The 70th NIBB Conference

ABC International Symposium

Bridging Astronomy and Biology:

Spectral Footprints of Life Beyond Earth

Overview

Access & Accommodation

November 9th (Mon) to 11th (Wed), 2026

Venue: Okazaki Conference Center (Okazaki, Aichi, Japan)

Information

Registration will start on early August.

Deadlines: TBA

We encourage participants to consider giving poster presentations.

Overview

Connecting Life Across Scales: From Molecules to Planets

Oxygen released through plant photosynthesis and the vegetation covering Earth’s surface are vital components that shape our global planetary environment. The transmission spectra of atmospheric oxygen and the reflection spectra of vegetation serve as crucial "biosignatures" (indicators of life) that can be detected from vast distances on exopolanets.

Predicting how planets and flora co-evolve in environments different from Earth, and capturing those faint signals through astronomical observations, is a monumental challenge. Addressing it requires indispensable, cross-disciplinary collaboration among fields such as biology, environment science, planetary science, and astronomy, breaking through traditional academic boundaries.

With "Spectroscopy" as our unifying keyword, this conference aims to facilitate cross-disciplinary discussions and the exchange of ideas on life-related phenomena, ranging from the molecular level to the planetary scale.

Speakers

Invited Speakers:

Nancy Y. Kiang (NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, USA)

Wonkook Kim (Pusan National University, Korea)

David M. Kramer (Jan IngenHousz Institute, The Netherlands)

Sascha Quanz (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Switzerland)

Shang-Min Tsai (Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan)

Kenji Takizawa (Astrobiology Center / National Institute for Basic Biology, NINS, Japan)

Katsuki Johzuka (Astrobiology Center / National Institute for Basic Biology / Astrobiology Cente, NINS, Japan)

and more (to be announced)

Program

Tentaitve Program

Day 1: 2026.11.9 (Mon)

12:00 - 13:00 Registration

13:00 - 13:05 Opening Remarks

TBA

Session 1 What is Astrobiology?

Session 2 生物と天体をつなぐ分光観測技術

Mixer dinner

Day 2: 2026.11.10 (Tue)

Session 3 太陽系外惑星観測と地球生物のリモートセンシング

Session 4 極限環境への生物適応

12:00-14:00 Lunch along with Poster session

Afternoon Site visit to NIBB Trans-Scale Biology Center

Free time

Day 3: 2026.11.11 (Wed)

Session 5 太陽系外惑星における光合成生物

12:00 - 12:10 Closing Remarks

TBA

12:20- Departure

Registration

Invited Speakers and those who wish to attend will be required to register via the following links.

Registration Form ← under construction (powered by Google Form)

Registration deadline: TBA

We encourage participants to consider giving a poster presentation.

Several opportunities for short talks will be offered, based on poster submissions.

※ Privacy Policy and Confidentiality for the 70th NIBB Conference

Abstract submission:

Download an abstract template file from here.
Email it to the conference office (nibbconf@nibb.ac.jp).

Abstract submission deadline: TBA

Information on meals during the conference:

During the period of the conference, we will serve meals for all participants.

1 mixer dinner on November 9th and 3 lunch on Novermber 9th to 11th will be served.

We will be collecting meal fees from general participants. Details regarding the cost and payment method will be announced at a later date.

Information about poster presentation:

The details will be announced later.

Organizers

Science Organizing Committee:

Kenji Takizawa (Astrobiology Center / National Institute for Basic Biology, NINS, Japan)

Masahiro Ikoma (Astrobiology Center / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NINS, Japan)

Teruyuki Hirano (Astrobiology Center / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NINS, Japan)

Takayuki Kotani (Astrobiology Center / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NINS, Japan)

Local Organizing Committee Chair:

Kiyoshi Tatematsu (National Institute for Basic Biology, Japan)

Access & Accommodation

How to access

Accommodation list