i-Biohackathon 2026
Turn Biological Data into Real Solutions
Biology today is a data science. Using AI and bioinformatics, you'll take on two real-world challenges drawn from Malaysia's key food industries — protecting the oil palm from a costly pest, and decoding what makes prawns thrive. No wet lab required. Just your brain and a laptop.
Precision Agriculture
Use data and biotechnology to protect Malaysia's oil palm from the bagworm pest Metisa plana.
Precision Aquaculture
Decode why some prawns thrive while others stay stunted — the “jumper-laggard” mystery.
One Mission. Four Tracks.
There's a track for every level of experience. Full task details are shared in a dedicated online briefing for registered participants.
Bio-Explorer
Design an A1 scientific poster pitching fresh ideas for the future of agri-biotech.
Bio-Analyst
Mine real bagworm (Metisa plana) data for genes to fight oil palm pests.
Systems Biologist
Integrate multi-omics data to crack the prawn “jumper-laggard” puzzle.
Solutions Engineer
Build a production-ready biomarker & probiotic deployment pipeline.
What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the competition? Find quick answers below.
What is the i-biohackathon?
The i-biohackathon is a multi-level biotechnology and bioinformatics competition focused on solving real-world challenges in precision agriculture and aquaculture. Ranging from High School to Professional tracks, participants work with real biological data—such as bagworm genomes and prawn microbiome data—to develop practical solutions. Whether you are designing futuristic agri-biotech pitches, identifying pest-fighting genes to protect oil palms, or engineering production-ready omics software pipelines, the event challenges teams to translate raw biological data into actionable innovations.
How many members can be in a team, and do we need an advisor?
Teams must consist of 2 to 4 members. For participants in Tracks 1, 2, and 3 (High School, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate), teams also have the option to include an advisor, such as a school teacher or university lecturer.
Do the organizers handle PAJSK registration for High School participants?
No. For participants in the High School track (Bio-Explorer), PAJSK registration must be handled individually by the students or their respective schools. The organizers will not be managing or processing PAJSK registrations.
Will the required biological data be provided for the bioinformatics tracks?
Yes, the necessary data will be provided to participants depending on their track:
- Track 2 (Undergraduate - Bio-Analyst): Genome data for the bagworm (Metisa plana) will be provided.
- Tracks 3 & 4 (Postgraduate & Professional): 16S microbiome sequencing data will be provided for the prawn aquaculture tasks.
When will we receive the exact task deliverables and the points schema?
The complete, detailed breakdown of the tasks and the official points/grading schema will be sent directly to all registered participants once their registration is confirmed and competition period started.
Will there be a briefing session to explain the tasks?
Yes! Once the competition officially starts, we will host an online briefing session to explain the details and expectations of each track's tasks. The exact date and time will be emailed to registered participants. If you cannot attend live, a recording of the session will be provided.
Are there any confidentiality requirements to participate?
Yes. Because participants will be working with real, proprietary genomic and multi-omics data, all participants and team members are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before competing.
Ready to compete?
Registration closes 26 July 2026. Grab your team and sign up.
Register NowScan or click to open the registration form
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor ·
+603 8921 4546 | inbiosis.workshop@ukm.edu.my