Lab universe
Line-up
Forget passive presentations. Laborama 360 brings you stages alive with debates, experiments, and hands-on insights. No matter your field, each session gives you fresh perspectives, interactive discussions, and inspiration to drive your lab work forward.
scientific sessions
Each Scientific Session is a chance to discover new research, advanced methods, and practical strategies. Designed for curious minds, these keynotes give you the evidence, insights, and inspiration to make an impact in your lab.
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Social sessions
Challenge your perspective. In the Social Sessions, exceptional thinkers tackle topics that might seem distant from laboratory work. Until you see the connections. Expect debates, insights, and stories that inspire, provoke, and ultimately enrich the way you innovate in your lab.
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Scientific sessions - Life science
Standardising quantification and susceptibility testing of phages for the fight against antibiotic resistance in the lab of the future
In his keynote, Stefan Vermeulen presents PMD4U, a next-generation microfluidic platform developed at HOGent to address the growing need for reliable bacteriophage testing in a One Health context. As interest in phage applications accelerates across food safety, agriculture, and alternatives to antibiotics, PMD4U overcomes the limits of classical, labor-intensive assays by combining automated hardware with proprietary software for rapid and highly precise phage quantification and susceptibility testing. Recently validated with international industrial and research partners, the technology bridges scientific depth and real-world applicability, a promise that is further underlined by the fact that HOGent was awarded the Booth of the Future at this edition of Laborama 360.
Dr. Stefan Vermeulen
HOGENT Departement Health care
10:00
–
10:30
19.03.2026
Science room
Precision oncology: navigating the road from discovery to patient impact
Personalized medicine promises to revolutionize cancer treatment by tailoring interventions to individual patient profiles. Yet, the journey from groundbreaking research to patient impact is complex, requiring collaboration across academia, industry, and healthcare. This talk explores how oncology innovations – spanning targeted therapies, biomarkers & diagnostics, and enabling technologies – are translated into tangible solutions. We will discuss strategies for overcoming translational bottlenecks and VIB’s approach to translating the discoveries made in our research laboratories into solutions that improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Phd Jiska van der Reest
VIB
- Business Development Catalyst Manager
10:30
–
11:00
19.03.2026
Science room
Past, present and future of melanoma research and treatment
Melanoma exemplifies the significant advancements in cancer treatment driven by basic and translational research, particularly over the last decade. New therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted treatments for the BRAFV600E mutation, have dramatically improved survival rates for advanced melanoma patients, with a 5-year survival rate rising from around 10% to 52% for those receiving combination therapy. Despite these successes, current treatments are not curative for a majority of patients, especially in genetically diverse cases such as those without BRAF mutations or rare melanoma subtypes. Challenges include both primary and acquired resistance to therapies. Our research group focuses on understanding and targeting the mechanisms behind this resistance through a comprehensive approach that integrates clinical trials, advanced profiling technologies, mouse modeling, and innovative treatment testing, aiming to translate our findings directly into patient care.
Prof. Jean-Christophe (Chris) Marine
KUL – VIB Center for Cancer Biology
- Full Professor , Department of Oncology, KUL - Director , VIB KUL Center of Cancer Biology
11:00
–
11:30
19.03.2026
Science room
Tumor-associated macrophages as novel targets for cancer therapy
For decades, cancer therapies have been focused on targeting cancer cells. By now, it is clear that both stromal and immune compartments of the tumor are important contributors to tumor progression and dissemination and constitute novel therapeutic targets. In this respect, macrophages are often amongst the most abundant immune cells within tumors, for which both pro- and anti-tumoral functions have been reported. Our work focuses on identifying the heterogeneity of these tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), on finding novel molecular targets for therapy and on assessing nanobody-mediated TAM targeting as monotherapy or in combination with existing therapies.
Prof. Dr. ir. Jo Van Ginderachter
VUB
- Heading the Cellular and Molecular Immunology Lab as tenured full professor at VUB and group leader of the excellence-based research institute VIB.
11:30
–
12:00
19.03.2026
Science room
Combining RNA technology and cell therapy for next-generation cancer treatments
Today’s cancer immunotherapy involves mostly of “checkpoint inhibitors”. Despite their widespread use, these are limited in their efficacy when applied in so-called “immune cold” tumors which are poorly infiltrated by immune cells.
The conversion of “cold” into “hot” tumors, rich in tumor-specific killer T-lymphocytes, is currently the holy grail of immuno-oncology.
At Ghent University Hospital, we are tackling this challenge by developing next-generation cancer vaccines.
Specifically we are leveraging the power of dendritic cells, the top commanders of the immune system, to induce strong tumor-directed T-cell responses.
We have developed a proprietary method to generate highly immunostimulatory dendritic cells from patient blood in an accelerated, high-yield way, making maximal use of a closed cell manipulation workflow, and with minimal operator intervention. This method hits the sweet spot beween production yield, low production cost, low batch failure rate and regulatory compliance, while guaranteeing consistently high biological activity of the product.
Prof. Dr. Karim Vermaelen
UZ Gent
- Pulmonologist-oncologist at UZ Gent and professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University
12:00
–
12:30
19.03.2026
Science room
Advancing the boundaries of real-time live cell analysis
Conventional cell-based assays play a central role in drug discovery and biomedical research, but often rely on endpoint readouts, cell labeling, or extrapolated kinetic data. The use of invasive dyes and markers can alter cell physiology, introduce artifacts, and limit assay reproducibility.
This presentation focuses on real-time, label-free cell analysis using electrical impedance measurements. With the xCELLigence RTCA system, cells are cultured on microelectrode-integrated plates, where changes in impedance are continuously converted into a quantitative Cell Index reflecting cell attachment, morphology, proliferation, and viability. Applications including proliferation kinetics, time-resolved cytotoxicity profiling, and invasion assays will be discussed, illustrating how impedance-based monitoring provides higher temporal resolution and improved physiological relevance compared to conventional endpoint assays.
PhD Gaia Cangiotti
BioSPX
- Biomedical scientist Phd / Senior Product Specialist
13:30
–
14:00
19.03.2026
Science room
Unmasking pandemics: lessons from COVID-19 and the road ahead
Pandemics are not fully predictable, yet their occurrence is no surprise. As global mobility, wildlife trade, agriculture, urbanisation and climate change intensify, the risk of pathogens crossing from animals to humans steadily increases. COVID-19 tested science, politics and society on a global scale, exposing weaknesses but also demonstrating the impact of rapid vaccines, surveillance networks and international collaboration.
This talk will explore how pandemics emerge, what ecological and societal drivers enabled SARS-CoV-2 to spill over into humans, and what we have learned from the COVID-19 crisis in terms of public health preparedness, One Health policies, scientific communication and vaccine innovation.
Prof. Dr. Steven Van Gucht
Sciensano
- Scientific Director – Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano
14:00
–
14:30
19.03.2026
Science room
Progress of immunotherapy for solid tumors, illustrated by melanoma and glioblastoma
Over the past decade, immunotherapy through immune checkpoint inhibition targeting the PD-(L)1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3 receptors has significantly improved the treatment of both solid and hematological tumors. Melanoma, a solid tumor for which no life-prolonging therapy had previously been available, was the first malignancy in which this new form of immunotherapy demonstrated a clear survival benefit. Since then, it has become evident that these treatments also provide substantial added value for other tumor types, such as lung, kidney, and bladder cancer.
An example of a malignancy that has so far proven resistant to immune checkpoint therapy is glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal form of brain tumor. The research group of Prof. Bart Neyns (UZ Brussels and VUB) has played a pioneering role in studying the effectiveness of immunotherapy in melanoma and has translated this expertise into innovative treatment strategies in clinical studies for glioblastoma.
Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns
UZ Brussel
- Diensthoofd Medische Oncologie, UZ Brussel
Klinisch Professor Faculteit Geneeskunde, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
14:30
–
15:00
19.03.2026
Science room
Navigating the Molecular Landscape of Health and Disease
The central dogma of biology describes how the genetic information of a cell (DNA) is transferred via RNA into actionable biochemical responses (proteins). Next to these “main” levels, additional layers (metabolites, lipids, etc.) play equally crucial roles. Contrary to the dogma, the relationship between the different layers is anything but linear. For instance, several studies showed discordances for most transcripts-protein pairs suggesting that mRNA levels are not always a good predictor of the respective protein abundance. At the base of this are additional ways of regulation through for instance posttranslational modifications of proteins, epigenetic changes, alternative splicing of DNA, etc. This also implies that, to understand the molecular mechanisms of a specific disease with the aim to enable or improve treatment strategies, requires an integrated approach using multiple (if not all) levels of the central dogma.
Prof. Dr. Bart Ghesquiere
KUL
- Head of Metabolomics Expertise Center
15:00
–
15:30
19.03.2026
Science room
Scientific sessions - Food
Hygiene measured smartly: inspiring examples from the food industry
Environmental sampling with biochemical and microbiological analyses is essential for evaluating the proper implementation of cleaning and disinfection and evaluating hygiene. Furthermore, environmental sampling during production is also crucial for providing food companies insight into the contamination burden of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella on their final products.
During this presentation practical examples of biochemical and microbiological monitoring used by the food industry for hygiene monitoring will be discussed. Examples for detecting persistent contaminations and biofilm risks are explained. Practical guidelines for environmental sampling and concrete examples of sampling plans, results, pathogen mapping, corrective actions, and trend monitoring are discussed in detail.
Dr. ir. Koen De Reu
ILVO -research institute for agricultural, fisheries and food
- Senior researcher, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
10:30
–
11:00
20.03.2026
Science room
Automated sample preparation and analysis of mycotoxins in food
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that can contaminate food and feed before harvest or during storage, posing serious risks to food safety, public health, and agricultural economics. Reliable analysis of complex matrices is therefore essential, driving demand for analytical workflows that balance sensitivity, speed, cost, and robustness.
This presentation outlines liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry–based strategies for mycotoxin analysis, ranging from targeted methods to multi-mycotoxin workflows. Particular attention is given to alternative and automated sample preparation approaches that improve analytical efficiency, shorten time-to-result, reduce operational costs, and limit human error in routine quality control and regulatory settings.
PhD Gerd Vanhoenacker
RIC
- Senior Scientist Applications LC
11:00
–
11:30
20.03.2026
Science room
Analytical tools for food safety
Analytical chemistry plays a key role in ensuring food safety, from routine compliance testing to assessing emerging risks and detecting food fraud. Changing diets and better process knowledge introduce new challenges. For example, higher consumption of lupines, a legume historically grown mainly in the Mediterranean, brings the risk of toxic alkaloids. Contaminants such as 3-MCPD and glycidol also raise concerns for infants and young children, though risk assessment shows most foods pose minimal threat. Food fraud, such as diluting apricot juice with cheaper peach juice or substituting soil-grown Belgian endive with hydroponic varieties, can be detected with modern analytical tools like LC-HRMS. These methods help ensure both consumer protection and integrity in the food supply chain.
PhD Bram Miserez
Primoris Belgium
- Research Manager
11:30
–
12:00
20.03.2026
Science room
How additive manufacturing accelerates local production
How can manufacturing move faster, closer and more efficiently to where products are actually needed? In his keynote, Kevin Sel addresses how additive manufacturing accelerates local production by rethinking the entire journey from design to final product. Drawing on applied research and concrete use cases, he shows how 3D printing shortens lead times, supports digital workflows and enables flexible, locally anchored manufacturing. This keynote offers practical insights into how additive manufacturing is shaping the future of production.
Kevin Sel
Thomas More - University of Applied Sciences
- Research & Innovation Coordinator
12:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Science room
Understanding the flavour of food products and ingredients with Sensory Analytics Statistics (SAS) approach
Food producers want to measure parameters that influence the sensory quality and flavour of their food products (e.g. product formulation, processing, shelf life, packaging, …). Nowadays, intrinsic flavour properties like odour/aroma, taste on the tongue and mouthfeel/texture are still measured in-company with human sensory expert panels that are selected and trained for specific food products or categories. On the other hand, consumer panels tell us which food products are preferred and accepted by consumers. Some aspects of sensory quality can be measured with chemical-analytical methods like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) or mass spectrometry-based electronic nose technology (MS-nose) and other analytical techniques. In this lecture our Sensory Analytics Statistics (SAS) approach will be presented, correlating sensory data with analytical data to better understand the flavour of food products and to measure flavour-influencing factors
PhD Inge Dirinck
SENSTECH & Flanders' FOOD
- Technology Advisor / R&D Manager
13:30
–
14:00
20.03.2026
Science room
Opportunities and challenges in sustainable food packaging
The transition to more sustainable food packaging is well underway. The focus is mainly on developing new packaging compositions that are more easily recyclable or reusable. At the same time, sorting technologies and recycling systems are evolving rapidly. However, it is essential that these innovations do not compromise the primary function of packaging: ensuring the required shelf life and product safety. This lecture addresses the challenges and opportunities within this transition, illustrated with results from various innovation projects.
Prof. Dr. ir. Peter Ragaert
UGent / Pack4Food
- Director at Pack4Food & Professore Food Packaging technology at Ghent University
14:00
–
14:30
20.03.2026
Science room
Cocoa and chocolate analysis, from bean to praline
Cocoa and chocolate are complex food matrices, with product quality shaped by the characteristics of raw materials and each stage of processing from bean to praline. This talk will explore how quality evolves throughout cocoa processing, chocolate production, and related applications, highlighting analytical techniques such as microscopy, DSC, rheology, and more.
Claudia Delbaere
Cacaolab bv
- General Manager
14:30
–
15:00
20.03.2026
Science room
Social sessions - Debat
Debate participant
During the debate, Laurens will seek out the intersections between scientific practice and broader societal perspectives. By engaging with speakers from different backgrounds, he helps translate abstract ideas into reflections that are relevant for professionals active in and around the laboratory environment.
Dr. Laurens Liesenborghs
ITG - KUL
- Assistent Prof. Onderzoeksgroep, Antiviraal & Vaccinatieonderzoek
11:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Debate participant
As a debate participant, Toon Verlinden focuses on how complex knowledge is shared and perceived. By questioning how stories are told and understood, he invites both speakers and audience to rethink the way expertise is communicated in science driven environments.
Toon Verlinden
The Floor is yours / Author "Code Rood" & Nerdland organizer
11:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Ethics and entrepreneurship
Rik Torfs will take part in the debate at Laborama 360. As professor emeritus of canon law and former rector of KU Leuven, he combines deep academic expertise with broad societal engagement. Known to the wider public as a sharp columnist, author, and media personality, Torfs is valued for his independent thinking, critical nuance, and subtle sense of humor. His contribution to the debate brings reflection, context, and intellectual provocation, encouraging participants to look beyond established frameworks and question prevailing assumptions.
Prof. Dr. Rik Torfs
Church legal expert & thought leader
11:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Dare to act
Marlies Dekkers will join the debate at Laborama 360, bringing a distinctive perspective on innovation, creativity, and leadership. As an internationally acclaimed designer and entrepreneur, she is known for challenging conventions and placing confidence and identity at the core of her work, guided by her motto 'Dare to act'. Beyond fashion, she is active as a public thinker and co-host of De Nieuwe Wereld, where she engages with scientists and entrepreneurs on societal change. Her contribution adds a reflective, human dimension to the debate, linking creativity with innovation and progress.
Marlies Dekkers
Entrepreneur & innovator
11:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Societal dynamics and human behaviour
Mattias Desmet will also join the debate at Laborama 360. As professor of clinical psychology at Ghent University, with a background in both psychology and statistics, he is known for his work in psychoanalysis and for his research into the effect of speaking on mental and physical well-being. Desmet regularly reflects on themes such as subjectivity, objectivity, and the societal impact of dominant narratives. Having previously appeared alongside Marlies Dekkers on the podcast De Nieuwe Wereld, their encounter now continues on stage. Given his outspoken and critical perspectives, this exchange promises a lively, interactive debate that invites the audience to think deeper and challenge assumptions.
Prof. Dr. Mattias Desmet
Prof. Clinical Psychology UGent - Author of The Psychology of Totalitarianism
11:00
–
12:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Social sessions - Keynotes
Go home. Your cells are in good hands.
Cells don’t forgive rough handling, rushed workflows or inconsistent processes. Yet many labs still rely on manual steps or automation that prioritizes speed over care.
With Spark® Motion, Tecan brings gentle, controlled automation to cell-based applications.
Join this session to see how smooth motion, intelligent orchestration and flexible automation protect cell health, while your lab keeps running, even when you’re not there.
Elisa Imbrechts
Tecan
- Pre-Sales Applications Specialist Detection
10:00
–
10:30
19.03.2026
Social room
Automated end-to-end QC Samples Management, from the Manufacturing Plant to the QC Lab
Pharma&Biotech QC Samples Management, covering both Product and Environmental Monitoring Samples, is a critical aspect of any GMP Manufacturing Operation. Being a human work intensive process, it typically suffers of the well-known human-in-classified-area issues linked to the repetitive & boring work leading to mistakes or to the contamination risks and wasted time due to cross-zoning. Not speaking of the Manufacturing to QC Lab logistics aspects. This Use Case is typically one where a fully automated, end-to-end solution that is built with existing, validated Mobile Robotics, Smart Analytical Instruments and Automated Storage technologies, is a real game changer, thus fully addressing the recommendations of GMP Annex 1. This streamlining of the QC Samples workflow, under the control of the existing Operational Infrastructure (LIMS, MES, …), ensures a 24/7, fully automated and digitized operation of the QC Samples Management throughout the Manufacturing Cleanrooms, the Building or even the Campus, to the QC Laboratory.
Alain Farine
JAG
- Business Development Manager
10:30
–
11:00
19.03.2026
Social room
How to improve your LinkedIn profile
Simon Deré will guide you through practical tips and strategies to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Learn how to highlight your skills, showcase your achievements, and make meaningful connections that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Whether you are entering the job market or looking to grow your professional network, Simon’s insights will help you get noticed by the right people.
Simon Deré
Sales Tree
11:00
–
11:30
19.03.2026
Social room
Nestor automation system: Less Time on Cell Culture Routine. More Time on Science.
The Nestor cell culture automation system was born from the frustration of its inventor, Julien Maruotti, who saw his team spending too much time on routine cell culture and not enough on R&D. From that frustration came a simple idea, automate the repetitive work that does not create scientific value. Nestor automates routine R&D cell culture for flasks, well plates, Erlenmeyer flasks and Petri dishes, covering stem cells, primary cells and organoids, and freeing up precious time for what truly matters, science. Weekend shifts at the lab become a thing of the past. Nestor is uniquely affordable, easy to use with just 20 minutes needed to set it up and get it running, compact enough to fit on an A3 sheet, and designed for the flexibility R&D labs actually need. Built by a scientist for scientists. Innovation you can actually use. No engineer required.
Marc Barsoum
Cellaven
- Chief Revenue Officer & Cofounder
11:30
–
12:00
19.03.2026
Social room
Nitrogen ICP-OES vs Argon ICP-OES: advantages and disadvantages of both types of plasma
Inductively Coupled Nitrogen Plasma is now available for both ICP-OES as well as ICP-MS
This talk will give a brief overview of advantages and disadvantages of both types of plasma.
Matrix-effects, sensitivity, maintenance and operating aspects are discussed.
Bert van der Hoeff
Aemas
- Product specialist
12:00
–
12:30
19.03.2026
Social room
The value of standards for your organisation
Standards are more than technical documents, they are strategic tools that strengthen your organisation. In this keynote, discover how standards support laboratories and suppliers in achieving conformity, quality, reliability, safety,... We will introduce NBN’s role and mission, clarify what standards are and how they function, and highlight our trainings on ISO/IEC 17025. Learn how standards create measurable value for your organisation and how to access them efficiently through the NBN platform.
Yens Van Overloop
NBN
- Project Manager Training & Education
12:30
–
13:00
19.03.2026
Social room
Digital Pathology Whole Slide Image (WSI) Quality: possible workflows and impact on Clinical AI Performance
Digital pathology is rapidly reshaping both research and clinical diagnostics, moving the field from traditional light microscopy toward fully data-driven workflows. At the heart of this transformation lies image quality. Unlike glass slides, digital scans are static: any artifact introduced during scanning becomes a permanent part of the dataset. As a result, achieving right-first-time image quality is not optional, but foundational for reliable diagnosis and AI-driven analysis.
This presentation focuses on why image quality is a critical prerequisite for both pathologists and computational pathology. It examines common scanning artifacts, current quality monitoring practices in pathology labs, and the measurable impact of suboptimal images on diagnostic accuracy and clinical AI performance. By highlighting the risks of poor-quality data and the need for robust pre-diagnostic quality control, the session offers a clear framework for ensuring clinical-grade reliability in digital pathology workflows.
PhD Tom Kimpe
Barco NV
- VP Technology & Innovation
13:00
–
13:30
19.03.2026
Social room
From beer to bras: the invisible lab technologies behind everyday quality
What do a Heineken beer, a piece of chocolate, and a Marie Jo bra have in common?
Chances are, they were all validated, tested, or optimised using laboratory technologies you’ll find at Laborama 360 and at the Analis booth.
In this fast-paced 20-minute session, Analis’ Chief Sales & Marketing Officer takes you on a surprising journey through real-life quality control, R&D, and production challenges across food, life sciences, materials, and consumer goods; revealing how modern labs quietly safeguard products we all use every day.
Lobke Tremmerie
Analis
- Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
13:30
–
14:00
19.03.2026
Social room
How to improve your LinkedIn profile
Simon Deré will guide you through practical tips and strategies to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Learn how to highlight your skills, showcase your achievements, and make meaningful connections that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Whether you are entering the job market or looking to grow your professional network, Simon’s insights will help you get noticed by the right people.
Simon Deré
Sales Tree
14:00
–
14:30
19.03.2026
Social room
Incucyte® CX3 live-cell analysis system: clarity from complexity
The Incucyte® CX3 Live-Cell Analysis System empowers every scientist to study complex 3D cell models over time. Key to this capability is the new confocal imaging that produces clear images of organoids and spheroids. With exceptional flexibility, the CX3 supports simultaneous 2D and 3D assays, leverage fluorescence-based and label-free assays to continuously monitor morphology, growth, and phenotypic changes, gaining physiologically relevant data without disrupting cultures.
PhD Pierre Romanus
Sartorius / Incucyte/CellCelector - Benelux
- Technical Sales Specialist
14:30
–
15:00
19.03.2026
Social room
Online HPLC analysis enabled by DirectInject-LC
DirectInject-LC™ transforms HPLC into an online technique for reaction analysis that enables scientists to gain the data required to understand complex processes in near real-time.
DirectInject-LC bridges the gap between offline methods and real-time, in-situ process analytical technologies (PAT), such as ReactIR™, ReactRaman™, and EasyViewer™, by effortlessly sampling a wide range of chemical reactions, with automated sample quench, dilution, and delivery to a chromatography instrument.
Combine DirectInject-LC with world-leading reaction analysis and modeling software to gain near real-time insight into quantitative reaction concentrations and kinetics, crystallization processes, and impurity profiles.
Helene Boiteux
Mettler Toledo
- Senior Market Development Manager, Europe
15:00
–
15:30
19.03.2026
Social room
Effortless Western blot analysis: automated band detection and quantification with Alliance IRIS.
Western blot analysis remains a cornerstone of protein research, yet data analysis is often slowed by manual band detection and post-acquisition processing. These traditional workflows introduce variability and delay the path from image capture to quantitative results. In this presentation, we introduce DeepEye, a patent-pending software technology from UVITEC Cambridge that enables automatic band detection and instant protein quantification. By intelligently identifying lanes and predicting band size and position during image acquisition, DeepEye removes the need for manual intervention and significantly accelerates data analysis while improving reproducibility. We will briefly review conventional Western blot imaging methods before demonstrating how DeepEye, integrated with UVITEC’s IRIS imaging platform, streamlines workflows and allows researchers to move from detection to results faster and with greater confidence.
Sacha Sapsford
Uvitec
- International Sales Manager
15:30
–
16:00
19.03.2026
Social room
How to improve your LinkedIn profile
Simon Deré will guide you through practical tips and strategies to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Learn how to highlight your skills, showcase your achievements, and make meaningful connections that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Whether you are entering the job market or looking to grow your professional network, Simon’s insights will help you get noticed by the right people.
Simon Deré
Sales Tree
10:00
–
10:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Guidance and financial support for your ambitious project
How do ambitious ideas turn into funded, impactful projects? In this keynote, Lore Veelaert, Business Advisor at VLAIO, offers clear guidance on financial support and public funding for innovative initiatives in construction and the circular economy. Through concrete cases, she shows how targeted grants and strategic support can accelerate sustainable projects, strengthen collaboration and turn vision into real-world results.
Lore Veelaert
VLAIO
- Business advisor
10:30
–
11:00
20.03.2026
Social room
Sustainable solutions to improve human living conditions
How to improve the sustainability of the lab by reducing:
- the amount of plastic or using plastic with a smaller CO2-footprint
- the power consumption of -80°C freezers
- the use of 'green cooling liquids'
Daisy Dieltiens
Eppendorf
- Account manager
12:30
–
13:00
20.03.2026
Social room
How to pitch complex information in a captivating way
As a debate participant, Toon Verlinden focuses on how complex knowledge is shared and perceived. By questioning how stories are told and understood, he invites both speakers and audience to rethink the way expertise is communicated in science driven environments.
Toon Verlinden
The Floor is yours / Author "Code Rood" & Nerdland organizer
13:00
–
13:30
20.03.2026
Social room
Fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing: essential in today's volatile world
In an era of uncertainty, strengthening our networks, partnerships, and collective knowledge is vital. We have to cultivate environments where startups and scale-ups can flourish, where universities collaborate seamlessly, and where the easy exchange of knowledge is prioritized. Crucially, this essential work of collaboration must proceed in tandem with a focus on optimization, operational efficiency, and effective load balancing.
Join us to explore concrete use cases, understand our passion, and see why our mission is more vital than ever.
Jannes Van de maele
Toolsquare
- CEO
13:30
–
14:00
20.03.2026
Social room
High-pressure homogenization for controlled particle size reduction and enhanced dispersion
This presentation explores how the Panda Plus high‑pressure homogenizer drives innovation in laboratory‑scale processing by enabling precise control over particle size reduction, superior dispersion performance, and enhanced product stability. Through advanced high‑pressure homogenization technology, Panda Plus supports the development and optimization of complex formulations across a wide range of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and chemical. Attendees will gain insight into the fundamental principles of high‑pressure homogenization, key processing parameters, and practical application examples that demonstrate how the system improves efficiency, scalability, and product quality in modern R&D environments.
Annalisa Malchiodi
GEA
- Product Manager Pharmaceutical in GEA Mechanical Equipment Italy
14:00
–
14:30
20.03.2026
Social room
How to improve your LinkedIn profile
Simon Deré will guide you through practical tips and strategies to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Learn how to highlight your skills, showcase your achievements, and make meaningful connections that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Whether you are entering the job market or looking to grow your professional network, Simon’s insights will help you get noticed by the right people.
Simon Deré
Sales Tree
14:30
–
15:00
20.03.2026
Social room
Cultivate connection
How to improve your LinkedIn profile
Simon Deré will guide you through practical tips and strategies to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. Learn how to highlight your skills, showcase your achievements, and make meaningful connections that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Whether you are entering the job market or looking to grow your professional network, Simon’s insights will help you get noticed by the right people.
Simon Deré
Sales Tree
09:30
–
10:30
19.03.2026
19 + 20 maart - stand I6
Have your professional LinkedIn picture taken
Stephanie Smeets, a professional photographer, will help you create a polished, standout LinkedIn profile photo. Make a lasting first impression with a headshot that reflects your professionalism and personality. This is your chance to ensure your online presence truly represents your potential and ambition in the professional world.
Stephanie Smeets
Photographer
09:30
–
10:30
19.03.2026
19 + 20 maart - stand I6
Jobcafé for job seekers, recruiters and registered companies
The Jobcafé brings PhD candidates together with recruiters and HR-managers that are actively looking for advanced profiles and research-driven talent. It is a focused meeting place where expertise, ambition and opportunity connect through open conversations about careers, collaboration and real-world impact beyond academia.
Jobcafé
Laborama
13:00
–
14:00
20.03.2026
Plazza
Test before you invest
Look out for the stands where the action happens
Do & Discover Points are easy to spot on the floor plan and marked in the aisles with a distinctive balloon. Here, you can experience live demos of equipment and methods that could soon be part of your own lab, giving you a firsthand view of innovation in action.
Do & discover live demos
Laborama
09:30
–
16:30
19.03.2026
Look out for the stands where the action happens
Do & Discover Points are easy to spot on the floor plan and marked in the aisles with a distinctive balloon. Here, you can experience live demos of equipment and methods that could soon be part of your own lab, giving you a firsthand view of innovation in action.
Do & discover live demos
Laborama
09:30
–
16:00
20.03.2026
See tomorrow today
The specialist's stage - Custom laboratory glasswork: where science, skill and artistry meet
Step closer to The Specialist’s Stage and witness glass take shape under Frank Verwimp’s hands. Beyond artistry, each creation is a live exploration of material, method, and scientific insight, revealing the subtle intersections where craftsmanship and experimentation collide.
Frank Verwimp
LRG glastechniek
00:00
–
01:00
19.03.2026
19 + 20 maart - stand H5
Awardshow, recognising a product's technological advancements, relevance to the sector and real-world impact
Innovation needs more than visibility. It needs recognition, context and the right audience. The Innovation Award at Laborama 360 brings all three together, highlighting a breakthrough with the potential to influence the future of laboratories and the professionals behind them.
Don't miss the award ceremony and witness the next chapter of lab innovation unfold.
Innovation award ceremony
Laborama
16:45
–
17:45
19.03.2026
