Hackathon IA - Agent LLM et MCP

As part of its strategic focus on artificial intelligence and the Mudis4LS project, IFB/ELIXIR-FR is organising an AI hackathon from 18 to 20 November 2026, hosted by PRABI-AMSB on the Lyon 1 La Doua University campus (Villeurbanne). For this event, we ask that you pre-register by Tuesday 29 September. You will receive confirmation of your registration after this date.

This event, spread over four half-days, aims to provide an overview of artificial intelligence technologies applicable to biology and healthcare, with a particular focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) and related technologies, and to teach participants how to use them via the ALBERT (DINUM) API. The hacking sessions will focus specifically on the practical application of Large Language Models (LLMs) through Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agentic mode and the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

1. General introduction to concepts and trends (first half-day)

• Home
• Introduction to Global AI
• Agents, Tool Calling, MCP and Harness: concepts, trends, an overview of the ecosystem
• AI initiatives at the IFB: an overview of the various ongoing AI/IFB projects
• A brief overview of the hacking projects

This first morning session will take place in a hybrid format.

2. Hacking sessions (2nd and 3rd half-days)

• Technical introduction:
  • Set-up
  • Step-by-step tutorial:
    • Implementation of Ollama / ALBERT API / IFB AI technologies
    • Creating a basic MCP with FastMCP
    • Tool calling and AI agents via the OpenAI package
  • End-of-day summary

3. End of the hackathon and debrief (4th half-day)

• Finalisation of the developments and drafting of the report by each team
• Team presentations of results (demonstration + feedback)
• Overall assessment, conclusion, acknowledgements

When? From 2.00 pm on Wednesday 18 to 12.00 pm on Friday 20 November 2026 (4 half-days).

Where? At the Lyon 1 University La Doua campus (Villeurbanne).

Who is it for? Researchers and engineers from IFB/ELIXIR-FR (IFB-core, ELIXIR-FR, member platforms, contributors and associated teams) with an interest in or involvement with AI and its applications in biology.

Participation fees: For this event, IFB/ELIXIR-FR will cover the cost of coffee breaks and lunch on 19 November, as well as travel expenses for speakers and IFB-core participants.

If you are interested but are not sure whether you will be able to pre-register by Friday 2 October, please let us know via the contact form on the IFB website.

Do you have any questions? Please contact us.