Bionics and Biohybrids

Feb. 12-14, 2026; Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan

Click here for the poster

About

Aatre Research Conference (ARC) is held under the aegis of ISSS (Institute for Smart Structures and Systems). It is modelled after Gordon Research Conferences, Gelfand Seminars, and others. It offers an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of a contemporary or emerging topic from masterclass talks by experts and through lively discussions led by other experts. There are no contributed or invited papers. Apart from a handful of speakers and discussion leaders, other attendees do not present but they are there to listen, discuss, and get enlightened. Free-flowing discussions on the chosen topic is a hallmark of ARC. This is captured in the logo with two dialogue boxes within the arc-work that forms an elephant, which symbolizes wisdom. Conversations make us wiser because we get to perceive the perspectives of others. Through complete immersion into the chosen topics of the year over two full days, the participants of ARC are expected to learn something new, to form lasting intellectual bonds with leaders and rising stars in the field, and to recalibrate their research mindset. In short, attending an ARC should be like taking a cerebral vacation.

Venue and Dates

The venue chosen for the first ARC is Hoysala Village Resort (https://www.hoysalavillageresorts.com/) located in Hassan in Karnataka, India. It offers a serene environment that is conducive to intellectual discussions. All participants are expected to stay for the entire duration of this conference, arriving by noon on February 12th and leaving on the morning of 15th February. The registration fee includes accommodation and food within the venue of the conference.

Sponsors

ISSS and conference organizers thank the following sponsors of ARC 2026.

Participants

The number of participants is limited to 66 and it is intended that there is 3G diversity (gender, geographical, and generational). 24 participants will be at the junior level, i.e., students and postdocs. The remaining 42 will be early-career, mid-career, and senior academics and technocrats. Accommodation at the venue will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The topics chosen for 2026 are Bionics and Biohybrids, for 13th and 14th February, respectively. Interested participants may please browse through some or all of the pre-conference reading material.

Pre-conference reading material for bionics

Review articles

Shahriari, Dena, Dekel Rosenfeld, and Polina Anikeeva. “Emerging frontier of peripheral nerve and organ interfaces.” Neuron 108.2 (2020): 270-285. Source

Larson, Christopher E., and Ellis Meng. “A review for the peripheral nerve interface designer.” Journal of neuroscience methods 332 (2020): 108523. Source

Russell, Christopher, Aidan D. Roche, and Samit Chakrabarty. “Peripheral nerve bionic interface: a review of electrodes.” International Journal of Intelligent Robotics and Applications 3.1 (2019): 11-18. Source

Bensmaia, Sliman J., Dustin J. Tyler, and Silvestro Micera. “Restoration of sensory information via bionic hands.” Nature Biomedical Engineering 7.4 (2023): 443-455. Source

Valle, Giacomo. “Peripheral neurostimulation for encoding artificial somatosensations.” European Journal of Neuroscience 56.10 (2022): 5888-5901. Source

Shu, Tony, et al. “Mechanoneural interfaces for bionic integration.” Nature Reviews Bioengineering 2.5 (2024): 374-391. Source

Zuo, Kevin J., et al. “Electrical stimulation to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration: Update in molecular investigations and clinical translation.” Experimental neurology 332 (2020): 113397. Source

Speakers’ articles

Srinivasan, S. S., et al. “On prosthetic control: A regenerative agonist-antagonist myoneural interface.” Science Robotics 2.6 (2017): eaan2971. Source

Srinivasan, Shriya S., et al. “A vibrating ingestible bioelectronic stimulator modulates gastric stretch receptors for illusory satiety.” Science Advances 9.51 (2023): eadj3003. Source

Pre-conference reading material for biohybrids

Review articles

Li, Tingyu, and Shoji Takeuchi. “Advancing biohybrid robotics: Innovations in contraction models, control techniques, and applications.” Biophysics Reviews 6.1 (2025). Source

Chen, Z., et al. “Bioinspired and biohybrid soft robots: Principles and emerging technologies, Matter, 8, 102045.” 2025, Source

Kim, Min Suk, et al. “Biohybrid actuators in robotics: recent trends and future perspectives of skeletal and cardiac muscle integration.” npj Robotics 3.1 (2025): 37. Source

Raman, Ritu. “Biofabrication of living actuators.” Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering 26.1 (2024): 223-245. Source

Sun, Lingyu, et al. “Biohybrid robotics with living cell actuation.” Chemical Society Reviews 49.12 (2020): 4043-4069. Source

Bawa, Maheera, and Ritu Raman. “Taking control: Steering the future of biohybrid robots.” Science Robotics 9.94 (2024): eadr9299. Source

Research articles

Park, Sung-Jin, et al. “Phototactic guidance of a tissue-engineered soft-robotic ray.” Science 353.6295 (2016): 158-162. Source

Lee, Keel Yong, et al. “An autonomously swimming biohybrid fish designed with human cardiac biophysics.” Science 375.6581 (2022): 639-647. Source

Speakers’ articles

Takeuchi, Shoji. “Emerging Technology for the Biohybrid Robotics.” 2025 IEEE 38th International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). IEEE, 2025. Source

Ren, Xinzhu, Yuya Morimoto, and Shoji Takeuchi. “Biohybrid hand actuated by multiple human muscle tissues.” Science Robotics 10.99 (2025): eadr5512. Source

Morita, Tomohiro, Minghao Nie, and Shoji Takeuchi. “Tetanus-driven biohybrid multijoint robots powered by muscle rings with enhanced contractile force.” Science Advances 11.29 (2025): eadu9962. Source

Kinjo, Ryuki, et al. “Biohybrid bipedal robot powered by skeletal muscle tissue.” Matter 7.3 (2024): 948-962. Source

Kawai, Michio, et al. “Living skin on a robot.” Matter 5.7 (2022): 2190-2208. Source

Morimoto, Yuya, Hiroaki Onoe, and Shoji Takeuchi. “Biohybrid robot powered by an antagonistic pair of skeletal muscle tissues.” Science robotics 3.18 (2018): eaat4440. Source

Confirmed Participants

Senior participants

  1. V. K. Aatre, Former Head of DRDO and Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister
  2. Kiran Akella, R&DE (Engrs.), DRDO, Pune
  3. G. K. Ananthasuresh, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, IISc, Bengaluru
  4. Sonal Asthana, Liver Transplant Surgeon, CMI Aster Hospital, Bengaluru
  5. Gowri Manohari Balachander, IIT-BHU, Varanasi
  6. Renee Borges, Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (retired)
  7. Vidyashankar Buravalla, General Electric (retired), Bengaluru
  8. Aritra Chatterjee, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Guwahati, Guwahati
  9. Kaushik Chatterjee, Materials Engineering and Bioengineering, IISc, Bengaluru
  10. Sunita Chauhan, Plaksha University, Mohali
  11. K. Gangadharan, Mechanical Engineering, NIT-K, Surathkal
  12. Ashish Gopalakrishnan, Bigtec Labs, Bengaluru
  13. Namrata Gundiah, Mechanical Engineering, IISc, Bengaluru
  14. J. Gurudutt, Entrepreneur and a specialist in electronics engineering and software sales
  15. S. Harsha, Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru
  16. Nagahanumaiah, Director, Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru
  17. Pooja Mukul, Rehabilitation Physician and Social Impact Designer, Jaipur Foot Organization, Jaipur
  18. Prof. Sanjeevi Nakka, NIT-Surathkal, Surathkal
  19. Veda Sandeep Nagaraja, Programme Manager, Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland
  20. Safvan Palathingal, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Hyderabad
  21. Mahesh Panchagnula, Institute Chair Professor in Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT-Madras, Chennai
  22. Ashok Pande, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-H, Hyderabad
  23. Sanjay Sane, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru
  24. Anupam Saxena, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-K, Kanpur
  25. W. Selvamurthy, President ASTIF, Amity University & Chancellor, Noida
  26. Sharan Srinivasan, Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgeon, CMD, PRS Neurosciences and Mechatronics Research Institute (PNMRI)
  27. Shriya Srinivasan, Bioengineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
  28. Sujatha Srinivasan, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-M, Chennai
  29. K. R. Suresh, Director, Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences, Bengaluru
  30. Santanu Talukdar, IISER-Bhopal, Bhopal
  31. Shoji Takeuchi, University of Tokyo, Japan
  32. Vineet Vashista, Mechanical Engineering, IIT-GN, Gandhi Nagar
  33. K. P. Venkatesh, Mechanical Engineering, BITS-Pilani, Pilani
  34. Prof. Khyati Verma, NIT-K, Suratkal

Junior Participants

  1. Debarghya Banerjee, NIT-K, Suratkal
  2. Sougata Basak, NIT-Agartala, Agartala
  3. Meenakshi Kamaraj, IISc, Bengaluru
  4. Raghavendra Katragadda, IISc. Bengaluru
  5. Sushant Maurya, IIT-K, Kanpur
  6. Ashok Ravula, IIT-Goa
  7. Adhisha Roy, IISER-Bhopal
  8. Shantanu Saha, IISc, Bengaluru
  9. Paturu Naga Sai Samhitha, IISc, Bengaluru
  10. Debjit De Sarkar, IISER-Bhopal
  11. Ahmad Rehan Shaikh, UCSD, CA, USA
  12. Tejas Suresh Shewale, IISc, Bengaluru
  13. Varun Singh, IISc, Bengaluru
  14. Vishwanath, IISc, Bengaluru

Technical Programme

There will be only six speakers and four discussion leaders for the two days to cover bionics and biohybrids. There will be formal discussion sessions and informal interactive sessions throughout the day from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM with adequate breaks.

Bionics (13th February, 2026)

  • Masterclass keynote 1: Prof. Shriya Srinivasan (Harvard University)
  • Masterclass keynote 2: Dr. Pooja Mukul (Jaipur Foot Organization)
  • Masterclass keynote 3: Dr. Sharan Srinivasan (Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgeon, CMD, PRS Neurosciences and Mechatronics Research Institute (PNMRI)
  • Discussion leaders: Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan (IIT-Madras) and Prof. Vineet Vashista (IIT-Gandhinagar)

Biohybrids (14th February, 2026)

  • Masterclass keynote 4: Prof. Shoji Takeuchi (University of Tokyo)
  • Masterclass keynote 5: Prof. Kaushik Chatterjee (IISc, Bengaluru)
  • Masterclass keynote 6: Dr. Sonal Asthana (Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru)
  • Discussion leaders: Dr. Sanjay Sane (NCBS-Bengaluru) and Dr. W. Selvamurthy (Amity University)

Schedule for 12th February 

  • 08:30  Depart from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) by bus to the conference venue
  • Arrive at the conference venue by lunchtime
  • Free time until 5 PM

Welcome and Mingling

All are requested to come in traditional attire that they are comfortable with to make this first session informal and engaging, to break the ice and get to know one another. 

  • 17:00 to 17:15 Welcome and about the conference by Prof. G. K. Ananthasuresh and Dr. Vidyashankar Buravalla
  • 17:15 to 17:20 About ISSS by Dr. Veda S. Nagaraja (Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland), President, ISSS
  • 17:20 to 17:50 Life and work of Prof. V. K. Aatre by Dr. W. Selvamurthy
  • 17:50 to 18:20 Address by Prof. V. K. Aatre
  • 18:20 to 18:40 Introduction of the participants and accompanying persons
  • 18:40 to 19:30 Icebreaker (conducted by Prof. Ashok Pandey)
  • 19:30 to 21:00 Dinner

Schedule for 13th February (Bionics)

  • 07:30 to 08:30 Breakfast
  • 08:30 to 09:50 Masterclass keynote lecture by Prof. Shriya Srinivasan including Q&A for 20 min (Neural Interfaces to Rewire Physiology)
  • 09:50 to 10:00 A short break
  • 10:00 to 11:20 Masterclass keynote lecture by Prof. Sharan Srinivasan including Q&A for 20 min (Biohybrids Teach the Brain. Bionics Amplify the Brain. A Functional Neurosurgeon’s View from the Broken Brain)
  • 11:20 to 11:40 Coffee break
  • 11:40 to 13:00 Discussion led by Prof. Vineet Vashista
  • 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch
  • 14:00 to 15:20 Masterclass lecture by Dr. Pooja Mukul (Jaipur Limb Technology – Local Innovation with Global Impact)
  • 15:20 to 15:40 Coffee break and interaction with Master Qadir (a beneficiary of Jaipur limb technology)
  • 15:40 to 16:50 Discussion led by Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan
  • 16:50 to 17:30 Free time
  • 17:30 to 18:30 Breakout session
  • 18:30 to 19:00 Reflections from the speakers and discussion leaders of the day
  • 19:00 to 19:30 Free time
  • 19:30 to 21:00 Dinner
  • 21:00 to 21:30 Impressions of the impressionables

Schedule for 14th February (Biohybrids)

  • 07:30 to 08:30 Breakfast
  • 08:30 to 09:50 Masterclass keynote lecture by Prof. Shoji Takeuchi including Q&A for 20 min (Biohybrid Robotics: Integrating Living Materials into Engineering Systems)
  • 09:50 to 10:00 A short break
  • 10:00 to 11:20 Masterclass keynote lecture by Prof.  Sonal Asthana including Q&A for 20 min (Applications of Materials Engineering in Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine)
  • 11:20 to 11:40 Coffee break
  • 11:40 to 13:00 Discussion led by Prof. Sanjay Sane
  • 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch
  • 14:00 to 15:00 Masterclass lecture by Prof. Kaushik Chatterjee including Q&A for 20 min (Biofabrication technologies and opportunities in engineering biohybrid systems)
  • 15:00 to 15:40 Coffee break and poster session by the junior participants
  • 15:40 to 16:50 Discussion led by Dr. W. Selvamurthy
  • 16:50 to 17:30 Free time
  • 17:30 to 18:30 Breakout session
  • 18:30 to 19:00 Reflections
  • 19:00 to 19:30 Free time
  • 19:30 to 21:00 Dinner
  • 21:00 to 21:20 Impressions of the impressionables
  • 21:20 to 21:30 Reflections by Prof. V. K. Aatre

Selection of Junior Participants

Only 24 junior participants (students and postdocs) will be selected by a committee that reviews applications submitted before Jan. 14, 2026. Selected 24 and those on the waiting list will be informed by Jan. 21, 2026. The selected junior participants must pay the registration fee before Jan. 25, 2025, by using the payment link that will be sent to them.

Students and postdocs are urged to fill in the Google form as soon as possible.

Accompanying Persons

One or two family members (who would share the room with the main participant) are welcome to attend as accompanying persons by paying the registration fee noted later on this page. Sight-seeing tours and other activities will be arranged for accompanying persons. Details and charges of those activities can be obtained from Ms. Rashmi U (rashmi@fsid-iisc.in). Accompanying persons should be registered at the same time as the main participants register. This will help in planning the activities for the accompanying persons.

Transportation

The venue is about 3 h drive from Bengaluru. ISSS will arrange a bus to take participants from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to the venue on 12th February morning at 8:30 AM. Those who want to arrive on 11th February may request accommodation from IISc on a payment basis (contact person is listed at the end of this page).

It is mandatory that all participants arrive at the venue, preferably by noon but not later than 5 PM, on February 12th, 2026. A welcome session, introductions, briefing about the conference, and a cultural programme are planned for 12th evening at about 5 PM.

Pictures of the Venue

Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan, Karnataka

Link to explore the venue virtually.

Registration fees

The registration fee includes accommodation and food for three days, from 12th February noon to 15th February morning. The registration fee also covers the bus ride between IISc and the conference venue. All other expenses are to be borne by the participants. Please note that requests for refunds are not entertained.

  • ISSS members
    • Junior registrant INR 6,000 (students and postdocs)
    • Senior registrant INR 20,000 (all other participants)
    • Accompanying person (21 y and above) INR 15,000
    • Accompanying person (10 y to 20 y) INR 5,000
    • Accompanying person (less than 10 y) None
  • Non-members
    • Junior registrant INR 9,000 (students and postdocs)
    • Senior registrant INR 30,000 (all other participants)
    • Accompanying person (21 y and above) INR 15,000
    • Accompanying person (10 y to 20 y) INR 5,000
    • Accompanying person (less than 10 y) None

Registration form

Selected junior participants will be given a payment link to pay the registration fee and fill in a Google form.

Other participants (early-career, mid-career, and senior) are requested to register using the following Google form before January 13th, 2026.

Registration form

Before filling in the form or while filling in the form, they should pay the registration fee (including those for the accompany persons) using the following QR code and note the UPI transaction number. That number and the amount paid need to be entered in the Google form.

If you do not want to pay through UPI, you can do the online bank-transfer using the following details.

Bank name: Canara Bank
Branch Name: IISc, Bangalore
Account Number: 0683101018513
IFSC: CNRB0000683

Committees

Conference Chair

Prof. G. K. Ananthasuresh (IISc, Bengaluru)

Conference Co-chair

Dr. Vidyashankar Buravalla (retired from General Electric, Bengaluru)

Junior Participants Committee

Dr. Vidyashankar Buravalla (retired from General Electric, Bengaluru) (Chair)

Prof. Santanu Talukdar (IISER-Bhopal)

Prof. Gowri Balachandar (IIT-BHU)

Finance Committee

Dr. W. D. Selvamurthy (Amity University), (Chair)

Dr. Mahesh Panchagnula (IIT-M)

Mr. Zaman Khan (Treasurer, ISSS; STARC, Bengaluru)

ARC Rule-book Committee

Prof. G. K. Ananthasuresh (IISc-Bengaluru) (Chair)

Dr. Vidyashankar Buravalla (Retired from GE-Bengaluru)

Dr. Veda S. Nagaraja (President-ISSS; Tyndall-Corke)

Prof. Rudra Pratap (Plaksha University)

Prof. Ashok Kumar Pandey (IIT-H)

Event Coordination Committee

Ms. Rashmi U (M2D2 Laboratory, IISc-Bengaluru)

Ms. Sumithra (Administrative Assistant, ISSS)

Mr. Harsha (Secretary, ISSS-Governing Council; CMTI-Bengaluru)

Mr. Zaman Khan (Treasurer, ISSS; STARC-Bengaluru)

Contact

Ms. Rashmi U (rashmi@fsid-iisc.in)