Analis Academy - Beyond the Spin: The Art and Science of EV Isolation and Characterisation
ANALIS ACADEMY
Isolating EVs is easy. Isolating EVs you can trust is not.
Every EV researcher knows the frustration: a protocol that works beautifully in one lab, but not in yours. Co-isolated lipoproteins that complicate downstream proteomics. A density gradient that takes hours of hands-on work to prepare, and still introduces variability. Downstream characterisation data that raises more questions than it answers.
Beyond the Spin is a one-day scientific session dedicated to what happens between the sample and the data: how isolation strategy, centrifugation design and characterisation choices are not three separate steps, but parts of one interconnected workflow.
Throughout the day, experts from UGent LECR, VIB IRC, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Analis will share practical, transferable insights — from gradient planning and contaminant removal, to rotor selection and flow cytometry for EVs and other sub-micron particles.
The programme will also include a hands-on demonstration of the OptiMATE Gradient Maker, showing how automated gradient preparation can help reduce manual handling and improve consistency in density-gradient workflows.
Real science, real protocols, real trade-offs, real questions.
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE HOME
- Understand the principles behind the spin: Learn how ultracentrifugation separates particles, from differential sedimentation and rate-zonal separation to buoyant-density and equilibrium approaches and understand how to select the right principle for your EV workflow.
- Take the principles back to your own workflow: Leave with a framework for choosing and designing an ultracentrifugation strategy based on what you want to separate, why you want to separate it, and what you need to do with the sample afterwards.
- Meet the EV community: A full day with peers from Flemish and international research groups and core facilities. Lunch and coffee breaks designed for conversation.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- PhD students & postdocs working on EVs, exosomes or sub-micron particles
- Principal Investigators building or refining an EV workflow
- Core facility managers & technicians (centrifugation, flow cytometry, imaging, proteomics)
- Biotech R&D scientists developing EV-based diagnostics or therapeutics
Expected level: intermediate to advanced. Prior hands-on experience with EV isolation is helpful but not required.
PROGRAM
08.45 - 09.15
Welcome & Registration
09.15 - 10.10
Opening Scientific Session
Extracellular Vesicles: Research Perspectives and Applications
— Cláudio Pinheiro, UGent LECR
10.10 - 10.30
Coffee break
10.30 - 12.00
Two Sides of Centrifugation: Characterisation & Sample Preparation in Sync
Part 1: Planning Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation for Efficient Contaminant Removal
Part 2: Characterisation and Sample Preparation in Sync
— Lutz Ehrhardt, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences
12.00 - 13.00
Lunch & networking
13.00 - 14.00
Hands-on Demonstration — OptiMate Gradient Maker
Gradient preparation, rotor selection and workflow considerations for EV research
— Lutz Ehrhardt, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences & Kurt Bello, Analis
14.00 - 14.30
Flow Cytometry for EV Research
— Cláudio Pinheiro, UGent LECR & Practical insights from Katrijn Ghekiere (Analis)
14.30 - 14.50
Coffee break
14.50 - 15.50
Closing Scientific Session
Extracellular Vesicles: Research Perspectives and Applications
— Cristiano Lucci, VIB IRC