Evolutionary Developmental Biology conferences

The SICB annual meeting examines how organisms function and evolve by integrating morphology, development, physiology, behaviour and ecology. Symposia connect neural sensing to movement; test developmental and evolutionary responses to climate; investigate regeneration of bodies, brains and behaviour; and combine extinct and living organisms to reconstruct biological change. Further sessions examine dormancy, compliant structures, host–microbiome feedback, mutualisms, shark development, polyploidy, crustacean life cycles and animal aesthetics. Neuromechanics sessions compare how muscle–tendon properties, passive body mechanics, active sensing and neural circuits support stable, adaptable movement. Regeneration sessions combine single-cell and spatial omics, gene editing, live imaging, lineage tracing and comparative genomics to test whether recovery reuses developmental mechanisms. Dormancy sessions compare molecular and physiological pathways across diapause, torpor and hibernation. Contributed talks and posters extend these comparative approaches across biological scales. The Science and Society plenary examines the evolutionary biomechanics of terrestrial locomotion; the President’s plenary asks whether humans are unusually extravagant in their energy use. The programme begins on 3 January at 19:30 with the Science and Society plenary, followed by a 20:30 reception. Scientific sessions continue on 4–7 January; the final scheduled lecture ends at 16:30 on 7 January. All programme times are Eastern Standard Time (America/New_York, UTC−05:00). Presenters must register by 2 November 2026 to remain on the programme. Early registration prices apply through 2 December 2026. Full-meeting fees before/after that date are: professional members $572/$672; nonmember professionals $842/$942; postdoc members $367/$467; nonmember postdocs $486/$586; student members $227/$327; nonmember students $346/$446; and emeritus members $405/$505. Developing-country professional members pay $200/$300, nonmember professionals $275/$375, and student members $127/$227. Eligible AMS, MISS, SVP or TCS affiliates pay $572/$672. K–12/community-college educator members pay $243/$343 and nonmembers $335/$435. One-day rates before/after the same date are: professional/postdoc/emeritus members $230/$330; nonmember professionals/emeritus/educators $351/$451; educator members $150/$250; student members and developing-country members $135/$235; and nonmember students and developing-country nonmembers $200/$300. Fees are in US dollars. Registration requires an attendee profile; affiliate eligibility is checked. Refund requests must arrive by 2 December 2026 and incur a 20% administrative fee; partial-refund adjustments incur 3.5%.

Neural crest cells and cranial placodes share developmental and evolutionary origins while producing diverse tissues and sensory structures. The conference examines their roles in vertebrate development, regeneration and disease, including congenital abnormalities, cancer and sensory dysfunction. Researchers will compare model organisms and experimental approaches, connecting genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic findings with cell behaviour and tissue formation. Discussion will focus on mechanisms of normal development and the origins of disorders when those processes fail. Attendance applications are reviewed and capacity may fill before the application deadline.