MASSIV 1.0

The Meeting for Advanced Synthetic Biology and Systems Bioengineering in Vancouver

January 19-22 2026 | Vancouver British Columbia

Abstract registration deadline:

Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

View our trainee events—dynamic sessions designed to connect and inspire emerging scientists.

About MASSIV 1.0

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Stem Cell Network (SCN) are pleased to be partnering to deliver this event, hosted by the School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC.

The Meeting for Advanced Synthetic Biology and Systems Bioengineering in Vancouver (MASSIV) 1.0 will bring together leading researchers, innovators, and trainees from around the world to discuss the future of synthetic biology and biomedical engineering.

Recent advances in genome, cell, tissue, and organ engineering have enabled us to push the boundaries of biology and medicine at an unprecedented scale. Hosted in Vancouver, MASSIV 1.0 will highlight cutting-edge technologies and applications at the interface of biology, engineering, regenerative medicine, and data science. We will place special emphasis on how long-standing synthetic biology and bioengineering principles, originally developed using microorganisms alongside computational and AI approaches, can now be applied to stem cell biology and tissue engineering to advance human health more than ever before.

Four-day program

Catalyzing research and collaboration in synthetic biology. Held at Canada's leading academic institution in the heart of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Speaker Lineup

Hear from leading experts from around the world in over 40 talks and discussions showcasing the latest innovations in biology

Interdisciplinary Panel Discussions

Each panel will bring together 5–6 leading experts from diverse disciplines to discuss pressing challenges and emerging solutions in synthetic biology and systems bioengineering, with an emphasis on applications in regenerative medicine

Training Events

Designed to foster connection, creativity, and career growth, these trainee-focused sessions bring together emerging scientists and global leaders in synthetic biology.

REGISTER NOW

Register to Present

Abstract submission

We invite students and trainees to submit abstracts for poster presentations. Selected abstracts will also be chosen for short talks if interest is indicated.

Please note: All abstract submitters will be invited to register for the in-person conference once acceptance notifications have been issued.

Trainees, staff and research faculty welcome.

$350 CAD

Register to Attend

General registration

Join us for an inspiring event where you’ll hear from industry leaders, connect with fellow innovators, and discover the latest breakthroughs in synthetic biology.

  • Full access to all conference sessions
  • Dedicated networking opportunities
  • Comprehensive conference materials

*Trainees, staff and research faculty welcome.

*Only if you are not submitting an abstract. If submitting an abstract, please use the Abstract Submission Form to be considered.

$350 CAD

Important Dates

Event

Date

General registration

Abstract submission opens

Abstract Submission closes

November 14, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

Abstract acceptance notification

November 17, 2025

Successful abstracts-conference registration closes

November 28, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Patrick Cai

Chair, Synthetic Genomics The University of Manchester

Dr. Katie Galloway

Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Prof. Hiroyuki Noji

Professor, Department of Bioengineering

University of Tokyo

Dr. Masayuki Su’etsugu

Professor, Department of Life Science

Rikkyo University

Dr. Samantha Morris

Faculty, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School, Department of Systems Biology

Dr. Asako Sugimoto

Professor, Graduate School of Life Science Tohoku University

Dr. Sud Pinglay

Build Team Lead & Faculty

SeaHub & The University of Washington

Dr. Maryam Tabrizian

McGill University

Dr. Brenda Andrews

The University of Toronto

View Full Speaker Lineup

Wilson Wong

Boston University

Michael Garton

University of Toronto


Barbara Cheifet

Chief Editor

Nature Biotechnology


Michelle Trenkmann

Senior Editor

Nature


Spyros Goulas

Scientific Advisor, WPI-ASHBi

Kyoto University


Tomoya Kitajima

RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research


Tsutomu Suzuki

University of Tokyo


Kunihiro Ohta

University of Tokyo


Hiroaki Takesue

Kyushu University


Kayo Nozawa

Institute of Science

Tokyo


Yasuto Murayama

National Institute of Genetics


Hirohisa Kyogoku

Kobe University


Atsuko Shirai

RIKEN


Sakura Takada

Keio University


David Knapp

Université de Montréal

Hiroshi Abe

Nagoya University


Mo Ebrahimkhani

University of Pittsburgh

Nika Shakiba

University of British Columbia


Peter Zandstra

University of British Columbia


Kenji Kamimoto

University of Osaka


Carl de Boer

University of British Columbia

Véronique Moulin

CHU de Quebec - Université Laval


Nobuhiko Hamazaki

University of Washington


Magdi Elsallab

Harvard Medical School


Wes Robertson

Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology


Tomomi Tsubouchi

Shizuoka University


Jason Moffat

University of Toronto


Tetsuji Kakutani

University of Tokyo


Ichiro Hiratani

RIKEN


Tetsuya Yamamoto

Hokkaido University


Tomoko Nishiyama

Kyoto University


Hideaki Matsubayashi

Tohoku University


Ai Niitsu

RIKEN


Sarah Hedtrich

University of British Columbia

Jennifer Mitchell

University of Toronto

Conference Agenda

  • Day 1 - Jan 19
  • Day 2 - Jan 20
  • Day 3 - Jan 21
  • Day 4 - Jan 22
Day 1 - Jan 19
Day 2 - Jan 20
Day 3 - Jan 21
Day 4 - Jan 22

CONFERENCE PARTNERS


Venue

UBC AMS NEST

6133 University Blvd

UBC Campus, Vancouver BC, Canada

V6T 1Z1