The 31st Symposium for Young Asian Biological Engineers' Community
An academic platform fostering cross-regional collaboration and breakthrough research in biological engineering, biotechnology, and bioprocess engineering across Asia.
About the Symposium
The symposium for YABEC is an international academic platform dedicated to fostering communication, showcasing research achievements, and promoting cross-regional collaboration among young investigators in biological engineering, biotechnology, and bioprocess engineering.
The symposium for YABEC serves as a key youth-oriented activity within the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB). Originating from an active youth exchange initiative at the 1994 Asia-Pacific Biochemical Engineering Conference, YABEC inaugurated its first official symposium in Seoul, Korea, in 1995. The community operates under a collaborative organizational structure, utilizing dedicated regional delegates within a fixed executive committee.
Following a successful 30th edition held in Japan in 2025, the upcoming 31st Symposium in Hong Kong continues its mission to expand scholarly academic networks across Asia.
Joint Organizers
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Beijing, China
Conference Themes
The oral presentations at YABEC 2026 cover four core biological engineering themes:
Medical Biotechnology & Biochip/Biosensor
Bioenergy, Biorefinery & Environmental Biotechnology
Applied Microbiology, Synthetic Biology & Bioinformatics
Enzyme, Food Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, Biophysics & Others
Tentative Program
Registration
HKUST CampusWelcome dinner, China Garden
HKUST CampusRegistration
HKUST CampusOpening ceremony
Plenary lecture
Keynote lecture 1
Group photo + coffee break
Keynote lecture 2
Keynote lecture 3
Keynote lecture 4
Lunch
Coffee Break and Poster Session 1
Oral presentations 1 (4 talks across 4 sessions)
Oral presentations 2 (4 talks across 4 sessions)
Coffee break + Poster Session 2
Closing Ceremony/Introduction of Next YABEC
Banquette dinner
Off CampusBiofun
HKUST CampusExcursion
Please note that excursions are not included in the registration fee. Details will be announced soonAbstract Submission & Template
All prospective presenters for oral and poster sessions must prepare and format their abstracts using the official YABEC template before submitting. Abstracts should be sent to your regional delegate by e-mail.
Registration
Join Us at YABEC 2026
Registration is required for all symposium attendees, presenters, and committee delegates. The symposium registration is managed by the Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB). Please click the button below to open the AFOB registration portal.
Open Registration Portal
Important Dates
YABEC 2026 Registration Fee
Registration Fee |
Standard (14–30 Sep. 2026) |
Late (1–15 Oct. 2026) |
|
|
AFOB Member |
YABECian (≤50 years) |
USD 210 |
USD 250 |
|
OABECian (>50 years) |
USD 210 |
USD 250 |
|
|
Non-AFOB Member |
YABECian (≤50 years) |
USD 250 |
USD 300 |
|
OABECian (>50 years) |
USD 250 |
USD 300 |
|
|
Accompanying Person |
USD 200 |
||
Committees
Local Organizing Committee (HKUST)
Prof. Richard LAKERVELD
Associate Head & Associate Professor
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Prof. Bonnie Danqing ZHU
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Organizing committee (BUCT)
Prof. Zihe LIU
Professor
Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT)
Regional Delegates
Prof. Zihe LIU
Professor
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Email: 2017500070@mail.buct.edu.cn
Prof. Masumi YAMADA
Professor
Chiba University
Email: yabec2026abstract@yabec-jp.org
Prof. Seung Pil Pack
Professor
Korea University
Email: spack@korea.ac.kr
Prof. Tae-Joon Jeon
Professor
Inha University
Email: tjjeon@inha.ac.kr
Prof. Jonghoon Choi
Professor
Chung-Ang University
Email: nanomed@cau.ac.kr
Prof. Sang Woo Seo
Professor
Seoul National University
Email: swseo@snu.ac.kr
Prof. Jeong Wook LEE
Associate Professor
POSTECH
Email: jeongwook@postech.ac.kr
Prof. Si-Yu LI
Professor
National Chung Hsing University
Email: syli@dragon.nchu.edu.tw
Logistics & Transportation
Complete arrival guide to reach the Clear Water Bay Campus of HKUST.
Venue Location
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
HKUST occupies a state-of-the-art campus located on a hillside overlooking the scenic Clear Water Bay. The main academic program will take place at the Clear Water Bay Campus.
Accommodation Options
Hong Kong generally has many hotel options that are within easy reach of the campus. For example, The Royal Garden Kowloon East (3 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O) is close to campus. Other convenient options include Vega Suites, Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Kowloon and Nina Hotel Kowloon East. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon generally also offer plenty of hotel options, which are further away but generally well connected to the MTR system. Please note that hotel rates and bookings are managed by the respective hotels. More hotel options can be found on the Hong Kong Tourism Board's website.
The HKUST campus can easily be reached by public transport from the MTR subway system (see below for details). Furthermore, taxis and ride-hailing services are generally available in Hong Kong.
The registration fee includes registration, the welcome dinner, lunch, proceedings, and banquet, and it DOES NOT cover the accommodation. Participants are expected to book their hotels by themselves.
From Hong Kong International Airport to HKUST
Red Urban Taxi (Direct)
The simplest and most direct method to reach the HKUST campus, especially recommended if you have heavy baggage.
- Board at the Airport Taxi Station.
- Request destination: HKUST (Clear Water Bay Campus).
- Instruct the driver to drop you off near the Red Sundial at the North Entrance.
Airport Express & Taxi Combo
A fast transit route combining the airport high-speed train and local taxi.
- Take Airport Express to Kowloon Station.
- Directly transfer to a Red Urban Taxi from Kowloon Station to the HKUST Campus.
Bus A29 & Transit Combo
The most budget-friendly public transport option utilizing city flyer double-decker buses.
- Take Airport Bus A29 from Airport to Po Lam MTR Station.
- From Po Lam, take a local Red/Green Taxi OR board the public Bus 91M directly to campus.
Public MTR Subway & Local Minibus Route Details
Please note that while franchised buses (e.g., KMB, Citybus, Long Win, NLB) generally accept contactless card options and e-payment mobile applications (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, AlipayHK, WeChat Pay), green minibuses still heavily rely on the local Octopus card or cash for payment. For both buses and green minibuses, if you pay with cash, neither the driver nor the machine will give you change. Some mobile phone providers offer an Octopus App for Tourists, which is convenient to use for all public transport in Hong Kong. Physical Octopus cards can also be purchased at various locations in Hong Kong (e.g., at MTR Customer Service Centers at the Airport or at MTR stations), which can be topped up at service centers or at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.
Via Choi Hung MTR Station (Green Line)
From Choi Hung Station, proceed to the public transit exits to connect to campus:
- Green Minibus 11 (Use Exit C1)
- Bus 91 or 91M (Use Exit C2)
Via Hang Hau MTR Station (Purple Line)
From Hang Hau Station, navigate to the transport interchange to find direct shuttles:
- Green Minibus 11M (Use Exit B1)
- Bus 91M (Use Exit B2)
Please also see our University Visitor Information.