By: Hans Risseeuw
On February 13, 2025, the Life Science event took place at FHI. This small-scale event focuses specifically on laboratory technicians. The atrium has been converted into an exhibition floor and the conference rooms transform into practical workshop spaces after the break.
The first half of the day is dedicated to three lectures. Leading names from industry and the scientific world dive straight into the depths, with minimal introduction. Some prior knowledge is required here.
The first speaker is Rob Coppes from UMC Groningen. He will give a lecture entitled “Salvary gland organoids to treat radiotherapy – induced xerostomia”. Rob will give an insight into the as yet unpublished results of his research to develop a stem cell therapy to treat radiation-induced hyposalivation.
In December 2022, the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) performed a unique treatment. For the first time, a patient was treated with salivary gland organoid cells, grown from his own stem cells. This therapy is the result of more than twenty years of research led by Rob Coppes, professor of Radiotherapy at the UMCG.
Wendy Debets, branch manager Laboratory Technology, takes over from Rob and before she has finished speaking, the hands in the room shoot up in the air. Rob patiently answers the substantive questions, after which Wendy suggests stretching their legs and moving the discussion to the trade fair floor.
The second lecture seamlessly follows on from Rob Coppes' presentation. He gave a talk from the academic world, now Brigitta Witte from Galapagos takes the floor. Galapagos is a biotech company that conducts clinical trials in phase 1 and 2 in cell therapy (CAR-T) for oncology. In her presentation, Birgitta describes Galapagos' decentralized production approach. She says that Galapagos' approach of seven days vein-to-vein time is unique. The large pharmaceutical companies need fourteen to forty days for a comparable result.
At the end of her presentation, Brigitta elaborates on Galapagos' optimization process and the fully automated incubator, the cocoon. After the conclusion, she also receives a hearty applause and the hands in the room shoot up in the air once again.
For the third and final presentation, we step back from the market to the scientific world. Patrick Mulder from the research laboratory of the Alliantie Brandwondenzorg Nederland will give a presentation about his research into treatment methods for burns. “Burns are among the most complex types of wounds and are often difficult to treat,” says Patrick. The research laboratory in Beverwijk uses blood and skin samples from patients to study burns. In the laboratory, they grow human skin and replicate the reactions to test potential treatments.
The visitors listen to him with great interest. Patrick shows promising results and it seems that we can start the movement towards animal-free testing. Patrick honestly admits that one of the disadvantages of this method is that you perform the tests on the skin only. The influence on organs and blood circulation, for example, is not taken into account.
After lunch it is time to get down to work. Isogen, LED Techno and BioSPX have prepared three workshop setups that will be given in parallel in three sessions. All visitors will have the opportunity to follow all three workshops.
In a fun and interactive way, visitors are provided with practical knowledge about 3D cell technologies, ergonomic pipetting and automated microscopy. Everyone walks around the tables and comments on each other's work. The exhibitors supervise the test setups and have an encouraging compliment for everyone - even for this editor.
At the end of the last session, the visitors walk onto the exhibition floor and join the drinks. The lectures, the workshops, everything passes by. FHI Life Science event guarantees a substantive day and in the queue for a cold refreshment I only hear positive sounds.
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