Scientific program:
Final program, click here ! (pdf document)
Information for presenters
Oral presentations
To maintain the schedule of the symposium, authors presenting papers are asked to time their talks according to the following guidelines. Each session (except time slot 3 – Monday 14h15/15h30 and time slot 11 – Wednesday 14h30/15h30) will start with a 25-minute presentation (20 minutes talk + 5 minutes discussion). All other papers are scheduled for 15 minutes (10 minutes talk + 5 minutes discussion).
Short talks
Short talks are scheduled on Tuesday from 16h30 to 17h30. These 6- minute presentations will enable you to highlight specific aspects of your work. No discussion time is scheduled for short talks during the session, but the details of your work will be presented and discussed with a poster immediately following the session. Details about poster presentations are given below.
Presentation format
The lecture rooms will contain a PC laptop connected to a data projector. Standard software is Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 running under Windows XP. All presentations must be loaded onto the conference computers; no personal laptops will be allowed. Presenters will be requested to bring their presentation file on either a USB Key or on CD-ROM. It is extremely important that you visit the speaker ready room to load and review your presentation 24 hours before your presentation (or immediately after your registration if your presentation is scheduled on Monday).
Poster presentations
Poster presentations will be placed on vertical boards with maximum display dimensions of 900mm X 1200mm (A0-portrait). Your Poster should contain the title of the presentation, the authors’ names and authors’ affiliations.
ESB2008 Pre-Course
The 2008 ESB Meeting will be preceded by a one day pre-course. This course is designed to introduce both young and established investigators to new investigational methods in biomechanical research and also to address the challenging topic of translation research in an increasingly dynamic and competitive research environment. The pre-course will take place at the conference venue and will offer an informal structure to encourage participation and discussion. Each topic will be introduced with an overview talk, followed by a discussion of the specific experiences of fellow researchers and practical applications. The program for the pre-course is as follows:
9:00 – 10:30 Integration of Statistical Modeling in Biomechanical Simulation
- Dr. Philippe Büchler, University of Bern
- Dr. Mauricio Reyes, University of Bern
- Dr. Fulvia Taddei, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli
Incorporation of the natural anatomical, structural and material variation into modern computer simulation methods will be covered in a series of lectures from several disciplines of biomechanical modeling. Topics will include principal component analysis for major modes of variation and stochastic simulations.
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Meshless and Particle Methods
- Dr. Simone Hieber, University of Basel
- Mr. Diego Rossinelli, ETH Zürich
New advances for meshless and particle methods will be presented for the simulation of complex biomechanical processes, including soft tissue modeling and fluid-solid interactions. Insight will be given into the implementation of particle methods in a parallel processing environment and on modern GPUs. Performance and validation issues will be discussed.
12:30 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 A Primer on Practical Molecular Biology Methods
- Dr. Gertrud Heimbeck, BioRad Life Sciences Group
- Dr. Martin Stoddart, AO Research Institute
- Dr. Niamh Nowlan, Trinity College Dublin
The theory, methods and applications of molecular biology and proteomics for biomechanical and biomedical research will be presented. An introductory lecture will be offered on the basics of current methods such as real-time PCR and micro-array technology. The application of these analytical methods, in the context of orthopaedic biomechanical research, will be presented and some common pitfalls and misconceptions will be discussed. In situ hybridization will be presented with reference to corresponding mechanobiological simulations.
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 – 17:30 Translational Research and the MedTech Industry
Switzerland is a recognized leader in the MedTech industry. In a round-table discussion, the strategies and potential for industry-partnered research and/or commercialization of basic research results will be addressed with representatives from start-up, mid-sized and enterprise companies and federal industry-partnered research networks and funding agencies.
The pre-course will take place on July 6th, 2008 from 9:00 am – 17:30 pm, followed by the Welcome Reception for the main ESB Meeting. Registration for the pre-course is available via the online conference registration page. For conference participants who have already registered for the meeting but would also like to attend the pre-course, please send an e-mail to info@esb2008.org.
Congress Social Events
Welcome Reception
The 16th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics will open on July 6th, 2008. It is our pleasure to invite all participants to an evening Welcome Reception on the lakefront terrace of the world-renowned Culture and Congress Center Lucerne (KKL).
Wine & Cheese Poster Sessions
A key element of a successful meeting is a lively exchange during poster sessions. For ESB 2008 we have scheduled two early evening poster sessions, separate from the parallel podium sessions. Participants are encouraged to meet over a drink and light foods to discuss their latest results one-on-one in a casual, friendly environment. Hot topics can be pursued further over dinner in the nearby restaurants and bars of the Lucerne old town.
Conference Banquet
We will close the meeting with a gala banquet in the Lucerne Grand Casino on the waterfront across from the KKL. The evening will begin with an aperitif served outdoors in the Lake Lounge, with a view across the lake to the Pilatus mountain, followed by a dinner prepared by the chefs of the Olivio restaurant (14 Gault Millau points). Relax after dinner in the Apéro bar, or those who feel lucky may exercise the option to increase their individual research budgets in the adjoining Casino...
Suggestions for Activities in and around Lucerne
Lucerne is centrally located in Switzerland and offers many opportunities for day trips during or after the ESB meeting. A few possibilities are outlined below. Details for any of these activities can be found through the Lucerne tourism or Switzerland turism websites.
Guided City Walks for Individuals.
Lucerne is truly a city for pedestrians and what better way to find out than by joining a guided walking tour. Already in the Middle Ages, Lucerne was a city of bridges. In 1400, Lucerne was the only city in Europe to boast four bridges. The Hof Bridge, constructed ca. 1250 (demolished 1834), and the Chapel Bridge, built ca. 1300, formed part of the city fortifications. The Mill Bridge («Spreuerbrücke») served to connect the lower parts of the city. The Reuss Bridge was the oldest river crossing and contributed considerably to the city's development. It was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that five more bridges were added. However, Lucerne is also a city of palaces, churches and squares. You will learn many interesting facts about Lucerne's history, churches, bridges, lanes, squares, towers and of course about Lucerne's trademark, the Chapel Bridge.
Lucerne in the Middle Ages for Kids
Why is the Spreuerbrücke called the Spreuerbrücke? Were there really dragons on the Pilatus? What actually happened on the Murder Night? Children have lots of questions and they want to have them answered in an understandable and fascinating manner. For these reasons a figure from the Middle Ages leads school classes, children's groups or families through Lucerne's past and makes the legends and stories of the Middle Ages come alive.
Schaukäserei Engelberg
Switzerland is known for its many cheese varieties. Visit Switzerland's only show cheese factory, located within a monastery. You'll find the largest selection of regional cheeses and milk products, as well as souvenirs, in our shop. Learn about the methods of cheese production, and combine your visit with a tour of the Engelberg monastery or a hike in the surrounding mountains.
Swiss Museum of Transport
The Swiss Museum of Transport and Communication is located in the heart of Switzerland, in Lucerne, on the shores of the lake. The Swiss Museum of Transport is the most diverse museum for transportation and communication in Europe. More than 3,000 items are exhibited in a space of 40,000 square meters. The planetarium, which is based on digital technology, takes visitors on a trip through the vastness of the universe. In the "Gotthard Tunnel", you can travel into the mountain and experience the building of the tunnel during 1875. The Imax Film Theater guarantees to bring about strong emotions and offer an incomparable film experience. It is the only one of its kind in Switzerland. With almost 200 square meters, the "Swissarena" displays the largest orthophotograph of Switzerland from the air.
Boat Rides on Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne (434 m above sea level) is fascinating due to its picturesque landscape and historical sites. 20 boats - 5 of which are nostalgic paddle-steamers - enable you to take round trips and offer endless possibilities for excursions which can also be combined with mountain railways along the lake.
"Weg der Schweiz" - The Swiss Path
For the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, a 35 km long trail was established along the southern portion of Lake Lucerne. Divided acccording to Kantons, each Swiss resident is represented by a symbolic 5 mm of the trail. The Swiss Path is easily reached by ship and several suggestions are available for walking tours.
Hiking Tips - 52 Hiking Suggestions for Central Switzerland
The natural beauty of Central Switzerland is best appreciated from the perspective of a leisurely (or demanding) hiking tour. The tourism office offers a brochure outlining suggestions for hiking tours in the region. Other noteworthy sights in the Central Switzerland region include the local mountains Rigi, Pilatus, Stanserhorn and Buergenstock, all easily accessible from Lucerne and with a variety of walking tours for everyone from beginner to seasoned alpine hiker.
Contact:
Luzern Tourismus AG
Tourist Board
Zentralstrasse 5
CH-6002 Luzern
Phone +41 (0)41 227 17 17
Fax +41 (0)41 227 17 18
luzern@luzern.org