The Physiological Society

Overview

PIEZOs and the Physiology of Mechanobiology

PIEZO channels have attracted major attention in recent years as universal eukaryotic mechanical force sensors underpinning a wide range of physiological systems. Since their identification in 2010, research into PIEZO channels has expanded at an extraordinary pace, with exciting progress on the understanding of their structures, properties, regulatory mechanisms, physiological functions, disease relevance, and the potential for modulation. The global significance was further highlighted by the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2021 to Ardem Patapoutian (Scripps Research, California, US), a Plenary Speaker at SynSci2026, for his pioneering research on PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 channels. This stream at SynSci2026 provides a platform for the timely and dynamic exploration of the latest developments in PIEZO channels and related mechanosensory systems, which are increasingly recognised as central to nearly all aspects of physiology and mechanobiology.

The international invited speakers will headline an engaging programme complemented by short talks from submitted abstracts, flash talks and a vibrant poster session, fostering lively discussion, networking and collaboration across this rapidly evolving field. There will also be prizes for Early Career Researchers for the best short talk, flash talk and poster presentation.

Invited Speakers

Dr Sara Baratchi, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia
Talk title: Decoding the Mechano-Immunological Code Governing
Cardiovascular Inflammation
Professor Annette Hammes, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Germany
Talk title: PIEZO2 in development
Professor Osama Harraz, University of Vermont, USA
Talk title: Brain blood flow control
Professor Stefan Lechner, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
Talk title: Mechanotransduction at the nanoscale: Insights from 3D-MINFLUX
nanoscopy
Professor Irena Levitan, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Talk title: Force-channel-lipid integration
Dr Medha Pathak, University of California, USA
Talk title: Visualising force sensing in situ
Professor Julien Vermot, Imperial College London, UK
Talk title: Cell hydraulics in morphogenesis
Professor Bailong Xiao, Tsinghua University, China
Talk title: Structural choreography of PIEZOs

Abstract Submission

For more information and to submit an abstract for The Physiological Society sessions, click on the link below.
Submit your abstract

Programme

Sessions take place on Tuesday and Wednesday during the conference. Click the links below to view the programme of The Physiological Society, as well as the full conference programme.
The Physiological Society's programme Full Conference programme