DDLS Cell & Molecular Biology 2027 theme workshop: Toward a national imaging informatics strategy
April 6 @ 12:00 – April 8 @ 16:00 CEST
The Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) program, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW), warmly welcomes you to the 2027 year DDLS Cell & Molecular Biology Conference, taking place April 6-8, 2026, at Clarion Hotel, Umeå.
Target Group: Anyone interested in data-driven life science is welcome to attend the Conference. You do not need to be part of the SciLifeLab & Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science.
This year’s theme is on how to make microscopes and image data AI-ready – with a particular focus on large images and image collections. It should thus be of especial interest to developers of all sorts of related software, anyone running computing infrastructure, those interested in the SciLifeLab AI strategy, and power users who want to push the boundary of current technology.
This in-person event is divided into a two-day scientific event, and a one day hackathon, and discussions will focus on challenges, opportunities, and future directions towards a national imaging informatics strategy. But of course, being a DDLS CMB event, this is also the annual gathering to discuss any matters related to cell & molecular biology!
The conference begins with a light network lunch and registration on April 6, and either ends in the afternoon April 7 (scientific part) or afternoon April 8 (those wishing to also join the hackathon).
Registration
Registration deadline: December 15, 2026
Please register using the Nordic Congress registration system below.
As the number of workshop places is limited, participants are encouraged to register as early as possible. To secure the best options for travel and accommodation in Umeå, we also recommend making your travel arrangements before December 15.
The conference fee is SEK 1 800 and includes lunches (Day 1+2) and dinner (Day 1).
Cancellation Policy
Registration is binding but may be transferred to another participant. If there are fees associated with the registration, such as a conference fee, the participant is liable for the full amount of all applicable fees. For registration transfers made after February 1, an administrative fee of 300 SEK + VAT will be charged.
We look forward to welcoming you to Umeå for three days of discussions, collaboration, and networking!
Abstracts
Abstract submission will take place through a separate system from the Participant registration.
Travel
Participants are encouraged to arrange their travel well in advance to ensure the best availability and pricing.
For those arriving by air, regular city bus services connect Umeå Airport with the city centre where the venue is located. Those travelling by overnight train may find Umeå Central Station the most convenient arrival point, as it is located closest to the conference venue.
Questions?
Please reach out to the organizing committee via johan.henriksson@umu.se
Confirmed Speakers
- Joel Luthi (BioVisionCenter, U. Zurich)
- Aubrey Weigel (AlphaCell)
- Arco Bast (HHMI Janelia Farm)
- Anders Bjorholm Dahl (Technical University of Denmark & Head of MAX IV)
- Mart So-Last (MRC-LMB)
Preliminary Program
Tuesday, April 6, 2027
| 12:00 | Registration and lunch |
| 13:00 | Welcome and opening words |
| 13:10 | Session I: Compute & storage on large image data |
| 13:15 | Anders Dahl () – 3D imaging |
| 13:45 | Selected Abstracts |
| 14:05 | Joel Luthi (BioVisionCenter, U. Zurich) – Image analysis workflows with Fractal |
| 14:35 | Fika and posters |
| 15:00 | Session II: Use cases |
| 15:05 | Aubrey Weigel (AlphaCell) – The road to an AlphaCell |
| 15:35 | Selected abstract |
| 15:55 | Selected abstract |
| 16:05 | Fika and posters |
| 16:30 | Session III: Smart microscopy |
| 16:35 | Alan Sabirsh (AstraZeneca) – Smart microscopy in industry |
| 17:05 | Selected abstract |
| 17:25 | Arco Bast (HHMI Janelia Farm) – Controlling microscope and lab hardware with AI |
| 17:55 | Move to other Orangeriet (5 min walk) |
| 18:00 | Mingle at Orangeriet with boule, dart etc. |
| 19:00 | Dinner at Orangeriet |
Wednesday, April 7, 2027
| 08:30 | Welcome back |
| 09:00 | Session IV: AI |
| 09:05 | Mart So-Last (MRC-LMB) – Simple analysis of EM data |
| Selected abstract | |
| Selected abstract | |
| 12:00 | Lunch with discussion. Future of imaging |
| 13:00 | Session IV: A Swedish imaging strategy |
| Group discussions and whiteboarding | |
| 15:00 | End of meeting; Start of hackathon |
| 15:30 | Start of hackathons |
| 18:00 | Dinner (at own expence) |
Thursday April 8, 2027
| 08:30 | Hackathon, focus sessions. Content is decided based on user registrations. |
| 12:00 | Lunch (at own expence) |
| 13:00 | Hackathon, focus sessions. Content is decided based on user registrations. |
| 16:00 | End of hackathon |
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