Preamble

Reimagining Biology in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Era builds upon the remarkable success of earlier initiatives centered on accelerating biology, marking a significant transition from rapid advancement to intelligent transformation in the life sciences. While previous efforts emphasized speed, scale, and efficiency in research and innovation, the current era is defined by the integration of AI, which is reshaping how biological discoveries are made and applied. Biology is no longer confined to traditional observation and experimentation; it is now driven by data, algorithms, and predictive models that enable deeper understanding of complex systems. From genomics to proteomics, AI is unlocking unprecedented insights, accelerating breakthroughs in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, and paving the way for personalized and precision medicine. The fusion of biological sciences with computational technologies is transforming laboratories into smart, interconnected ecosystems, where collaboration across disciplines becomes essential. Researchers, technologists, and innovators must work together to harness the full potential of this synergy, while ensuring that ethical considerations, transparency, and responsible use of AI remain at the forefront. As education and skill development evolve to meet the demands of this rapidly changing landscape, this initiative continues the legacy of accelerating biology while embracing the opportunities of intelligent innovation. It serves as a platform for dialogue, exploration, and collaboration, bringing together thought leaders to redefine the future of life sciences. By bridging past achievements with emerging technologies, National Supercomputing Mission (NSM 2.0) shared vision to reimagine biology in the AI era and create a smarter, healthier, and more sustainable world.

Thematic areas:

• Futuristic Computing: Quantum Computing, DNA Storage, Embedded Genomics
• Multi-omics: Genomics, Transcriptomics, Methylomics, Multiomics, Integration-Challenges and Approaches
• AI-based Drug Discovery: Deep Learning and Generative Models in Drug Discovery
• Industry Session: Startups & Pharma
• Tutorial on ICECloud: Genomic Workflows, Adaptive Sampling, AlphaFold, HADDOCK3

 

Speakers:

 

Technical Programme

To be announced soon

Know Us

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is the premier R&D organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas. As a scientific society, C-DAC has been continuously engaged for over three and a half decades, towards the design, development and deployment of electronics and advanced Information Technology (IT) products and solutions for the benefit of the society. C-DAC's thrust in meeting the national agenda has manifest itself in the execution of several key projects, leading to the creation of a strong brand equity for its inherent expertise and capabilities, in the global context. Presently, this expertise extends to the field of High Performance Computing (HPC) fueling various scientific, engineering and business applications. Fostering an environment of innovation and dealing with cutting edge technologies. C-DAC is actively engaged in indigenous R&D of HPC components (processor, server board, interconnect, cluster and cooling systems), HPC system software, HPC applications, solutions and services, grid computing, cloud computing, big data analytics and Quantum computing. Under the National Supercomputing Mission, C-DAC's PARAM series of supercomputers with a cumulative computing power of 24 PF have already been deployed at various premier academic institutions across the nation. In-house developed hardware components in the form of Reconfigurable Computing System (RCS) cards specific for particular scientific applications have accelerated them many folds. Over the years the Bioinformatics Group of C-DAC has developed into an active centre of bioinformatics research, applying HPC to accelerate biological research towards the betterment of human life.

Bioinformatics@C-DAC

The Bioinformatics team at C-DAC functions as a premier national enabler for advanced computational life sciences research. By leveraging HPC and AI, the group operates the Bioinformatics Resources and Applications Facility (BRAF) to provide scientists and academic institutions with dedicated supercomputing infrastructure and cloud capabilities. Central to this ecosystem is the indigenous Integrated Computing Environment Cloud (ICECloud), which provides reproducible, open-access cloud services for petascale and exascale genomics research.

C-DAC's multidisciplinary focus bridges four core pillars:

• High-End Computational Infrastructure using national resources: BRAF and ICECloud
• Software Development for Big Data, AI and cloud automation
• Computational Genomics: Mycobacterium genomics, human population studies, metagenomics and cancer omics
• Molecular Modelling: Membrane proteins, cancer proteins, protein misfolding and antisense technology for drug and vaccine discovery
• AI/ML applications in genomics and drug discovery

Registration Fees*:

Category	Early Bird Fees	Fees
Student	₹ 2500 /-	₹ 3500 /-
Academic / Govt.	₹ 3500 /-	₹ 4500 /-
Industry	₹ 5500 /-	₹ 6500 /-

*Registration fees inclusive of GST

 

Important Dates

Events	Dates
Registration Starts	11th May 2026
Early Bird Registration Ends	10th July 2026
Registration Ends	7th August 2026
Abstract and Poster Deadline	7th August 2026

 

Registration Fees includes

• Symposium registration
• Delegate Kit
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (except day 3 dinner)

There are limited seats, registration will be on a first come first serve basis.

Registrations would be closed as soon as the seats get full.

 

Special Discount

BRAF Users Special Discount: A special discount will be offered for existing BRAF users (on or before 31^st March 2026).

Abstract submission is mandatory to avail BRAF user discount.

Download and send the duly filled scanned form along with IMPS/NEFT/UPI transaction receipt, institute's authorization letter or ID card photocopy duly signed and stamped by the HOD to ab2026@cdac.in. In subject line kindly mention "AB2026: BRAF Users Form - {BRAF account login name}"

Example: Subject: AB2026: BRAF User Form – vivekg

GROUP_BRAF_REGISTRATION_FORM (to be made available soon)

Group Registration Discount: To avail group (5+ participants) registration discount kindly email ab2026@cdac.in for further details. Please note, only one discount can be availed at a time. Alternatively, the applicant can also send the form along with all attachments through Post to following address:

Alternatively, the applicant can also send the form along with all attachments through Post to following address:

Dr. Uddhavesh Sonavane (Convenor, Accelerating Biology 2026),
Scientist G and Programme Director,
HPC- Medical and Bioinformatics Applications Group,Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC),
Innovation Park,Panchavati, Pashan, Pune - 411 008, India.
Tel: 020-25503272 (10:00 am to 5:00PM)
Email: ab2026@cdac.in

 

Symposium Venue & Date

Pune International Center, Panchawati, Pune, Maharashtra 411008 (September 7-9, 2026)

 

Poster and Oral Presentations

All registered participants are encouraged to make a poster presentation of their recent research activities and submit an abstract, not exceeding 250 words. The confirmation of poster selection will be notified by ab2026@cdac.in.

Poster size should be 3ft (width) X 4ft (height). Material to be required for mounting the poster will be provided by organizers.

The posters would be evaluated during the event by the judges and the best few posters would be selected for "Poster Oral Presentations".

 

Abstract Guidelines

Title should summarize the abstract and convince that the topic is important. Provide the names and department affiliation of all authors who contributed to the work being presented as a poster. Name of presenting author should be underlined and certificate will be given only to presenting author. Italicize your faculty mentor’s name and provide the department affiliation. The word limit is 250 words.Use font Calibri, font size 12 and line spacing 1.2. The document should be submitted as a MS Word document (doc). A pdf is not acceptable.Email your abstract to ab2026@cdac.in.

 

Accommodation

For accommodation, the participant can approach the below mentioned hotels directly for bookings and payments on their own.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON