The Biology of Genomes 2026

Biology of Genomes

May 5 - 9, 2026

Abstract Deadline: February 13, 2026

Organizers:

Alexis Battle, Johns Hopkins University
Matthew Meyerson, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Aaron Quinlan, University of Utah
Jenny Tung, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University

The 39th annual meeting on Biology of Genomes will begin at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and run through lunch on Saturday, May 9.

The 2026 meeting will address DNA sequence variation and its role in molecular evolution, population genetics, complex diseases, comparative genomics, large-scale studies of gene and protein expression, and genomic approaches to ecological systems. Both technologies and applications will be emphasized. In addition, there will be a special session on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genome research.

Financial Support: The James P. Taylor Foundation for Open Science will award six scholarships covering full conference registration to outstanding graduate students. Online application will open on January 1st, 2024. The deadline for applications is February 5th, 2024. For details and application instructions, visit here.

Topics:

Population Genomics
Evolutionary & Non-human Genomics
Cancer Genomics
Computational & Statistical Genomics
Complex Traits & Genomic Medicine
Functional Genomics
Emerging Methods & Technologies

Keynote Speakers:

Jonathan Pritchard, Stanford University

Discussion Leaders:

Nilah Monnier Ioannidis, University of California, Berkeley
Michael Schatz, Johns Hopkins University
Winston Timp, Johns Hopkins University

All questions pertaining to registration, fees, housing, meals, transportation, visas, abstract submission, or any other matters may be directed to Kelley McGrath.

Abstracts: Abstracts should contain only new and unpublished material and must be submitted electronically by the abstract deadline. Selection of material for oral and poster presentations will be made by the organizers and individual session chairs. Status (talk/poster) of abstracts will be posted on our website as soon as decisions have been made by the organizers.

We are eager to have as many young people as possible attend since they are likely to benefit most from this meeting. We have applied for funds from government and industry to partially support graduate students and postdocs. Apply in writing to Kelley McGrath stating need for financial support - preference is given to those submitting abstracts. If you do not plan to submit an abstract, you may be eligible to attend virtually at a reduced fee. Eligible categories include:

1. Individuals from low & middle income countries;
2. Individuals from non-LMIC countries in Asia, Australasia, Africa or South America;
3. Individuals from US & Canadian minority serving institutions;
4. Individuals with a demonstrable financial barrier;
5. Individuals with family obligations or other special circumstances.

Social Media: The designated hashtag for this meeting is #BOG26. Note that you must obtain permission from an individual presenter before live-tweeting or discussing his/her talk, poster, or research results on social media. Click the Policies tab above to see our full Confidentiality & Reporting Policy.

Meeting Sponsored by:

In-Person Fees:
Academic/Media Private Room/Private Bath Package: $1945
Academic/Media Private Room/Shared Bath Package: $1820
Academic Shared Room Package: $1660
Academic/Media No-Housing Package: $1240
Student Package: $1545
Student No-Housing Package: $1125
Corporate Private Room/Private Bath Package: $2485
Corporate No-Housing Package: $1780

*Student Housing is default double occupancy. Please inquire about availability and fees to upgrade to a private room.

NOTE: We cannot guarantee housing will be on campus.
Room packages close 2 weeks before the meeting start date

Virtual Participation: Includes access to the oral sessions via Zoom, the digital poster gallery, the Slack discussion workspace, and the Leading Strand video archive. If you are submitting an abstract for an oral or poster presentation, please plan to attend the meeting in-person.

Virtual Fees:

Academic Virtual Package: $370

Grad Student Virtual Package: $230

Corporate Virtual Package: $550

Late Fee (Registrations submitted after 5:00 p.m. ET on April 30, 2026)

Late Academic Virtual Package: $470
Late Student Virtual Package: $330
Late Corporate Virtual Package: $650