AI x BIO

​​AIxBIO 2026  brings together researchers working at the interface of artificial intelligence and the life sciences to explore how computational approaches are advancing our understanding of biology and medicine.

The meeting will showcase recent developments in AI and machine learning applied to biological systems, with a focus on tackling foundational challenges across scales, from gene regulation and protein structure to cells, tissues and organs. Sessions will highlight both methodological advances and the biological and translational insights enabled by high-quality data and robust models.

The scientific programme will centre on five themes:

• Solving the gene regulatory code
• Solving proteins (data, structure and design)
• Solving chemistry and therapeutics
• Solving cells, tissues and organs
• AI methods development

We invite abstract submissions aligned with these themes, as well as work broadly related to AI in biology. Selected abstracts will be included in the main programme alongside invited talks from leading researchers. Additional contributions will be presented as lightning talks and posters.

The conference is aimed at researchers from academia and industry across computer science, biology and biomedical sciences. Through a mix of talks, posters and informal discussion, AIxBio will provide opportunities to exchange ideas, share approaches and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

The conference will run from Monday, 8 to Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

A draft programme will be available soon.

Scientific programme committee

Ben Lehner
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Mo Lotfollahi
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Debbie Marks
Harvard Medical School, USA

Noelia Ferruz
Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain

Jussi Taipale
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK | Karolinska Institute, Sweden

Jun Cheng
Google DeepMind, UK

Confirmed speakers to date

Jernej Ule 
Francis Crick Institute, UK

Phil Holliger 
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, UK

Gabriel Rocklin 
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA

Paola Picotti 
Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Switzerland

Fajie Yuan 
Westlake University, China

Shek Azizi 
Google DeepMind, UK

Registration deadline:  11 May 2026 (in person) | 1 June (virtual)

The in-person registration fee includes:

• Full access to scientific programme: oral and poster presentations, and networking on campus
• Access to the online conference portal to network with online participants
• Meals (lunch and dinner) and refreshments during the conference. Breakfast will be provided for delegates who have booked onsite accommodation.
• Recordings of the live-stream sessions, which will be available ‘on-demand’ for four weeks after the event ends

Virtual registration fee includes:

• Access to the virtual event portal (Log in details will be emailed a few days before the event starts)
• Live-stream sessions, including posters and online networking channels
• Recordings of the live-stream sessions, available ‘on-demand’ for four weeks after the event ends.

* To promote more inclusive scientific discussions with international colleagues at our conferences, virtual delegates based in Lower and Middle-Income Countries can register for free (see list of countries here).

If you are an editor or journalist, please contact the conference organiser for more information about the discounted fee or media pass.

Accommodation
Booked accommodation is for the nights of 8 and 9 June 2o26.
Please note: there is limited onsite accommodation and this will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, early registration is recommended.

If you wish to book campus accommodation either side of the conference dates, please contact the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre directly.

Accommodation services phishing scam – please be vigilant. More information.

Travel visas

Please check the UK government website for advice on whether you will need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation and how to obtain one: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor. 

Confirmed attendees requiring a letter to support a visa application should contact our events team.

Bursaries

Bursary deadline: 16 March 2026

Wellcome Connecting Science offers registration bursaries (usually up to 50% of the registration fee) to those who would benefit from attending the conference but face financial barriers to attending events.

Priority will be given to PhD students/trainees,  applicants from lower and middle income countries, or those from underrepresented/minoritised groups. Other early career researchers will be considered if funds allow.

To apply for funding support, please register and then select that you want to apply for a bursary. This will direct you to the online application form. Please explain why you need support and how you will benefit from attending the conference. Once you have submitted the application form, you will be emailed an abstract portal link. Please use this to submit your abstract before bursary deadline.

Applications without abstracts will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Additional funding opportunities

Visit our support page for information on financial support, including carer grants to help delegates with the costs of caring for children or dependent family members while attending a course or a conference.

Abstract deadline: 13 April 2026

We welcome abstracts from all areas relevant to the main themes of the meeting, for both oral and poster presentations. Several oral presentations will be chosen from the abstracts submitted. Presenters of oral presentations are expected to be onsite for the duration of the conference, whereas those presenting posters can do so in person or virtually.

To submit an abstract, you must first register for the conference. Once your registration is completed, you will be emailed a link to submit to the abstract submission portal. If you wish to edit your abstract following submission, please use the link in the abstract acknowledgement email.

All abstracts must be submitted and, if desired, edited by the deadline. The scientific programme committee will then assess your abstract and you will be notified about 2 weeks after the deadline whether you have been selected to present an oral or poster presentation. If you require acknowledgment that your abstract has been accepted earlier than this, please contact the event organiser.

Poster boards onsite will accommodate 118 cm high by 84 cm wide (A0-portrait) of printed material. Accepted abstracts will appear in the conference programme book; poster board numbers will be allocated at the conference.

All those accepted for a poster presentation will also have the opportunity present a ~1 min ‘poster pitch’ summarising their work.

If you are interested in supporting this meeting, please contact us.

For more information about the benefits of having a presence at this meeting, see our sponsorship page.