Connect, Present and Explore: Join HBBC 2026 at JNTBGRI, Kerala

How can advances in biotechnology help us understand and conserve biodiversity? Researchers working across plant science, genomics, bioinformatics and related disciplines are invited to explore this question at the International Conference on Harnessing Biotechnology for Biodiversity Conservation (HBBC 2026), to be held on 17–18 December 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Organised by JNTBGRI’s Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division, the conference offers the Plant Science Today community an opportunity to share research, exchange methods and develop connections with scientists addressing biodiversity conservation from different perspectives. Researchers, faculty members, students, industry professionals and other interested stakeholders are welcome.

JNTBGRI, Kerala
Conference venue · 17–18 December Kovalam Beach
Optional evening tour · 18 December Ponmudi, Western Ghats
Optional day trip · 19 December

Images: HBBC 2026 conference website. Tours are optional and charged separately.

A forum for research across disciplines

For plant scientists, the programme provides a setting to connect laboratory discoveries with broader conservation questions. The eight thematic areas span:

• Plant and microbial biotechnology
• Conservation genomics and bioinformatics
• Metagenomics and environmental DNA
• Biotechnology for threatened species
• Climate change and biodiversity
• Ethnobiotechnology and traditional knowledge
• Bioprospecting and natural products
• Policy, ethics and community engagement

Participants can explore how their work relates to these themes and identify opportunities for discussion beyond their own specialism. Explore the scientific themes.

Present your findings and meet the speakers

The tentative two-day programme includes keynote addresses, invited talks, oral presentations, poster presentations and a Young Researchers’ Forum. These sessions offer opportunities to communicate findings and engage with researchers at different stages of their careers.

The announced invited speakers are Prof. Madan Thangavelu of the University of Cambridge, UK; Prof. Dr. Jennifer Ann of Universiti Malaya, Malaysia; Prof. M. R. N. Murthy of Chanakya University, Bengaluru, India; and Dr. Umesh K Reddy of West Virginia State University, USA. And many more to join!

Read about the invited speakers and view the tentative programme. Detailed session timings will be announced by the organisers.

Special issue opportunity in Plant Science Today

Plant Science Today has agreed to publish selected high-quality papers presented at the conference as a special issue. Authors whose research falls within the conference themes are encouraged to consider this opportunity when planning their participation.

Full manuscripts will be subject to the journal’s editorial assessment and peer-review process. Conference participation or acceptance of an abstract does not guarantee publication. Journal publication fees are separate from conference registration; the organisers will communicate the applicable amount and payment procedure separately.

Read the registration and publication information.

Extend your visit with practical learning and exploration

Two optional workshops are listed for 17 December: DNA-Based Phylogenetics: Methods and Applications, using MEGA and other tools, and From Raw NGS Reads to Genome Analysis: Quality Control, Assembly and Annotation. The workshops run in parallel, allowing participants to choose the session most relevant to their interests. Each workshop costs ₹1,180, including GST, and requires separate enrolment through the organisers.

Optional tours provide opportunities to explore Kerala beyond the conference sessions. An evening visit to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Kovalam Beach is planned for 18 December, followed by a Ponmudi day trip in the Western Ghats on 19 December. Each tour costs ₹590, including GST, and will operate only if the minimum number of participants register. Tour choices can be indicated in the registration form.

Workshop and tour charges are additional to conference registration. Explore the workshops and tours, including participation conditions.

Important dates and registration

• Abstract submission deadline: 30 October 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 31 October 2026
• Early bird registration deadline: 15 November 2026
• Regular registration deadline: 30 November 2026
• Conference: 17–18 December 2026

Registration options are available for students, faculty and industry participants. Indian student participation-only registration is ₹1,180, including GST; oral and poster presentation fees differ. For presenters, registration fees are payable after abstract acceptance. Registration includes food and refreshments, conference materials and local transportation during the conference.

Please consult the current registration fee table, which supersedes the fee information in the original brochure, and the important dates section before making arrangements.

Register and submit your abstract

We encourage members of the Plant Science Today community to participate and share this announcement with colleagues, research groups and students whose work connects with the conference themes.

For conference enquiries, contact Dr. K. K. Sabu at sabu@jntbgri.res.in. Further details are available on the official HBBC 2026 website.