Last Thursday and Friday, over 300 researchers from around the world joined us in Antwerp for the second of edition Recent Insights into Immuno-Oncology. This two-day conference served as a landmark forum for stimulating discussions and interaction among participants, researchers, healthcare professionals, and experts in the rapidly evolving field of immuno-oncology. The attendees were treated to inspiring lectures and the opportunity to forge new connections.

Recent breakthroughs in cancer research often found their roots in immunological findings. The disciplines of cancer biology and immunology seem to be more interwoven than we could have imagined a few decades ago. At VIB, researchers in both disciplines join hands in solving the complex puzzle that is cancer.

As a preview to our #ImmunoOnco24 Conference in Antwerp, we want to highlight some of this research.

On 10-11 December 2024, the Next-Generation Synthetic Biology conference will take place in the picturesque Ghent, Belgium. This edition enables us to explore and delve deeper into the dynamic realm of synthetic biology, addressing the latest trends and applications in this rapidly evolving field.

In anticipation of the upcoming Spatial Omics conference, we had the pleasure of speaking with two experts and organizing committee members. The first is Johan Swinnen, head of the Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer at KU Leuven. The other expert is Evelien Van Hamme, who leads the Spatial Catalyst at VIB. Each, in their own way, is an expert in spatial omics, a technique that is transforming our understanding of biological tissues. ​

Submit your abstract for The Brain Mosaic: Cellular heterogeneity in the CNS before 8 August 2024.

The Fernand Lambein Fund is delighted to announce the first International Lathyrus Day, scheduled for June 3, 2024, in the lively city of Ghent, Belgium. Honoring the legacy of Fernand Lambein, a distinguished researcher in the field of Lathyrus sativus, this event extends a warm invitation to academics and professionals alike, encouraging the convergence of minds to foster connections, share knowledge, and cultivate collaborations across the globe.

Recent advances in the life sciences have given researchers increasingly detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease. One thing, however, is missing: the spatial dimension. Spatial omics seeks to remedy this, and VIB has invested in this suite of technologies since it burst on the scene. But what is spatial omics, and what are the challenges that remain?

Massimiliano (Max) Mazzone is a group leader of the Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis at VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology. He is also professor at the KU Leuven Department of Oncology at the Faculty of Medicine. Karin de Visser is the group leader of the Inflammation and Cancer group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) and Oncode Institute, and a professor at Leiden University. Join us in this double interview, where we discuss their shared passion for immuno-oncology, their research, the upcoming Immuno-Oncology conference, and much more.

Europe is building a quantum ecosystem to leverage the potential of quantum technologies. It is expected that this technology will allow us to do things that are simply not possible today. In this symposium, Jointly organized by VSC and VIB, we will not only introduce the concepts and state-of-the-art of quantum computing but also focus on current applications in the Life Sciences where these new technologies can be used.

On 10-11 October 2024, the BrainMosaic conference will take place in the picturesque Leuven, Belgium. Witness the surge of new techniques and datasets delving deeper into the brain, connecting omics layers with neuronal circuits for a deeper understanding of complex behavior.