Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
- 12:30 PM – 5:25 PM
These are the previously published dates. Check the organizer for a new edition.
Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design explores the molecules researchers build
Changing a peptide or protein can give researchers a more precise way to probe biology—or a possible route toward a therapy. Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design follows both possibilities in an afternoon of research talks and posters on October 29, 2026, in New York and online.
What molecular design can do
The conference centers on how chemists and biologists alter peptides and proteins to change their properties. The Academy points to approaches that can make molecules more specific, switchable or better suited to pharmacological use. The resulting designs can serve as tools for studying biological mechanisms as well as candidates for treating disease.
Keynote speaker Samuel Gellman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will discuss an unconventional approach to polypeptide design and agonists of class B1 GPCRs, a group of receptors. The opening session also includes Mandë Holford of Harvard University on prediction models for exploring venom peptides and proteins, and Christopher Plummer of Merck on oral macrocyclic peptide inhibitors of IL-1b.
Further reading: Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design - NYAS ↗ · Agenda: Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design ↗
From bacterial resistance to cellular entry
Short talks selected from submitted abstracts offer a look at several different research problems. Stefan Belic of New York University will present work on a macrocyclic peptide inhibitor of NorA in the context of bacterial multidrug resistance. Kübra Kaygisiz of MIT will discuss a platform for discovering phase-separating peptides using tandem mass spectrometry.
The final session turns to engineering proteins for therapeutic applications. Jie Zhou of the University of Chicago will present work using lentiviral display to select antibodies that enter cells. Farren Isaacs of Yale University is also on the agenda; a presentation title is not listed.
Further reading: Agenda: Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design ↗ · Speakers: Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design ↗
Conference agenda
The afternoon moves from peptide design to selected short talks and protein engineering, with a poster session between the first two speaking sessions.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Conference agenda
- Check-in and Poster Set-up
- Welcome Remarks — Cassie Chartier, PhD, The New York Academy of Sciences
- Poster Session and Networking Coffee Break
- Closing Remarks — Cassie Chartier, PhD, The New York Academy of Sciences.
- Conference Ends
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Session I: Chemical Tailoring of Bioactive Peptides
- Session chaired by Charles Jayne, MS, Merck.
- Keynote: “Non-Traditional Modulation of Polypeptide Information: Novel Agonists of Class B1 GPCRs” — Samuel Gellman, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; introduction by Jonathan Lai, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- “Exploring the Chemical Space of Venom Peptides and Proteins Using Prediction Models” — Mandë Holford, PhD, Harvard University.
- “Oral Macrocyclic Peptide Inhibitors of IL-1b” — Christopher Plummer, PhD, Merck.
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Session II: Short Talks Selected from Submitted Abstracts
- Short-talk session chaired by Sarah Slavoff, PhD, Yale University.
- “Targeting Bacterial Multidrug Resistance: A Macrocyclic Peptide Inhibitor of NorA Reveals a Dual Mode of Recognition” — Stefan Belic, New York University.
- “Discovery Platform for Phase Separating Peptides using Tandem Mass Spectrometry” — Kübra Kaygisiz, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- “Mapping the Transcriptional Landscape of SOX10 Utilizing HaloPROTAC Mediated Degradation” — Ashleigh Purvis, Yale University.
- “Design and Evolution of an Orthogonal HaloTag for Multiplexed Labeling in Cells” — Benjamin Goldberg, Tufts University.
Registration and planning
Choose the virtual option or waitlist
In-person registration is sold out. The Academy directs prospective attendees to a waitlist or virtual registration.
Prices vary by format and category
Published in-person/virtual rates are $125/$55 for members; $45/$20 for member students, postdocs and fellows; $60/$30 for nonmember students, postdocs and fellows; $155/$70 for nonmember academia and nonprofit attendees; and $190/$85 for nonmember general-entry and corporate attendees.
Submission deadline has passed
The deadline for consideration for a short talk or poster was September 10, 2026.
Getting to the in-person venue
115 Broadway
The conference venue is The New York Academy of Sciences, 115 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10006. Use the map links to calculate directions from your own starting point.
Before you make a plan
Can I still register to attend in person?
In-person registration is sold out. The Academy offers a waitlist, as well as virtual registration.
How much does virtual registration cost?
Published virtual rates range from $20 to $85, depending on membership and attendee category.
Can I still submit an abstract?
The stated deadline for short-talk and poster consideration was September 10, 2026.
Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design ↗ · Agenda: Chemical Biology: Peptide and Protein Design ↗
When is the poster session?
It is scheduled for 2:55–3:40 p.m. ET, alongside a networking coffee break.
Location & Google Maps
The New York Academy of Sciences
115 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10006
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.