Perspectives on molecular functionality – Kick-off event for project FunMo

The workshop “Perspectives on molecular functionality” will discuss functions in the molecular context and how this can change our metaphysical, scientific and medical understanding of the role that molecules can play in living systems and beyond. This workshop will kick-off Francesca Bellazzi's Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship project “FunMo- functions at the molecular scale”, which is hosted at Durham University between May 2025 and April 2028. The workshop offers a series of talks that can initiate a broader framework and discussion on molecular functionality. It is organised in collaboration with the CHESS research centre at Durham University and has speakers coming from different UK and European Institutions.  

Some of the key research questions for this workshop are:  

What are molecular functions? 

What is the role of functions and structure in the characterisation of chemical entities?  

Can chemical entities be understood functionally? 

What can new biotechnologies tell us about functions?  

What is the role of AI tools in understanding and predicting molecular functionality?  

What is the impact that molecular functions can have in philosophy of medicine?