20th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference
20TH INTERNATIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY OF EXERCISE CONFERENCE
June 1-5, 2026
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Roanoke, Virginia, USA
IBEC 2026: Exercise and Healthspan
IBEC is the international conference on exercise biochemistry with the longest history, dating to 1968. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is excited to bring IBEC back to the United States for 2026 after 25 years abroad. The 2026 theme, Exercise and Healthspan, will include topics such as:
- Advancing age and the response to exercise
- Reproduction biology and exercise
- Interactions between exercise and prescription medication
- Exercise and skeletal muscle anabolic response
- Exercise and inter/intra-organ crosstalk
- Mitochondrial remodeling
- Circadian clock and exercise-mediated adaptation
- Exercising brain: Impacts on neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity
- Exercise immunity and cancer prevention
- Mythbusters in biochemistry
Post-conference Career Development with Advanced Technology Course
In addition to the comprehensive schedule of events and topics for this years IBEC, the research institute will host a two-day post-conference course focused on career development with advanced technology. This course, held June 4-5, is open to all students and professionals seeking first-hand experience with advanced technology within the field of health science and working to develop and increase knowledge, networking, and career opportunities. The course topics include:
- Models of exercise intervention: from worms, flies, rodents to humans
- Mitochondrial structure and function: SFBEM and Oroboros
- Molecularly-engineered rodents: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing
- Functional assessment: exercise capacity (VO2max), muscle contractility (Aurora), metabolic function (CLAMS & PET MRI) in animals and humans
- Career development
- Grant writing and review
For more information, or to be part of a sponsorship
Zhen Yan, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Exercise Medicine Research
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
zhenyan1@vtc.vt.edu
540-526-2386