Like the space-age pioneers who dreamt of self-sustaining worlds at Biosphere 2, Gastronauts invites you to this iconic venue to explore the future of food. This is an immersive experience, not just a conference, to envision within an inspiring environment how cutting-edge technologies propel groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
On 26-29 October 2025, be a part of the 125 visionaries that will come together to harness the strength of cross-pollinating ideas on gut-brain matters to discover the power of food as medicine.
Come to ignite ideas, forge friendships, and launch collaborations against the backdrop of the stunning Arizona desert. Don’t miss the scientific adventure!
Registration
Secure your place at the forefront of gut-brain matters. Your $1,700 USD registration grants you access to an unparalleled symposium experience, encompassing three nights and two and a half days of immersive exploration within the iconic Biosphere 2. This investment includes:
- Live and learn within Biosphere 2: Experience the unique privilege of residing within this groundbreaking research facility, where every moment is an opportunity for discovery. The venue includes a village of charming Santa Fe style casitas. Each casita has a living area, kitchen, dining room and 3-5 bedrooms. Casitas are equipped with WiFi, air conditioning, bed and bath linens, and bath amenities.
- Nourishment for body and mind: Savor expertly prepared meals that will stimulate your senses and spark engaging discussions.
- Connect and collaborate: Forge lasting connections with fellow visionaries, and be part of a community that is shaping the future of food.
- Share your vision: Showcase your research through poster presentations, and potentially present your work in a short talk, amplifying your impact.
Registration deadline was 19 September 2025.
Bite size presentations
What to share your exciting work? Join us and present a poster of your up and coming idea! Abstracts of all kinds will be accepted including written (200 word max. not including title, authors, and affiliations), graphical abstract, video (1 minute max.), or audio file (1 minute max.). Poster boards will accommodate A1 sizes (59.4cm x 84.1cm).
A select few abstracts will be considered for a Bite Size oral presentation. Deadline for consideration was 19 September 2025.
Travel to venue
For seamless travel to Gastronauts Biosphere 2, please plan your arrival at Tucson International Airport (TUS) on October 26th and your departure on October 29th. We will provide scheduled shuttle transportation between the airport and Biosphere 2. Detailed shuttle schedules will be shared with registered participants closer to the event.
Biosphere 2 is located at 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85623, for those wishing to explore alternative travel arrangements. Please note, Tucson airport is a ~1 hour drive ,and the Phoenix airport is a ~2 hour drive.
Symposium agenda
Please find extended agenda here.
Expand for agendaDay I — October 26, arrival
Opening reception and poster session
Day II — October 27
Session ONE: Life at the Epithelium
| Damien Keating Flinders University, Australia | Hormones that orchestrate life |
| Bernice Lo Sidra Medicine, Qatar | Taming the autoimmune fire |
| Rachel K. Zwick New York University, USA | Functional zones of the epithelium |
| Cheryl A. Nickerson Arizona State University, USA | Guts in space! |
Session TWO: The call of hunger
| Lisa R. Beutler Northwestern University, USA | When you brain gets tired of sugar |
| Daniela Oettler TSE Systems, Germany | Building a Biosphere 3 in your lab |
| Leonie Koban Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, France | Conquering cravings |
| Ranier Gutierrez CINVESTAV, Mexico | Hearing the crunch of hunger |
Session THREE: United by diversity
| Efraim Lev Haifa University, Israel | Physicians and pharmacists through history |
| Wataru Yamamoto Columbia University, USA | Understanding evolution through Hydra |
| Steven Boeynaems Baylor College of Medicine, USA | Desiccation biophysics to unify us all |
Day III — October 28
Session FOUR: It’s a visceral world
| Julia Kaltschmidt Stanford University, USA | Networking in the gut |
| Marcin Szczot Linköping University, Sweden | Contact with the gut’s hidden brain |
| Dekel Rosenfeld Tel Aviv University, Israel | Targeted nanotechnology for nerve repair |
| Kristen Smith-Edwards Mayo Clinic, USA | The extrinsic gut connection |
Session FIVE: Surviving in Society
| Katalin M. Gothard University of Arizona, USA | The social appetite |
| Jeff Burnstrom University of Bristol, United Kingdom | Human nutritional intelligence |
| Tod Swanson Arizona State University, USA | Society, religion, and food |
| Monique Smith University of California San Diego, USA | The biology of empathy |
Session SIX: The Drive for Balance
| Misha B. Ahrens Janelia, USA | Imaging gut interoception |
| Elena Gracheva Yale University, USA | Nature’s hibernation code |
| Sung-Yon Kim Seoul National University, South Korea | Circuits to cool and hydrate in the desert |
| Sahib S. Khalsa University of California Los Angeles, USA | Answering the call from your gut |
Day IV — October 29, departure
Organizing committee
We have put together a forward-thinking team. Each member contributes an expansive view and different expertise which is at the heart of Gastronauts.
| Maya Kaelberer Gastronauts Director University of Arizona | Diego V. Bohórquez Gastronauts Curator Duke University |
| Arthur Beyder Mayo Clinic | David Linden Mayo Clinic | Kara Marshall Baylor College |
Sponsors
We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors who are supporting us as we build this community.
