Understanding Life: Using Largescale Biodiversity Reference Genomes

The Earth BioGenome Project proposal to sequence all eukaryotic life on Earth had led to a large increase in the number and diversity of eukaryotic genomes published. These genomes are now the subjects of large-scale analyses exploring the genome biology of a wide array of species and systems to further our understanding of life on Earth.

This conference will bring together researchers using these new genome resources to share discoveries, explore best practice in analysis and plan future synergies and collaborations in biodiversity genomics. The focus will be on deploying cutting-edge analytic toolkits suitable for the new data and on analysis at scale. We will showcase how these new genomes enhance our understanding of ecology and evolution, and how they drive advances in biotechnology.

The majority of the programme will consist of selected talks submitted from abstracts. Posters sessions will provide opportunities to present research findings or get feedback on ongoing research. We also feature workshops that allow for more in depth discussion of current topics like advances in genomic technologies, curation of assemblies, data sharing, the use of AI in biodiversity genomics and others.

This conference will be a hybrid meeting – with onsite or virtual attendance.

The conference will start at approximately 12.00 on Monday 27 October and close at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday 29 October 2025.  All times are in GMT. See the time where you are here.

Session will include:

• Genome evolution
• Symbiosis genomics
• Genomics of speciation
• Ecological genomics

There will also be several workshops bringing together working groups and consortia associated with biodiversity reference genomes.

These will include:

• AI and annotation
• Sequencing the holobiont – how to disentangle species?
• Curation of assemblies
• Advances in genomic technologies
• Bat1K showcase
• Aquatic symbiosis genomics
• Working with industry and agritech

Scientific programme committee

Mark Blaxter
Welcome Sanger Institute, UK

Molly Carter
Welcome Sanger Institute, UK

Kerstin Howe
Welcome Sanger Institute, UK

Peter Mulhair
University of Liverpool, UK

Rebecca O’Brien
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Keynote speakers

Ute Hentschel Humeida – GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research,  Germany
Arnau Sebé-Pedrós – Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain

Confirmed speakers

Aoife McLysaght
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Claire Mérot –  University of Rennes, France
Mike Sweet – University of Derby, UK
Niklas Wahlberg – Lund University, Sweden

Organisers

Michelle Bishop
Wellcome Connecting Science, UK

Jemma Hume
Wellcome Connecting Science, UK

Registration deadline: 29 September (in person) | 20 October (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 27 and 29 October 2024.
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: 14 July 2025

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: 14 July 2025

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.