On Day 1 (May 4th) the HYS 2026 will offer 3 fascinating courses, encompassing AI, Biosecurity, and Screening nucleic acids orders. Click on the course title on the event website for a full description of each pre-symposium class.

Day 2 (May 5th) features our keynote speaker, Yale’s own Professor Akiko Iwasaki, who will share her Center’s role in gaining insight into the strategies that pathogens use deepen the understanding of how the immune system responds to protect the host. She will share her research on the pathobiology of long COVID and other post-acute infections related to autoimmunity, cancer, and other diseases.

Day 2 (May 5th) will include a string of presentations that have been coordinated to provide insight and learning opportunities on new and upcoming regulations pertinent to Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC), dangerous Gain of Function (GOF) research, and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). These presentations will include a summary of how institutions are addressing these challenges, along with a hands-on opportunity to participate in a live “mock” Institutional Review Entity meeting where 2 high-risk protocols will be presented with reviewed with all participants. We are also holding a time slot for discussion of the updated national DURC/GOF policy.

Day 2 (May 5th) also includes presentations about the risks of AI in biosafety and biosecurity to start our symposium, and we’ll hold an educational roundtable on mirror life research, deemed one of the greatest risks we could face in the future if mirror life bacteria or other cells are pursued. Participants will hear about these risks, but also the potential benefits of research with non-replicative mirror life peptides.

Click HERE for information and registration