International Francqui-Collen Symposium on Gene Regulation and Regulatory Genomics 2026

Gentaur is proud to sponsor the International Francqui-Collen Symposium on Gene Regulation and Regulatory Genomics, taking place on Thursday, 26 November 2026, in Leuven, Belgium.

Bringing together leading national and international researchers, this one-day scientific symposium will explore recent advances, emerging concepts and future directions in gene regulation and regulatory genomics.

The event will take place at the Universiteitshal, Naamsestraat 22, 3000 Leuven, from 10:00 to 18:00 and will feature plenary scientific sessions, invited speakers and opportunities for exchange between researchers working across genomics, molecular biology, cell biology and related fields.

- Date : Thursday, 26 November 2026

- Time : 10:00-18:00

- Venue : Universiteitshal, Naamsestraat 22, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

- Topic : Gene Regulation and Regulatory Genomics

- Format : International one-day scientific symposium

- Registration : Now available through the official event page

Understanding how genes are controlled is fundamental to modern molecular and cellular biology.

Gene regulation describes the mechanisms that determine when, where and to what extent genes are expressed. These processes influence cellular identity, development, adaptation and disease.

Regulatory genomics studies these mechanisms at genome scale, combining genomic sequences with functional and computational data to understand how regulatory information is encoded and interpreted across the genome.

Modern research in this area increasingly brings together transcription factors, enhancers, chromatin organization, epigenomics, gene expression, single-cell technologies, functional genomics and computational biology.

These approaches are helping researchers investigate how cellular states are established, how gene-regulatory networks change during development and disease, and how increasingly detailed genomic data can be translated into new biological insights.

The International Francqui-Collen Symposium is designed to bring scientists together around some of the most important questions in contemporary genomics.

The program will provide opportunities to discuss advances in gene regulation and regulatory genomics, while encouraging scientific exchange between researchers working across different experimental and computational disciplines.

The symposium is organized in the context of the International Francqui-Collen Professor Chair 2026, awarded to Prof. Bart Deplancke, Full Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics at the EPFL School of Life Sciences.

Prof. Deplancke's wider Francqui-Collen program in Belgium connects genomics, cell biology and data science and includes seminars addressing areas such as regulatory genomics, enhancer biology, single-cell phenomics and quantitative gene regulation.

The symposium brings together researchers from internationally recognized institutes working across gene regulation, genomics, chromatin biology and related areas.

- Christa Buecker, Group Leader, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna : Christa Buecker is among the confirmed speakers participating in the symposium.

- Thijn Brummelkamp, Director of Research, Netherlands Cancer Institute : Thijn Brummelkamp will join the international speaker program representing the Netherlands Cancer Institute.

- Daniel Ibrahim, Group Leader - Regulatory Genomics, Berlin Institute of Health : Daniel Ibrahim's research position directly reflects one of the central themes of the meeting: regulatory genomics.

- Ana Pombo, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Germany : Ana Pombo is internationally associated with research examining genome regulation and nuclear organization.

- Aleksandra Pękowska, Head of the Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics : Her participation brings additional expertise in chromatin biology and epigenomics, two closely connected areas of gene-regulatory research.

- Jussi Taipale, Group Leader, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK : Jussi Taipale completes the currently confirmed international speaker group listed by the organizers.

While the organizers state that the detailed program will be announced separately, the symposium's central theme and the scientific backgrounds represented by its participants place several important research areas around the event.

These include gene expression regulation, transcriptional regulation, regulatory genomics, enhancer biology, chromatin biology, epigenomics, functional genomics, single-cell biology, computational genomics and systems biology.

The broader International Francqui-Collen Chair program also includes seminars on subjects such as regulatory genomics and enhancer biology, AI and machine learning in the life sciences, single-cell phenomics, and quantitative gene regulation.

Prof. Bart Deplancke and the International Francqui-Collen Professor Chair 2026

The 2026 International Francqui-Collen Professor Chair has been awarded to Prof. Bart Deplancke of EPFL.

His research focuses on understanding how genomic information drives cellular and organismal diversity, with substantial work involving innovative and single-cell-based technologies.

The Chair program is hosted by the Department of Human Genetics at KU Leuven, in collaboration with Ghent University and Université libre de Bruxelles, with support from the Francqui Foundation.

This wider program creates opportunities for scientists, students and research institutions to engage with developments at the intersection of genomics, cell biology, computational biology and data science.

As a sponsor of the International Francqui-Collen Symposium, Gentaur supports scientific exchange, collaboration and continued innovation in genomics and life science research.

Gentaur helps laboratories and procurement teams access a global portfolio of life science products from leading international suppliers.

Our goal is to make scientific sourcing simpler, more transparent and more efficient by combining broad product access with competitive sourcing, optimized shipping, reliable availability and responsive scientific support.

Through our international partner network and experienced scientific team, Gentaur works with research institutions, biotechnology companies, hospitals, laboratories and distributors to help strengthen their research supply chains and keep scientific projects moving.

Supporting Research from Discovery to Application

Research in gene regulation and genomics increasingly depends on multidisciplinary workflows involving molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, proteomics, immunology and computational approaches.

Gentaur supports these workflows by helping researchers identify and source products across a broad spectrum of life science applications.

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The symposium is particularly relevant for researchers and professionals interested in genomics, molecular biology, human genetics, gene expression, transcriptional regulation, epigenomics, chromatin biology, single-cell biology, bioinformatics, computational biology and systems biology.

It also provides an opportunity for PhD researchers, postdoctoral scientists and established investigators to connect with specialists working on complementary aspects of genome regulation.

What is the International Francqui-Collen Symposium on Gene Regulation and Regulatory Genomics?

=> It is an international scientific symposium bringing together researchers to discuss current advances and future directions in gene regulation and regulatory genomics.

When is the Gene Regulation and Regulatory Genomics Symposium?

=> The symposium takes place on Thursday, 26 November 2026, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Where is the symposium being held?

=> The event will be held at Universiteitshal, Naamsestraat 22, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Who are the confirmed speakers?

=> Confirmed speakers currently include Christa Buecker, Thijn Brummelkamp, Daniel Ibrahim, Ana Pombo, Aleksandra Pękowska and Jussi Taipale.

Who is the Francqui-Collen Professor for 2026?

=> The International Francqui-Collen Professor Chair 2026 was awarded to Prof. Bart Deplancke of EPFL School of Life Sciences.

What is regulatory genomics?

=> Regulatory genomics investigates how regulatory information encoded within the genome influences gene activity and cellular function, using genomic, functional and computational approaches.

Is registration open?

=> Yes. The official symposium page currently provides a registration link.

Where can I find the official symposium information?

=> Full details and updates are available from the KU Leuven Center for Human Genetics, the official source for the symposium.

Gentaur is proud to support the International Francqui-Collen Symposium and the scientific community advancing gene regulation and regulatory genomics.