These monthly meetings are open to all with an interest in applied bioinformatics research. Meetings will include a <25 minute presentation (work in progress, journal club etc.) with lots of time for discussion and constructive critique.

Dr Pasky Miranda (Digital Skills Specialist) will introduce the UKRI Digital Skills Catalyst - the aims of the project, how we can benefit as existing data researchers and how we can expand and build data acumen in our community.

19 August 2026, 1300-1400 | Williamson Rooms (B/H/102), The University of York

Prof Seth Davis (Chair in Plant Biology) has a talk which should intrigue everyone! His talk, Bioinformatics for the coding illiterate using vibe coding, will introduce his exploration of LLM-assisted research, and the great results it has given so far.

16 September 2026, 1300-1400 | Williamson Rooms (B/H/102), The University of York

A slightly different one from an external speaker. Prof Mark Blaxter (Programme Lead for the Sanger Tree of Life Project) will deliver Busy about the genomic tree of life by zoom. We are inviting our Genomics3 and PGT Bioinformatics students so we can hear about this flagship project and then have a Q&A with Mark about his career, novelty in research, and seeking out the unknown unknowns.

21 October 2026, 1300-1400 | B/K/018, The University of York

NorthernBUG brings together researchers, students and trainers 2-3 times per year across the north of England for free 1-day meetings. These are great sessions to present developing work and are all about building a regional bioinformatics network. The focus is being a "user group" rather than only presenting polished work for a conference.

Follow NorthernBUG on LinkedIn or join the google mailing list.

Registration open now! Abstract and registration deadline: 11th September 2026, 23:59.
This meeting is sponsored by The Genetics Society.

18 September 2026 | The University of Liverpool

Open Research at York
Open Access publishing at York
Research Data York repository - free archive service for all York research data.
Research Data Management - a practical guide for York
Join York's Research Data Stewardship Network - useful community if you're a data person!
Book an RDM appointment with the library team
York Research IT Training and Support
York Research Coding Club
Information on Viking and the Viking user wiki
York Data Management Plan Review Service


Save the date! The Research Data Stewardship Network is hosting an inaugural in-person event on 10th September 1100-1300 in CL/A/023X. Join the Stewardship Network for more details.

The UKRI Digital Research Skills Catalyst brings together in-person, online and independent training materials, resources and meetings.

New materials all the time, and highlighting events in York, online and across the UK.

This free training conference is organised by the UKRI Digital Research Skills Catalyst, with funding support from AIBIO-UK. The programme brings together a mix of expert talks and hands-on workshops designed to introduce AI methods in bioscience research.
While this conference primarily is targeted at PhD and postgraduate researchers in the biological, medical, and environmental sciences, we welcome professionals at all career stages. Poster submissions welcomed!

4 September 2026 | Guildhall, York

Virtual registration still open until 8th September!
This meeting will bring together international scientists and clinicians working across psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurodevelopmental disorders to explore how genetic variation shapes brain function and disease across the lifespan. By integrating perspectives from diverse disease areas, the conference aims to identify shared principles and emerging insights across brain disorders.

16-18 September 2026 | Online only registration now

In person (1st September) and virtual (14th September) registration still open!
This conference will bring together leading researchers and thought experts from academia, biotech, and pharma. The meeting will focus on the critical elements that power therapeutic hypothesis building, including large-scale genomics data generation and target selection strategies across modalities and therapeutic areas—with AI and emerging technologies taking centre stage. The meeting will explore how these innovations are reshaping the path from discovery to the clinic in both common and rare diseases.

21-23 September 2026 | Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton

Registration still open, including abstract submission (7th September).
The programme will span epigenetic regulation across development and aging, with a focus on mechanisms underlying common diseases, including cancer and those associated with aging, as well as cellular plasticity. Discussions will explore how genetic and environmental influences shape epigenetic variation, alongside emerging epigenomic technologies that are opening new avenues for discovery and translation.

4-6 November 2026 | Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton

Registration still open, including abstract submission (14th September).
Building on the success of previous conferences, our 6th meeting will showcase cutting-edge applications of bioinformatics, including machine learning and AI to address key questions in viral genomics and evolution.
The programme will cover vaccines and antiviral treatments, alongside zoonotic transmission and animal viruses, epidemics and outbreaks, and advances in viral metagenomics and microbiome research. A central focus will be on how viruses adapt and evolve within and between hosts, complemented by discussions on AI-driven approaches, and the role of viral genomics in public health.

11-13 November 2026 | Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton

The ELIXIR-UK All Hands is the UK Node’s flagship community event, held annually to bring together members, collaborators, and partners from across the UK’s life sciences research infrastructure. It is open to all members and collaborators of the ELIXIR-UK Node, spanning research data management, training, human data, bioinformatics tools, digital research infrastructures and much more.
This meeting is free to anyone from an ELIXIR-UK member (including York), and travel bursaries are available.

25-26 November 2026 | Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX

Genome Informatics 2026 will once again be hosted on the Wellcome Genome Campus. This will be the 26th meeting in the series that alternates with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
This year’s conference will focus on algorithmic and informatics approaches to understanding genome structure and biology, and their application to human health and disease. It will showcase a range of methods for large genomic dataset analysis, including genome assembly, sequence algorithms, variant discovery, and functional genomics. Key themes will include pangenomes, evolutionary biology, single-cell and spatial omics, microbial methodologies, and genomic insights into cancer and other complex diseases.
This conference is delivered in person and online. Early bird registration deadline 7th September, abstract by 5th October, virtual registration by 23rd November.

2-4 December 2026 | Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton

Abstract deadline 15th September. In person registration 27th October. Virtual 1st December.
Over the past two decades, data-driven research has revealed important features of the human gut microbiome, such as its resilience, diversity, and highly personalised composition. However, our current view of its functional capabilities and interaction with the host is still largely descriptive. As the field now strives for causal and mechanistic insights to achieve a deeper understanding of the links between the microbiome and human health, progress is being hindered by a lack of model gut microorganisms and foundational functional knowledge.

8-10 December 2026 | EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany

This is a free (to academics, research staff and students) massive conference and life sciences event showcasing the research and infrastructure activities around biological data in the UK. This includes massive projects run by the UK Biobank and Genomics England, a large industry trade show and is run in an incredibly parallel fashion in a single hall with silen disco style headphones!
Tickets available from 22nd September, but poster abstract submission and suggested talk topics now open.

27-28 January 2027 | ExCeL, London