INAUGURAL SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
Mapping Liver Physiology and Disease Through Single-Cell & Spatial Omics
5 November 2026 • Promotiezaal, KU Leuven • Leuven, Belgium
A Belgian inter-university symposium bringing together researchers across career stages to explore how single-cell and spatial technologies are transforming liver physiology and disease research.
SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS
A programme designed to connect discovery, technology and collaboration
Rather than a traditional conference, this symposium emphasizes discussion, collaboration and hands-on learning. The programme combines keynote lectures, scientific sessions, poster presentations and interactive roundtables to foster exchange between early-career researchers, principal investigators and international experts.
International Lectures
Hear from international scientists whose discoveries are transforming biomedical research and advancing liver biology through single-cell and spatial omics.
Belgian Research Showcase
Explore research from laboratories across Belgium through invited talks and selected presentations spanning basic, translational and clinical science.
Meet the Expert Sessions
Join interactive discussions with leading scientists and explore emerging concepts in computational biology, spatial omics, and liver biology.
Strengthening National Collaboration
Build new collaborations across Belgian universities and research institutes to advance multidisciplinary liver research initiatives.
INVITED SPEAKERS
Researchers advancing single-cell and spatial transcriptomics while transforming our understanding of liver biology, immunity, regeneration, and precision medicine.
Jeffrey Moffitt
Associate Professor of Microbiology
Harvard Medical School
Investigator, Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Boston Children’s Hospital
United States
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Imaging the microbe-host interface with genome-scale microscopy
Research focus
Spatial transcriptomics • MERFISH • Host–microbiome interactions • Single-cell genomics
Prakash Ramachandran
Professor of Experimental Hepatology
Centre for Inflammation Research
The University of Edinburgh
United Kingdom
INVITED SPEAKER
Dissecting Human Liver Fibroinlammation in the Era of Single-cell and Spatial Omics
Research focus
Macrophage biology • liver fibrosis and tissue repair
Jawairia Atif
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cambridge Stem Cell Institute
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
INVITED SPEAKER
Macrophage heterogeneity in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma
Research focus
Single-cell genomics • Spatial transcriptomics • Liver immunology • Human cell atlases
Scientific Programme
08:20
Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
09:15
International Keynote Lecture
10:00
Early-Career Research Highlight
10:15
Coffee Break
10:30
Scientific Session I
11:30
Technology Showcase
12:00
Lunch
12:45
Poster Session
13:30
Scientific Session II
15:00
Coffee Break
15:15
Meet-the-Expert Sessions & Roundtable
16:15
Final Scientific Session
17:15
Closing Remarks & Awards
17:30
Networking Reception
Registration is now open. Places are limited to preserve an interactive format.
Registration fees
Early-career researchers — €50
Master’s students and PhD researchers
Standard registration — €100
Postdoctoral researchers, professors, and other participants
Payment details
Beneficiary: KU Leuven
IBAN: BE09 4320 0000 1157
BIC/SWIFT: KREDBEBB
Structured communication: 400/0029/22365
Please use the structured communication exactly as indicated when making the payment
Sponsors & Partners
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
Organizing Committee
Scientific Committee
KU Leuven
KU Leuven
VIB – Ghent University
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
UCLouvain
Co-organizing Institutions
KU Leuven
Laboratory of Mucosal Biology
Alexandre Denadai-Souza • Matthias van Sligtenhorst
Laboratory of Liver Immunology
Hannelie Korf • Schalk van der Merwe • Jef Verbeek
VIB Center for Inflammation Research – Ghent University
Laboratory of Myeloid Cells in Inflammation and Tissue Damage
Charlotte Scott
Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Biology in Tissue Homeostasis and Regeneration
Martin Guilliams
Ghent University
Gut–Liver ImmunoPharmacology Unit
Lindsey Devisscher
Hepatology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Hans Van Vlierberghe • Anja Geerts • Xavier Verhelst • Sarah Raevens • Sander Lefere
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Liver Biology Research Group
Leo van Grunsven
HEPx – Experimental Liver Pathology, Next Generation Liver Toxicology and Space Pharmaco-toxicology
Mathieu Vinken
UCLouvain
Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Human Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Group, IREC
Peter Stärkel • Yifan Hu
University of Antwerp
Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics
Thomas Vanwolleghem • Arno Furquim d’Almeida
VIB Center for Cancer Biology – KU Leuven
Department of Oncology
George Halder
Venue & Contact
Promotiezaal & Jubileumzaal, KU Leuven
Universiteitshal
Naamsestraat 22
3000 Leuven, Belgium
Contact
Hannelie Korf
Laboratory of Liver Immunology, KU Leuven
Alexandre Denadai-Souza
Laboratory of Mucosal Biology, KU Leuven