Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
PhD students, postdocs, industry scientists and engineers, and founders from academia, biotech or industry, based anywhere, as long as you can attend in London.
When and where is it?
6–8 November 2026 in London, hosted by Pillar VC. The exact address is shared with accepted applicants.
Do I need a team?
No. Apply on your own or as a pre-formed team of 4–5. We match solo applicants into mixed teams of wet-lab, computational and engineering expertise.
Do I need to attend all three days?
Yes. Teams build together from Friday evening to the Sunday demos, so please only apply if you can attend all three days.
Does it cost anything? Are travel costs covered?
It is free to participate, but travel is not covered.
Will there be wet-lab or bench access on site?
There is no requirement to run experiments on site. We provide 3D printers and laser cutters for prototyping, and solutions can be hardware or theoretical.
What hardware and tools will be available?
3D printers and laser cutters. Further tools and datasets will be listed per challenge.
Who owns the IP for what we build?
Teams own what they build.
Is food provided? Can you cater for dietary needs?
Yes — all meals are provided. Tell us your dietary requirements on the application form.
Is the venue accessible?
Email research@immunos.bio for details and we will make adjustments accordingly.
What can we win?
The overall winner receives the Litmus Science Validation Prize: a funded, head-to-head experiment against the comparable gold standard validation experiment in a real lab. Additional prizes, including cash and validation resources, are open to all teams across the three challenges.
Will there be photography / filming?
Yes. We will photograph and film parts of the event for ImmunOS and partner channels. Let the team know on arrival if you would prefer not to appear.
Who do I contact with questions?
Anything else? Email research@immunos.bio.
Assay-A-Thon · London · 6–8 November 2026
By attending, you agree that you may appear in event photography and video. Tell us on arrival if you would prefer not to.