The 38th Gibbs Conference on Biothermodynamics

The Gibbs Society of Biological Thermodynamics is committed to advancing the development and application of thermodynamic principles to understand biological systems, fostering the professional growth of early-career trainees, promoting an equitable, accessible, and inclusive biothermodynamics community, and hosting an annual conference that includes significant opportunities for trainee oral presentations.

The Annual Gibbs Conference on Biological Thermodynamics started around 1986 and ever since then it has taken place annually at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Participants of this conference share one thing in common: a passion for understanding the thermodynamic forces that govern macromolecular interactions. And so it is that every year, scientists from various institutions gather at nature-filled campgrounds near Little Grassy Lake to discuss the folding of macromolecules, linkage theory, conformational changes, ligand binding and many other topics united by the common interest of understanding these processes to a fundamental level, applying physico-chemical principles to biological systems.

Two other things that define this conference are its emphasis on training and its relaxed atmosphere. The program includes a mixture of talks given by students, postdocs, research associates and PIs.

Historically, the setup of the conference promotes inter-generational scientific exchange, where PIs, students, postdocs, research associates and industry participants share meals, canoeing rides and conversations along the traditional bonfires at the Little Grassy Lake beach on Sunday and Monday nights. When we gather at Touch of Nature Conference Center, you will find scientists of all career levels discussing thermodynamic ideas all day long and late into the night!

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