Health Innovation

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026

UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026

We are pleased to announce that the next Molecular Biology ad Cytometry Course (MB&C) will be organised 5 & 6 February 2026 at the UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg.

The course is intended for all who work with molecular diagnostics, (flow)cytometry or microscopy techniques in a clinical laboratory. The training will review the actual techniques and illustrate their use in daily practice. We will focus both on the technical aspects and the clinical and scientific basis they relate to.

Praktische info

We will mainly use the English language. Workshops (small groups of max. 25 persons) will be highly interactive, either in English or Dutch dependent on the participants.

Registration will be open from 5 December 2025 until 31 January 2026.
Registration for each workshop will be limited to a specific number of participants. If a workshop is full, you will not be able to choose it in the registration form.
Only register for a workshop if you actually participate (i.e. not as a speaker).

The invoice will be sent after the course has started. No advance payment is required.

Where to stay

If you would like to stay overnight in Leuven, you can do so at the following hotels near the train station, among others:

Hotel Milles Colonnes:
Single or double room: €70/€110 per room, per night including breakfast.
You can book directly at this reduced rate quoting referene CONFER-UCLL 5/6 FEB during booking.

Martin's Klooster:
Offers a 10% discount on your stay using promo code MBC2026 during booking.
This promo code is only valid when booking via the website: www.martinshotels.com.

Datum en tijd

donderdag 05 februari 2026
09:30 ⇾ 23:00

vrijdag 06 februari 2026
09:00 ⇾ 17:30

Einde inschrijvingen: donderdag 29 januari 2026 (23:59)
Annulatie mogelijk tot: donderdag 29 januari 2026 (23:59)

Programma

donderdag 05 februari 2026

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 plenary & parallel sessions

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 plenary & parallel sessions

9:30-9:45 Welcome
9.45-10.15 Technical developments within NGS Ben Caljon (UZ Brussel)
10.15-10.45 Technical developments within high sensitivity flow cytometry and Multiparameter flowcytometry Gert Van Isterdael, Katrien Van der Borght (VIB-UGent)
10:45-11:15 Technical development within digital cell morphology Hofmans Mattias (UZ Gent)
11:15-11:45 Coffee break
Parallel session Molecular biology Chair: Elke Boone
- 11:45-12:15 Long read sequencing Wouter Bossuyt (UZ Leuven)
- 12:15-12.45 Copy number and methylation profiling of circulating cell free DNA for minimally invasive classification of high-grade lymphoma Malaika Van der Linden,Luca Visser (Ugent)
Parallel session Flow cytometry Chair: Malicorne Buysse

11:45-12:15 Modulation of monocyte phenotype in inflammation and sepsis André Gothot (CHU Liège)
12:15-12.45 Flowcytometry: assay modification and ad hoc antibody modification – recommendations and safeguards Eleni Linskens (UZ Brussel)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 WORKSHOPS SESSION-1

DAY1 WORKSHOP 1.1 Validation of flowcytometry tests - Malicorne Buysse (UZ Gent) - Flow/basic (14:00 - 15:15)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 7

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 1.2 Nanopore sequencing - Jozef Dingemans (Jessa, Hasselt) - Molec/Basic (14:00 - 15:15)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 17

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 1.3 IGH somatic hypermutation analysis - Sabine Franke (CHU Liège) - Molec/Advanced (14:00 - 15:15)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 23

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 1.4 Molecular MRD applications in hemato-oncology - Marleen Bakkus, Jona Van der Straeten en Emma Kabongo Kanjinga (UZ Brussel) - Molec/Advanced (14:00 - 15:15)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 19

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 1.5 From Variant to Visualization: Mutation Detection Meets Flow Cytometry with superRCA® technology - Sara Bodbin (Rarity Bioscience AB/Analis) - Molec/Flow/Advanced (14:00 - 15:15)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 19

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 WORKSHOPS SESSION-2

DAY1 WORKSHOP 2.1 Automation in and by flowcytometry:User experiences - Jonathan Vanbesien (AZ Delta Roeselare), Nicolas Istaces (CHIREC, Brussels) - Flow/Basic (15:45 - 17:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 11

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 2.2 Transfer of flow cytometric panels from conventional towards spectral devices - Julie Darrigues (KU Leuven) - Flow/Advanced (15:45 - 17:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 15

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 2.3 Massive Parallel Sequencing - Friedel Nollet (AZ Brugge) - Molec/Basic (15:45 - 17:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 16

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 2.4 Interpretation of clonality analyses (IG & TCR) - Elke Boone (AZ Delta Roeselare) - Molec/Advanced (15:45 - 17:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 24

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 WORKSHOP 2.5 - People management in lab environment - Jeremie Gras (IPG, Gosselies) - General/Advanced (15:45 - 17:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 15

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 plenary session

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY1 plenary session

Plenary Session Chair: Barbara Dewaele

17:05-17:35 Artificial intelligence in the diagnostic laboratory workflow: from innovation to regulation Glynis Frans (UZ Leuven)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY1 Network event - Walking dinner

DAY1 Network event - Walking dinner

Prijs

Betalende deelnemer non-profit sector 1dag: 165,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer non-profit sector 2dagen: 245,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer profit sector 1dag: 245,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer profit sector 2dagen: 345,00 EUR

Deelnemer sponsor: 45,00 EUR

Samenwerkingsafspraak (Spreker/Lesgever/Organisatie): 0,00 EUR

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

vrijdag 06 februari 2026

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 plenary session

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 plenary session

Plenary Session Chair: Barbara Depreter

9:00-9:35 Clonal Precursors with Clinical Consequences: MGUS, MBL, CHIP & TCUS in Perspective Nancy Boeckx (UZ Leuven) Karl Vandepoele (UZ Gent)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 WORKSHOPS SESSION-3

DAY2 WORKSHOP 3.1 Multicolor panel design: tips & tricks - Gert Van Isterdael, Katrien Van der Borght (VIB-UGent) - Flow/Basic (09:45 - 11:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 18

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 3.2 MRD applications in hemato-oncology: ELN guidelines - Barbara Depreter (AZ Delta Roeselare) - Molec/Flow/Advanced (09:45 - 11:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 17

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 3.3 Bioinformatics made easy: hands-on sequencing analyse met Galaxy (please bring your own device) - Paco Hulpiau/Mathias Verbeke (Howest Brugge) - Molec/Advanced (09:45 - 11:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 26

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 3.4 A CHIP or not a CHIP: interpretation of low VAF variants in blood or bone marrow - Elke Boone (AZ Delta Roeselare) - Molec/Basic (09:45 - 11:00)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 24

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 WORKSHOPS SESSION-4

DAY2 WORKSHOP 4.1 Blood and bone marrow differentiation by flowcytometry- Barbara Depreter (AZ Delta Roeselare) - Flow/Basic (11:30 - 12:45)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 16

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 4.2 How to: cytometry data preprocessing and quality control- Sarah Bonte (VIB-UGent) - Flow/Advanced (11:30 - 12:45)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 18

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 4.3 Bionano for dummies - Barbara Dewaele (UZ Leuven) - Molec/Basic (11:30 - 12:45)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 22

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 4.4 Methylation analysis - Siebe Loontiens (UZ Gent) - Molec/Advanced (11:30 - 12:45)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 21

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 WORKSHOP 4.5 Risk analysis: practical examples - Jeremie Gras (IPG, Gosselies), Evelien Heylen (ZAS, Antwerpen) - Molec/Flow/Advanced (11:30 - 12:45)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 15

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 plenary & parallel sessions

Molecular Biology and Cytometry Course 2026 DAY2 plenary & parallel sessions

Plenary Session Chair: Katrien Vermeulen
- 13:45-14:00 University colleges presenting research projects Research Centre for Preventive Health Innovation Tom Peeters (EhB, Brussel)
EQA testing in Belgium:
- 14:00-14:30 Molecular Diagnostic Testing Joséphine Lantoine (Sciensano, Brussel)
14:30-15:00 Flow cytometry Andre Gothot (CHU Liège)
15:00-15:30 Coffee break
Parallel session Clinical Chair: Katrien Vermeulen
- 15:30-16.00 Understanding ocular lymphoma: challenging diagnosis. Kathleen Deiteren (UZA, Antwerpen)
- 16:00-16.30 Implementation of Optical Genome Mapping into diagnostic workflows Marian Stevens-Kroef (Radboud MC, Nijmegen)
Parallel session Research Chair: Elke Boone

15:30-16.00 Single-cell and epigenetic profiling alongside next generation flow techniques: Towards better understanding and classification of CVID Tine D'hamers (Ugent)
16:00-16.30 Tumor characterization and disease follow-up in Multiple Myeloma by (epi) genetic profling using liquid biopsies. Robbe Heestermans (UZ Brussel)

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

DAY2 Farewell drink

DAY2 Farewell drink

Beschikbare plaatsen: 102

Locatie:
UCLL Campus Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49 - 3000 Leuven

https://www.ucll.be/nl/campussen/campus-gasthuisberg#paragraph-toc-navigation--14240 - https://www.ucll.be/sites/default/files/documents/gezondheid/plattegrond_site_gasthuisberg.pdf

Prijs

Betalende deelnemer non-profit sector 1dag: 120,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer non-profit sector 2dagen: 200,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer profit sector 1dag: 200,00 EUR

Betalende deelnemer profit sector 2dagen: 300,00 EUR

Deelnemer sponsor: 0,00 EUR

Samenwerkingsafspraak (Spreker/Lesgever/Organisatie): 0,00 EUR

Organisator

Marie-Rose Rouffa

navormingen@ucll.be