Applied Bioinformatics and Public Health Microbiology

As infectious diseases continue to emerge, evolve, and cross borders, advances in public health genomics, pathogen surveillance, and emerging technologies are transforming how we detect, understand, and respond to global health threats. The Applied Bioinformatics and Public Health Microbiology conference is a multidisciplinary forum to demonstrate how advances in microbial and viral genomics, cutting edge technologies, bioinformatics and data science are impacting and benefiting global health. 

In its 11th edition, this conference will bring together leading scientists, public health professionals, laboratory experts, policymakers, industry representatives, and global health partners to explore how advances in microbiology and public health genomics can translate into timely, equitable and actionable interventions worldwide. 

The programme will cover the evolving landscape of pathogen surveillance, from community and environmental monitoring using metagenomics to the integration of nationwide insights from diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and industry. Discussions will explore how genomic technologies can strengthen early detection, support outbreak investigations, inform vaccine development, and guide evidence-based public health decision-making. In addition, we will discuss the emerging role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in pathogen detection, genomic data analysis, disease forecasting, and the development of innovative approaches to global health preparedness and response. 

By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration across science, public health, policy, and industry, this conference will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, addressing emerging challenges, and identifying collaborative solutions to improve disease surveillance, outbreak response, and pandemic preparedness towards an equitable global health ecosystem.

The conference will start at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday 16 June and close at approximately 13:00 on Friday18 June 2027. All times are in British Summer Time (BST). See the time where you are here.

Discussions will focus on a variety of exciting topics, including:

• Public health genomics
• Community and environmental pathogens surveillance (metagenomics)
• State of the union: nation-wide insights from laboratories and industry
• Genomics technologies for actionable interventions (outbreaks and vaccines)
• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system 
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning models for global health 
• Insights from the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) Global Partners Forum 

Scientific programme committee

Alan Christoffels
South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), South Africa

Jennifer Guthrie
Western University, Canada

Nabil-Fareed Alikhan
University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Timothy Dallman
World Health Organisation (WHO), Germany

Nicki Tiffin
South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), South Africa

Speakers

A list of confirmed speakers will be available soon.

Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Training and Events

Liã Bárbara Arruda
Education developer

Amanda Fletcher
Event organiser

Registration deadlines:  

Early-bird in-person registration deadline: 22 March 2027
Standard in-person registration deadline: 17 May 2027
Virtual registration deadline: 7 June 2027
All deadlines are at 23:59 (UK time).

In-person registration fees:

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.
• Recordings of the live-stream sessions, which will be available ‘on-demand’ for four weeks after the event ends.
• Lunch and refreshments during the conference.

*Please note that breakfast and dinner will be provided for delegates who have booked onsite accommodation. Delegates not staying in onsite accommodation may purchase dinner at a cost of £45 per meal.

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 11 and 12 November 2026.
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: 22 March 2027

Wellcome Sanger Institute 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: 19 April 2027

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.