Fluorescent Proteins and Biological Sensors VIII

Now in its eighth installment, this conference will highlight the latest advances in protein engineering that are driving the development of innovative tools for biological imaging - from single cells to whole organisms. Sessions will explore the discovery and design of next-generation fluorescent proteins and emerging alternatives, as well as their integration into biosensors that report on signaling molecules, cellular activities, and physiological states. We will also feature progress in imaging technologies that leverage these reagents, and the biological insights they’ve enabled. A growing focus will be on the use of machine learning and computational approaches to accelerate protein design and sensor optimization, revealing how these methods are reshaping the landscape of molecular tool development. Presentations and discussions will provide a forward-looking view of how these advances are expanding our ability to visualize and understand biology in action.

Janelia will cover lodging and meals for all participants, and travel support is available to those in need (please indicate need in that portion of the application). Participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.

The meeting will begin at 6pm ET on the first day and end by 1pm ET on the last.

Application deadline: May 21, 2026 (11:59pm ET).

Invited Participants

View the list of invited participants.

Please note: Because Janelia conferences are intentionally small and selective, we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We strive for a broad representation across labs and therefore may limit participation to one person per group. Preference is given to applicants who are active researchers in the field and intend to present their work as a poster or selected talk.