diabetes interventions on body composition and muscle function outcomes
Dr Oluwaseun Anyiam, University of Nottingham, UK
10:00 C28 Maternal obesity impacts the antioxidant response and adipogenic commitment of neonatal mesenchymal stem cells
Sofia Bellalta, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
Neuropeptide-Y: Being unsympathetic to the broken hearted

Professor Neil Herring, University of Oxford, UK

Auditorium

Organisers:

Dr Matthew Lancaster, University of Leeds, UK
Dr Sandra Jones, University of Hull, UK

The risk of cardiac arrhythmias increases progressively with advancing age. The basis for this can be seen at many scales within the heart whether this be in the progressive hypertrophy, reduction in maximum heart rate or reduced relaxation rate in older individuals. What is less clear is what to do to prevent this steady degradation of the heart. In this symposium we will go all the way from changes in the signals that regulate the heart to the patient end point identifying key changes that increase the incidence of arrhythmias in the elderly and how to combat this progressive issue.

13:00 Consequences of atrial remodelling in the ageing heart
Dr Katharine Dibb, University of Manchester, UK
13:30 The role of inflammation in ageing-related sinus node dysfunction
Megan McKie, University of Manchester, UK
13:45 Age and arrhythmogenesis in a sheep model of chronic myocardial infarction
Dr Richard Walton, Université de Bordeaux, France
14:00 Changes in ion channel expression which predispose to atrial arrhythmias in the elderly
Dr Sandra Jones, University of Hull, UK

Organisers:

Professor Omar Mahroo, University College London, UK
Dr Katie Williams, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK

Myopia is the commonest visual impairment and has been increasing dramatically worldwide. Most myopia results from excessive eye growth, which is driven by retinal signalling. Frank Schaeffel will review mechanisms of emmetropization (the emmetropic eye is one without refractive error). Victoria Stapley will discuss aspects of retinal processing in the myopic eye. Zihe Xu will review associations of some genetic myopia susceptibility loci with human retinal electrophysiology. Finally, Chris Hammond will review the current landscape of genetic variants that have been identified to confer risk of myopia, shedding light on pathways involved in its pathogenesis.

13:00 SA37 The mechanisms of emmetropization
Professor Frank Schaeffel, University of Tubingen, Germany
13:30 SA38 Aspects of retinal signalling in the myopic eye
Dr Victoria Stapley, University of Ulster, UK
13:45 SA39 Associations between myopia risk polymorphisms and retinal electrophysiology
Zihe Xu, King's College London, UK
14:00 SA40 The landscape of genetic variants conferring susceptibility to myopia in the general population
Professor Chris Hammond, King's College London, UK

Organisers:

Dr David Thwaites, Newcastle University, UK
Dr Catriona Anderson, Newcastle University, UK

Animal cells express unique combinations of Solute-like Carrier (SLC) transporters to enable cells to interact with, and control, their local environment and perform optimally. For example, SLC transporters: mediate neurotransmitter reuptake in the CNS; (re)absorb nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and kidney; impart a competitive advantage in cancer. However, despite decades of investigation, the complexity of each transporter’s physiological function is often unclear or incomplete. This symposium will highlight recent advances made in modelling SLC transporter function including: structural conservation of neurotransmitter reuptake transporters; novel insect models of pathophysiological conditions such as obesity and cancer; uncovering function of orphan transporters using metabolomics and network modelling; species-scanning comparative approaches to predict SLC transporter activity and physiological function.

13:00 SA41 Structural insights into the mechanism of glycine transport and inhibition 
Dr Azadeh Shahsavar, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
13:30 SA42 The extended SLC Atlas: Towards a unified view
Dr Gergely Gyimesi, University of Bern, Switzerland
13:45 SA43 Predicting the physiological function of SLC nutrient transporters in models of symbiosis
Dr Catriona Anderson, Newcastle University, UK
14:00 SA44 The role of SLC transporters in host-tumour metabolic interactions  
Dr Susumu Hirabayashi, Imperial College London, UK
13:00 C55 The exercise metabokine β-aminoisobutyric acid enhances physiological hepatic mitochondrial function and fatty acid β-oxidation
Shaimaa Gad, University of Leeds, UK
13:15 C56 RNA-Sequencing analysis of skeletal muscle in a loss-of-function model of a novel candidate obesity gene
Rashmi Sivasengh, University of Aberdeen, UK
13:30 C57 Lrg1 is a brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and white adipose tissue fatty acid oxidation regulating adipokine
Dr Amanda MacCannell, University of Leeds, UK
13:45 C58 Autocrine and paracrine effects of leptin on adipogenesis
Dr Mariami Jasaszwili, Leipzig University, Germany
14:00 C59 Unravelling the roles of GEFs and GAPs in Rho GTPase-regulated cytoskeletal, myonuclear, and metabolic dynamics
Dr Edmund Battey, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
14:15 C60 The effect of malnutrition on circulating pre- and post-prandial gastrointestinal hormones
Dr Ellen Besa, Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, Zambia
13:00 C45 Control of contraction in mammalian skeletal muscle by the thick and thin filaments
Dr Cameron Hill, King's College London, UK
13:15 C49 Cephalad fluid shifts associated with neuroprotective alterations in cerebral perfusion and haemostasis independent of systemic oxygenation
Danniella Hurt, University of South Wales, UK
13:30 C46 Disuse induced motor unit adaptation in atrophy resistant and atrophy susceptible muscles
Dr Thomas Inns, Nottingham Trent University, UK
13:45 C47 Local and systemic mediators of skeletal muscle wasting in humans following acute trauma
Harrison Gallagher, University of Leeds, UK
14:00 C48 Biophysical, thermo-physiological, and perceptual determinants of cool-seeking behaviour during exercise heat-stress in younger and older women
Alessandro Valenza, University of Palermo, Italy

Registration

Online registration is now closed. Onsite registration will be available, please email events@physoc.org for more information.

Before registering please read our event terms and conditions.

Please note that meat will not be provided at lunchtime unless specially requested by contacting the events team. All food will be vegetarian in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of our conferences.

Registration rates

   Membership category Early registration rate until 31 May 2023  Standard registration rate until 19 June 2023
Undergraduate & Master’s member £50.00 £100.00
Postgraduate Member £115.00 £175.00
Full Member (concessionary) *    £115.00 £175.00
Full Member £175.00 £300.00
Fellow Member £175.00 £300.00
Honorary Fellow £115.00 £175.00
Retired Member £115.00 £175.00
Non-Member £300.00 £400.00
ECR Non-Member * £200.00 £300.00
Society dinner £60.00  £60.00 

*please email events@physoc.org for the discount code

Member registration

In order to register as a member, you first need to log in with username and password. The system will default to the correct fee.

Should you have any queries, please email events@physoc.org

Non-member registration

In order to register as a non-member you need to create a guest account. By joining as a member, you will benefit from reduced registration and other key member benefits including:

  • Free online access to The Society’s three world-class journals
  • Free or discounted registration for Society events
  • Eligibility for Society’s grant schemes

To find out more about membership with The Society, please click here or email membership@physoc.org

Applying for a visa

Do you need a visa to be able to participate in the meeting?

To check whether you need a visa to be able to attend, please click here

For more detailed information, application forms and guidance notes, please visit the official UK visa website.

It is recommended that you apply for your visa well in advance (at least 12 weeks before the meeting) as applications for UK visas in certain countries can take longer than expected. Attendees are requested that they book early enough and apply for a visa with sufficient time prior to the conference.

The conference organisers cannot be held responsible if delegates do not receive their visas in time, and the cancellation policy will automatically apply. Every effort will be made to support genuine applications.The conference organisers are happy to provide you with documentation to support your application which will be sent as a PDF attachment. If you require a hard copy to be sent to you, please include your mailing (postal) address. The Physiological Society will only send via regular post.

Documentation to support visa applications will only be provided to those attendees who have registered to attend.

Please complete the webform below, and attach confirmation of your registration, and submitted abstract (if appropriate).

Supporting documentation will be distributed within 10 working days – it is the responsibility of the attendee to allow sufficient time for processing.

Please note that The Society are not involved with and cannot influence consular decisions.

Click here for the visa supporting documents form

Abstracts

Physiology 2023 Prize Lecture abstracts

Physiology 2023 Symposia abstracts

Physiology 2023 Oral Communication abstracts

Physiology 2023 Poster Communications A (Monday 10 July)

Physiology 2023 Poster Communications B (Tuesday 11 July)

Physiology 2023 Late-breaking Posters (Wednesday 12 July) 

Key information

Key dates

Registration opens 3 January 2023
Abstract submission opens 1 March 2023 
Abstract submission closes 31 March 2023 
Abstract decisions released 17 May 2023 
Late breaking poster submission 29 May 2023
Early bird registration deadline 31 May 2023 
Conference Attendance Award deadline  31 May 2023 
Registration deadline 19 June 2023 
Meeting dates 10 – 12 July 2023

Venue

The Annual Conference will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre, UK. 

Harrogate Convention Centre
Kings Road
Harrogate
HG1 5LA

Travel

By train 
Harrogate is linked to all major UK cities by train and the convention centre is a 7-minute walk from the train station. Taxi services are also available across the road from the entrance to the station.  

Plan your journey on the National Rail website.

Harrogate Convention Centre and LNER also offer a discount on train tickets. Click here for more information. 

By air
The closest airport to the convention centre is Leeds Bradford airport (LBA), which is around 20 minutes by bus/taxi. 

You can take the Airport Direct 747 bus from the airport to Harrogate Bus Station. From there it is a five-minute walk to the convention centre. This bus service runs hourly.  

A taxi will take 20 minutes and will cost around £25.  

For further travel information, please visit the Harrogate Convention Centre website.

Accommodation 
We do not have a specific conference hotel so that attendees are able to choose accommodation which meets their needs and budgets.  

The Crowne Plaza Harrogate and the Premier Inn Harrogate are connected to the convention centre, however there are a range of accommodation options nearby.  

For more information on these options, please visit the Harrogate Convention Centre website.

Support to Attend

The grant below supports attendance at our events.

Grants for Carers

We care because you do. We are aware that many of our Members have caring responsibilities or need care. We have funds allocated to help you with care costs to facilitate your attendance at meetings. 

Find out more

Conference Attendance Award

Up to £375 for the support of member engagement at our own meetings. The deadline for this conference is 31 May 2023. 

Find out more

Digital Media Kit

Help us promote The Society’s Annual Conference by sharing the event with your networks or on social media.  

Social media 

We have created some posts for you to share across your social media.

Download digital pack 

Telling colleagues and students 

If you think that this conference would appeal to any colleagues or students, we would appreciate it if you forwarded the details to them. 

Download Physiology 2023 poster 

Email 

We have created an email banner for you to add to your emails to help either promote your talk or your attendance at the conference. 

You can save the images below by right clicking on the banner and selecting save image as.


To update the hyperlink on your banner, please follow these instructions on Outlook. 

Go to: 

  1. File > Options > Mail > Signatures
  2. Hover over the graphic, select it and then click the hyperlink option (a globe icon near ‘Business Card’). You can then add the relevant URL in the address bar: physoc.org/physiology2023
  3. Click ‘OK’ and the changes will be saved. Please test the change by creating a new email and clicking on the banner.

Making the most of your membership

Drop by The Physiological Society’s stand in Hall D at any time to meet Society staff and find out how our training, grants and opportunities can help you advance your career. We can also help with any queries you have about your membership. Don’t forget to collect your free Society pin badge which can help you connect with your membership community.  

The Membership Team are available at the stand throughout the conference. We also have a programme of membership flash talks at the stand focused on specific areas of support: 

Membership Flash Talks – meet us at The Society’s stand in Hall D

Monday 10 July Tuesday 11 July    Wednesday 12 July
11:30 What grants does The Society offer?  

Explore the grants and support available to you via your membership. 

With Julia Attias, Membership Programmes Manager

 12:45 What are the opportunities to get more involved with The Society?  

Learn from members who have taken on volunteer roles with The Society and how these roles have supported their development and raised their profile.   

With Jen Happe, Membership Engagement Manager and Society member volunteers 

 12:00 How can you run Society events in your own institution?  

Running a member event or a conference in your own institution is a great way to raise your profile and support your field of science. Find out how we can help you do it with the Institutional Engagement Award and Society meetings programme. 

With Jen Happe, Membership Engagement Manager and Caitlin Oates, Events and Marketing Manager
12:45 How does your physiology change the world?  

We want to hear from you! Share how your research and teaching changes the world and increase your profile by being featured on The Society’s social media!  

With Jen Happe, Membership Engagement Manager and Emily Wylde, Communications Manager 

 16:00 How can I get published in The Society’s journals?  

Gain insight into journal publishing in Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. 

With Lucinda Periac-Arnold, Head of Publishing and Alex Stewart, Managing Editor 
16:00 How can the Training Hub support my career? 

Find out how the Training Hub can support your career development and tell us what you would like to see featured in the future.  

With Julia Attias, Membership Programmes Manager 
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