Speakers

“The rapid evolution of technology presents modern life sciences institutes with both opportunities and challenges. To stay competitive and relevant, anno 2024 core facilities must not only provide essential research services but also adapt to and integrate cutting-edge advancements. At VIB, we explore how a collaborative approach between technology experts, researchers, and core facilities is essential to maintaining the balance between service provision and innovation. We emphasize the role of a dedicated technology scouting systems, i.e. VIB’s “Tech Watch” initiative, in proactively identifying and de-risking novel platforms before their full adoption. Also, we complement the “”traditional”” core facility model, where new tech platforms are first tested within a research lab and then transitioned to a core for broader implementation and service delivery, by the more agile “”reverted”” approach. The latter format, which incentivizes early technology adoption through collaboration between principal investigators (PIs) and core facilities, allows for faster validation and dissemination of new methods. This collaboration-based model creates co-involvement of the researchers and cores in each others mission and shared responsibility for driving science and technology forward.
By fostering such a techno-scientific ecosystem that spans biology, technology, translational science, and data science, research institutions can more effectively bridge disciplinary gaps, maximize innovation, and support impactful research. Looking ahead, this paradigm shift is key to preparing future scientists for the interdisciplinary demands of modern life sciences.”