Cell surface serves as a hub for protein-small molecule, protein-protein, and cell-cell interactions, actively studied across diverse fields, including developmental biology, neuroscience, physiology, cancer biology, and immunology. Complex molecular communication between cells is established and regulated by various cell surface molecules. Decades of structural, biochemical, genetic, and cellular research have provided fundamental insights into many of these molecules and their interactions. Recent breakthroughs in chemical biology, protein engineering, advanced imaging, and systems biology have driven the development of powerful new tools for precise understanding and manipulation of cell surface molecules. To bridge these two traditionally distinct fields and connect tool developers with biologists, we are convening leading scientists who employ diverse, cross-disciplinary approaches to uncover the intricate mechanisms of the cell surface.

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.

Applications are closed.

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.

A mechanistic understanding of how cord circuits operate in both vertebrates and invertebrates is critical for understanding brain function. Beyond serving as simple relay centers, recent progress in animal models - spanning insects, fish, and mammals - has revealed remarkable complexity in cord circuits at the structural and functional levels. Moreover, recent studies have uncovered stark analogies in circuit design and function across model systems. This meeting will bring together experts focused on uncovering organizational and functional properties of cord circuits in a variety of animal models, as well as those using or developing novel tools and techniques for probing cord structure and function (neurophysiology, connectomics, transcriptomics, kinematics, neuromechanical simulations, etc). We look forward to a uniquely interdisciplinary conference with vibrant discussions, cross-fertilization of ideas and exploring new collaborations to further accelerate progress in the field.

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: June 3, 2025 (11:59 pm ET)

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.

The second iteration of our SimBodies conference will focus on computational simulation of biomechanical body models, bringing together scientists from the neuroethology, physics simulation, machine learning, and computer vision communities. Recent technological advances in automated behavior analysis, anatomical microscopy, simulation software and machine learning now enable detailed biomechanical simulations of behaving animals at the whole-body scale. We aim to assess the state of the art, identify existing gaps, and continue to foster an interdisciplinary community to address those gaps. The program will include invited and selected talks highlighting individual model organisms and cross-cutting approaches.

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.

Applications deadline: Nov 21, 2025 (11:59pm ET)

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.

The fourth installment of our ChemTools conference will bring together experts in the development of chemistry-based tools that unravel signaling networks within cells and tissues. Presentations and discussions will focus on three major themes: 1) major platforms and analytical tools to measure cells and tissue networks, 2) methods to perturb biological networks in cells and tissues, and 3) applications of these tools to make novel insights to biological systems.

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.

Applications deadline: Dec 5, 2025 (11:59pm ET)

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.