🗓 IBC 2026: International Biology Conference – Detailed Daily Program

Dates: July 13 – 17, 2026 (Monday to Friday)
Location: Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC), Athens, Greece
Format: In-person

Session Topics

🔬 Session Topics at IBC 2026
IBC 2026 embraces the full breadth of biological science, offering an ambitious and interdisciplinary program that reflects both the foundational questions and emerging innovations shaping the life sciences. Each thematic session is designed to foster cross-disciplinary insight, collaborative dialogue, and a forward-looking exploration of biology in the 21st century.

🧬 Molecular Biology, Genetics & Genomics
This session investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern life, from gene expression and regulatory networks to the frontiers of genome editing. Topics include CRISPR and gene drives, functional genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, and the molecular basis of disease. Emphasis is placed on how these molecular insights inform personalized medicine, biotechnology, and synthetic biology.

🌱 Ecology, Evolution & Biodiversity
Exploring life across time and ecosystems, this session focuses on evolutionary dynamics, population biology, conservation strategies, and ecological modeling. Topics range from speciation and phylogenetics to climate change impacts and biogeography. The session encourages dialogue between fieldwork, theory, and predictive tools that guide global conservation efforts.

🧫 Microbiology, Virology & Host-Pathogen Interactions
At the front lines of health and environment, this session delves into microbial life and its complex interactions with hosts. Topics include microbial ecology, virome diversity, antibiotic resistance, immunological responses, and pandemic preparedness. Special attention is given to systems-level understanding of infection and emerging zoonotic threats.

🧠 Neuroscience, Behavior & Systems Biology
From synaptic circuits to computational models of cognition, this session explores how biological systems process information, adapt, and evolve. Topics span neurogenomics, brain-machine interfaces, animal behavior, and homeostatic regulation. Systems biology approaches are highlighted for their power in deciphering the integrative nature of biological networks.

🔬 Cell Biology & Biochemistry
This session illuminates the inner workings of cells and their biochemical machinery. Areas include organelle dynamics, intracellular signaling, membrane biology, protein folding, and enzymology. Cutting-edge imaging and analytical techniques are spotlighted alongside advances in metabolic regulation and structural biology.

🌎 Environmental Biology & Global Change
Addressing biology’s role in a planet under pressure, this session examines ecosystems, resilience, and sustainability through a biological lens. Topics include environmental DNA (eDNA), habitat fragmentation, carbon cycling, and synthetic ecosystems. Interdisciplinary contributions from climate science, marine biology, and restoration ecology are featured.

💻 Bioinformatics, AI & Computational Biology
Where data meets discovery, this session focuses on the computational revolution in life sciences. Topics include sequence analysis, structural modeling, machine learning in biology, big data integration, and network biology. The session encourages collaboration between experimentalists and computational scientists to decode complex biological systems.

⚕️ Translational Biology, Medicine & Biotechnology
Bridging lab and clinic, this session highlights how biological research informs therapeutics, diagnostics, and industrial applications. Topics cover drug discovery, regenerative medicine, biomaterials, vaccine development, and biosensors. Special emphasis is placed on biotechnology’s role in solving real-world health and sustainability challenges.

📚 Education, Ethics & Open Science in Biology
Beyond the lab, this session engages with the cultural and ethical dimensions of biological research. Topics include science education, data equity, citizen science, reproducibility, and bioethics. It also addresses how to prepare the next generation of biologists for responsible innovation in a rapidly evolving field.

🔷 Scientific Program

A Comprehensive and Interdisciplinary Journey Through the Life Sciences
The scientific program of IBC 2026 reflects the dynamic scope and transformative potential of modern biology. Spanning five immersive days, the conference offers a carefully designed balance of high-level scientific exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exploration of emerging frontiers. Each session is thoughtfully curated to encourage dialogue across biological disciplines while celebrating the rigor and wonder of the life sciences.

🧬 Core Program Structure

Morning Plenary Sessions
Each morning begins with keynote lectures delivered by leading voices in global biology. These talks will explore foundational questions, technological breakthroughs, and pressing global challenges—setting the stage for deeper thematic discussions throughout the day.

Parallel Thematic Sessions
Mid-morning and afternoon sessions will host concurrent deep-dives across key biological domains, including molecular biology, ecology, neuroscience, and computational biology. Presentations are selected for their innovation, scientific merit, and relevance to both theoretical and applied research.

Interactive Workshops & Expert Panels
Late-afternoon workshops and panels offer engaging, hands-on exploration of emerging tools, ethical considerations, and interdisciplinary approaches. Topics may include genome engineering practices, AI-powered biological discovery, ecological modeling, and translating lab discoveries into clinical or environmental applications.

Poster Sessions & Early-Career Spotlights
Dedicated space will showcase the work of early-career scientists through poster exhibitions and selected short talks. These sessions are designed to highlight fresh perspectives, foster mentorship, and ensure that emerging researchers are central to the conversation.

📚 Special Program Features

Biology at the Interface
Special sessions will explore biology’s intersections with technology, data science, environmental policy, and medicine. These cross-cutting dialogues emphasize biology’s role in solving real-world challenges—from climate resilience and food security to AI integration in biomedical research.

History, Ethics & Philosophy of Biology
IBC 2026 will also reflect on the conceptual and ethical evolution of the field. Sessions will address the philosophy of life sciences, the history of biological discovery, data ethics, and the implications of manipulating life at the molecular level.

Grand Challenges & Open Questions Forum
In this dynamic and forward-looking session, participants will tackle some of biology’s biggest unresolved questions. With live discussion and collective brainstorming, the forum will invite researchers to identify roadblocks, share hypotheses, and shape the research agenda for the next decade.

🧭 A Program with Purpose

IBC 2026 is more than a meeting of minds—it's a catalyst for collaboration, inspiration, and long-term impact. Whether you're advancing cutting-edge molecular tools, investigating ecosystems, or bridging biology with technology, this program invites you to think boldly, connect deeply, and help shape the future of biological science.

🕰️ Daily Program Structure

IBC 2026: A Thoughtfully Curated Schedule for Discovery, Dialogue, and Connection

Each day at IBC 2026 is designed to balance rigorous scientific engagement with opportunities for informal exchange, reflection, and exploration. The schedule maximizes the academic impact of sessions while allowing participants to enjoy the host city and build meaningful collaborations across biology disciplines.

🔹 08:00 – 09:00 | Registration & Morning Coffee
Welcome reception with fresh coffee and light breakfast in the main lobby. An ideal time to settle in, explore the poster area, and reconnect with colleagues before sessions begin.

🔹 09:00 – 10:00 | Plenary Lecture
Daily plenary lecture in the main auditorium — a unifying session that brings together all attendees around a major biological theme or emerging challenge in life sciences.

🔹 10:15 – 12:00 | Parallel Thematic Sessions (Block 1)
Focused sessions running in parallel across multiple rooms. Talks are 20–25 minutes each with Q&A, covering core biological disciplines such as molecular biology, ecology, genomics, and more. Topics rotate daily and include cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary approaches, and applied biology.

🔹 12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch Break & Informal Networking
Buffet-style lunch served indoors and outdoors with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. A perfect chance to network, discuss morning sessions, or meet new collaborators.

🔹 13:30 – 15:00 | Parallel Thematic Sessions (Block 2)
Afternoon sessions feature new speakers and themes, including contributed talks from early-career researchers, workshops on new technologies, and panels on current hot topics (e.g., “CRISPR and Gene Editing” or “Microbiome and Human Health”).

🔹 15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee & Poster Viewing Break
Coffee, herbal teas, and snacks served in the exhibition hall. Dedicated time to engage with poster presenters—especially graduate students and postdocs—with facilitators to encourage discussion.

🔹 15:30 – 17:00 | Special Sessions & Workshops
Interactive and dynamic formats:

• Hands-on workshops (e.g., bioinformatics tools, imaging techniques)

• Panel discussions on methodology or pressing biological questions

• Lightning talks (7–10 min) selected from submitted abstracts

• Cross-disciplinary roundtables linking biology to fields like AI, climate science, or medicine

🔹 17:15 – 18:00 | Open Problems Forum / Public Lecture (Alternate Days)
Alternating days feature either a forum discussing key open research questions or a public lecture aimed at engaging the broader community and fostering public understanding of biological science.

🌇 Evening Social & Cultural Activities

• Monday: Welcome Reception

• Tuesday: Guided Botanical Garden Tour

• Wednesday: Networking Cocktail on a City Terrace

• Thursday: Conference Gala Dinner at a Historic Venue

• Friday: Informal Farewell Gathering

These events promote relaxation, cultural immersion, and building a collaborative community.

🎓 Additional Daily Features

• Speaker Preparation Rooms

• Quiet Zones for focused work and reflection

• Book Fair & Publisher Exhibition focused on biology and life sciences

• Meeting Corners for one-on-one discussions with journal editors, grant agencies, and research funders

• Live Translation & Accessibility Services available in main halls