Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXIV 

Harnessing the Power of Community for a Stronger Biotech Future

An ECI Conference Series

July 19 – 23, 2026
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Hotel
Puerto Rico

About This Conference

Natural systems are remarkably complex, yet they offer unparalleled precision and control, which engineers are increasingly harnessing to drive innovation across fields including medicine, manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence are now enabling us to tackle long-standing challenges in engineering microbial communities, developing health interventions, and designing novel data storage systems. At the same time, we are witnessing exciting progress in translating these innovations from the lab to real-world applications. New frontiers are opening up across the kingdoms of life: from using microbes in mining, agriculture, food production, and waste upcycling, to engineering a wide range of eukaryotic and human cell types, including immune cells, for therapeutic purposes. Chemical and biological engineers are at the forefront of these transformative advances.

The Biochemical and Molecular Engineering Conference Series brings together leading researchers from engineering and the natural sciences to share cutting-edge developments, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and explore new strategies to amplify biotechnology’s impact on society. Now in its 24th edition, this storied conference traces its roots back to the early days of recombinant DNA technology. This year, we are thrilled to host the conference in Puerto Rico, a vibrant hub for biotechnology and biopharma. Our goal is to strengthen existing connections, offer opportunities to expand our global network, and inspire the next generation of innovators.

We warmly invite you to join us for a week of dynamic scientific exchange, networking, and community building. Please help us spread the word, especially to early-career researchers, so we can continue the tradition of cultivating a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking community of biochemical and molecular engineers.

Conference Chairs

Session Descriptions

Session 1: Harnessing the Power of Communities for a Stronger Biotech Future

Biotechnology is increasingly shaped by the dynamic interactions within and between communities—both microbial and human. This session will explore how leveraging the power of communities and collaborative networks can unlock new opportunities in biochemical and molecular engineering. Topics will include the role of microbial consortia in bioproduction, bioremediation, and synthetic biology; strategies for engineering stable, high-performing microbial ecosystems; and how interdisciplinary partnerships accelerate innovation. By connecting biological and social communities, we aim to highlight approaches that foster resilience, sustainability, and scalability in the biotech sector and can drive a stronger, more integrated biotech future

Session 2: Discovery and Manufacturing of Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceuticals represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in biotechnology, driving advances in therapeutics for complex diseases. This session will focus on the integrated pipeline from early-stage discovery to large-scale manufacturing. Key topics include cutting-edge approaches for identifying novel biologics, optimizing protein expression systems, and engineering cell lines for improved yield and quality. We will also explore innovations in process development, continuous manufacturing, and analytical technologies that ensure safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance. By bridging molecular design with scalable production, this session highlights strategies to accelerate time-to-market and meet global demand for life-saving biopharmaceuticals.

Session 3: Constructing and Deconstructing Materials

This session will explore innovations in the synthesis and assembly of advanced materials, including bio-based polymers, hybrid composites, and living materials that integrate biological functionality. Equally important is the ability to deconstruct: breaking down bio-based and abiotic materials for recycling, upcycling, and resource recovery. Talks will cover strategies for designing materials with end-of-life considerations, enzymatic and microbial approaches for biodegradation, and the role of synthetic biology in creating adaptive, self-healing systems. By bridging construction and deconstruction, this session highlights pathways toward sustainable, circular material economies and transformative applications in biotechnology.

Session 4: Food and Agricultural Applications

Advances in biochemical and molecular engineering are transforming how we produce, process, and sustain food and agricultural systems. This session will explore cutting-edge innovations that enhance crop productivity, improve food quality, and enable sustainable farming practices. Topics include engineering microbial communities for soil health, developing bio-based fertilizers and biopesticides, and leveraging synthetic biology for resilient crops. We will also examine bioprocessing strategies for alternative proteins, fermentation-based food production, and approaches to reduce waste through circular bioeconomy principles. By integrating biotechnology with agriculture, this session highlights solutions to meet global food security challenges while minimizing environmental impact.

Session 5: Design and Applications of Biomolecular Sensors

Biomolecular sensors are revolutionizing how we detect, monitor, and respond to biological and chemical signals in real time. This session will focus on the principles and innovations behind sensor design, including nucleic acid-based sensors, protein and enzyme-driven detection systems, and synthetic biology approaches for programmable sensing. Applications span healthcare diagnostics, environmental monitoring, industrial bioprocess control, and food safety. We will also explore integration with digital platforms, miniaturization for point-of-care use, and strategies for enhancing sensitivity, specificity, and robustness in complex environments. By bridging molecular engineering with practical deployment, this session highlights how biomolecular sensors are shaping the future of precision biotechnology.

Session 6: Emerging Technologies and Alternative Perspectives

Innovation in biochemical and molecular engineering often comes from challenging conventional approaches and embracing disruptive technologies. This session will spotlight emerging tools and methodologies that are redefining research and industrial practices. We will also explore alternative perspectives that question traditional paradigms, including decentralized biomanufacturing, open-source biotechnology, and unconventional feedstocks for bioprocessing. By fostering dialogue on bold ideas and transformative technologies, this session aims to inspire new directions for sustainable, equitable, and resilient biotech solutions.

Session 7: Biochemical Production Innovations

Advances in biochemical production are redefining how we create fuels, chemicals, and high-value products from renewable resources. This session will highlight breakthroughs in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and process intensification that enable efficient, scalable, and sustainable production systems. Topics include novel microbial and enzymatic platforms, optimization of biocatalytic pathways, and integration of continuous bioprocessing technologies. We will also explore strategies for improving yield, reducing energy consumption, and leveraging non-traditional feedstocks to support a circular bioeconomy. By combining cutting-edge science with industrial application, this session showcases innovations that are driving the next generation of biochemical manufacturing.

Previous Conferences in this Series

Biochemical Engineering
August 20-25, 1978 - Henniker, New Hampshire
Conference Chairs:
Wolf R. Vieth, Rutgers University
Alkis Constantinides, Rutgers University

Biochemical Engineering II
July 13-18, 1980 - Henniker, New Hampshire
Conference Chair:
Alkis Constantinides, Rutgers University

Biochemical Engineering III
September 19-24, 1982 - Santa Barbara, California
Conference Chair:
K. Venkatsubramanian, H.J. Heinz Co. and Rutgers University

Biochemical Engineering IV
September 30 - October 5, 1984 - Galway, Ireland
Conference Chairs:
Henry Lim, Purdue University
Patrick Fottrell, University of Galway

Biochemical Engineering V
July 27-August 1, 1986 - Henniker, New Hampshire
Conference Chair:
William A. Weigand, Illinois Institute of Technology

Biochemical Engineering VI
October 2-7, 1989 - Santa Barbara, California
Conference Chairs:
Walter E. Goldstein, ESCA Genetic Corp.

Biochemical Engineering VII
March 3-8, 1991 - Santa Barbara, California
Conference Chairs:
Henrik Pedersen, Rutgers University
David DiBiasio, Worcester Polytechnic

Biochemical Engineering VIII
July 11-16, 1993 - Princeton, New Jersey
Conference Chairs:
Subhash Karkare, Amgen
Robert M. Kelly, North Carolina State University

Biochemical Engineering IX
May 21-26, 1995 - Davos, Switzerland
Conference Chairs:
Jay Bailey, ETH
Dane Zabriskie, SmithKline Beecham

Biochemical Engineering X
May 18-23, 1997 - Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada
Conference Chairs:
Wei-Shu Hu, University of Minnesota
James Swartz, Genentech

Biochemical Engineering XI
July 25-30, 1999 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Conference Chairs:
George Georgiou, University of Texas
Steven Lee, Merck & Co., Inc.

Biochemical Engineering XII
June 10-15, 2001 - Rohnert Park, California
Conference Chairs:
Doug Clark, University of California-Berkeley
Jay Keasling, University of California-Berkeley
David Robinson, Merck

Biochemical Engineering XIII
July 19-23, 2003 - Boulder, Colorado
Conference Chairs:
Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, Northwestern University
Weichang Zhou, Protein Design Labs

Biochemical Engineering XIV
July 10-14, 2005 - Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., Canada
Conference Chairs:
William Bentley, University of Maryland
Hendrik J. Meerman, Genencor International, Inc.
Michael Betenbaugh, Johns Hopkins University
Vijay Yabannavar, Chiron

Biochemical Engineering XV
July 15-19, 2007 - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Conference Chairs:
Michael Betenbaugh, Johns Hopkins University
Vijay Yabannavar, Trubion Pharmaceuticals
Anne Robinson, University of Delaware
Eugene Schaefer, BMS

Biochemical Engineering XVI
July 5-9, 2009 - Burlington, Vermont, USA
Conference Chairs:
Anne Robinson, University of Delaware
Eugene Schaefer, BMS

Biochemical Engineering XVII
Emerging Frontiers
June 26-30, 2011 - Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Chairs:
François Baneyz, University of Washington
Costas Maranas, Penn State University
Beth Junker, Merck Research

Biochemical Engineering XVIII
Frontiers in Biological Design, Synthetic Biology and Processing: East Meets West
June 16-20, 2013 - Beijing, China
Conference Chairs:
David Robinson, Merck
Tianwei Tan, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Huimin Zhao, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Biochemical Engineering XIX
July 12-16, 2015 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Conference Chairs:
Theresa Good, National Science Foundation
Gargi Seth, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Biochemical Engineering XX
The Next Generation of Biochemical Engineering: From Nanoscale to Industrial Scale
July 16-20, 2017 - Newport Beach, CA, USA
Conference Chairs:
Wilfred Chen, University of Delaware, USA
Nicole Borth, Universität für Bodenkultur, Vienna, Austria
Stefanos Grammatikos, UCB Pharma, Belgium

Biochemical Engineering XXI
July 14-18, 2019 - Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Conference Chairs:
Christina Chan, Michigan State University, USA
Mattheos Koffas, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA
Steffen Schaffer, Evonik Industries, Germany
Rashmi Kshirsagar, Biogen, USA

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXII
The Dawn of a New Era
June 26 – 30, 2022 - Cancun, Mexico
Conference Chairs:
Michael Jewett, Northwestern University
Kristala Prather, MIT
Michael Köpke, LanzaTech
Diane Hatton, AstraZeneca

Biochemical and Molecular Engineering XXIII
Accelerating Biotech Solutions to Aid a Changing World
July 21 – 25, 2024 - Dublin, Ireland
Conference Co-Chairs:
Michelle O’Malley, University of California at Santa Barbara, USA
Brian Pfleger, University of Wisconsin, USA
Varnika Roy, GSK, USA

General Information About ECI

Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.

The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.

All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.

Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.