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.

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

If you want to do some bioinformatics, but don't know where to begin - this is the place!

Alastair Droop's team within the TF supports research and training on a chargeable basis, ranging from routine data management to bespoke high-level analysis and paper-ready figures. Get in touch to discuss your project and requirements today.

The Data Science Lab also runs training courses. Upcoming courses are listed below, or contact the team to book 1:1 support or register your interest in future courses.

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.


The next meeting is taking place in Liverpool this Friday (registration closed), but pencil in Wednesday 14th April for NorthernBUG18 in Leeds.

Open Research at York
Open Access publishing at York
Research Data York repository - free archive service for all York research data.
UoY - six new digital skills pathways for staff.
UoY - digital skills workshops for students.
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

(free) Registration still open, including abstract submission (18th September).
Hosted by Genomics England, this year's Clinical Cancer Genomics Conference is the second in an annual series that brings together clinicians, researchers, scientists and healthcare professionals from across Europe. Building on the success of last year's inaugural meeting in Amsterdam, this conference will highlight the latest advances in clinical cancer genomics, foster collaboration, and explore how genomics is transforming cancer diagnosis, treatment and patient care.

3 November 2026 | 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London

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