Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN): essentials
Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN): essentials
18 January 2027, 13h00- 17h00
General context
Efficient documentation and collaboration are essential in any research environment. The eLabJournal serves as the central platform for managing experimental workflows, samples, and team communication. This introductory training offers a practical overview of how to use the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) to streamline daily lab operations.
You will explore the platform’s core features — from documenting experiments and organizing samples to facilitating collaboration across research teams. The training is hands-on and designed to help users quickly become confident in navigating the system, improving productivity while ensuring compliance with research standards (e.g., FAIR principles).
- Explain the importance of the ELNs in research projects
- Differentiate the three core components of eLabJournal: inventory, protocols, and journal
- Create and organize experiments, experiment templates, and protocols
- Track samples, supplies, and equipment bookings
- Search and retrieve inventory and journal entries efficiently
- Use collaborative features such as sharing experiments and adding collaborators
The training combines theoretical instruction with hands-on activities. Participants receive a platform overview, followed by guided exercises to practice key functionalities. The session concludes with best practices for structuring research data in eLabJournal.
Participants must bring a laptop for hands-on activities.
No prior experience with eLabJournal is required.
This course is part of the learning path Basic research essentials.
Trainers
Liesbeth De Milde
Liesbeth has been a member of the Data Core team as the ELN Officer since 2023. She contributed to the selection process for a new ELN platform and was involved in its rollout. Liesbeth began her career at VIB in 2008, working with the groups of Dirk Inzé and Alain Goossens. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience that has been essential in supporting the effective operation of the laboratory.
Matheus Lourenço
Matheus Lourenço is a science communication expert and trainer at VIB. A behaviour change specialist and Marie-Curie fellow with a joint PhD in Psychology from KU Leuven and Maastricht University, he pioneered innovative methodologies in tinnitus treatment and gathered accolades for his ability to make complex scientific approaches accessible to diverse audiences.
After completing his PhD, Matheus worked as a consultant to leading pharmaceutical companies, delivering strategic workshops worldwide. Now back in academia, he is committed to empowering researchers to communicate their work with clarity and impact, thereby strengthening the connection between science and society.
Program
Introduction and overview of the eLabJournal
Coffee break (provided)
Hands-on activity and best practices with the eLabJournal
Practical info
18 January 2027
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Universiteitsplein 1
2610 Antwerpen
Belgium
18 January 2027
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Antwerp has a dense public transportation network. Buses and trams are available to take you to many different parts of the city. There are direct bus links to various other towns and cities as well. Plan your route using the De Lijn timetables.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Groenenborger: around 7 min. on foot
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Drie Eiken: around 35 min.
- Campus Groenenborger - Campus Drie Eiken: around 45 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Middelheim: around 45 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Groenenborger: around 55 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Drie Eiken: around 60 min.
Did you know Antwerp also has a water bus? You can use it to travel between the Antwerp city centre and nearby towns.
18 January 2027
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
Antwerp is a bike-friendly city. Get to know the smart and cheap way to travel around in Antwerp fot students.
For short trips in and around the city, a rental bike is ideal. Apart from the student bicycle and the Velo city bikes, there are several other bike rental options.
Do you need to cross the Scheldt? Check the availability of the bike lifts and escalators of the tunnels, or take Antwerp’s ferry service with your bike.
Cycling between campuses:
- Stadscampus - Campus Middelheim: 20 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Groenenborger: 25 min.
- Stadscampus - Campus Drie Eiken: 30 min.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Groenenborger: 4 min.
- Campus Middelheim - Campus Drie Eiken: 10 min.
- Campus Groenenborger - Campus Drie Eiken: 8 min.
The newest way to travel around Antwerp is by shared electric scooter.
18 January 2027
Antwerp - Campus Drie Eiken UAntwerpen
It’s recommended to travel to and in Antwerp by public transport. If you are travelling by car, take the following into account:
- There are P+R zones where you can park on various main roads into Antwerp. They are ideal places to switch to bus, tram or bike a few kilometres from the campus.
- The Antwerp city centre and part of Linkeroever (Antwerp’s left bank) are a low-emission zone: highly polluting vehicles are not allowed into the city.
- Keep in mind that the zone around the Stadscampus is a residential area with a speed limit of 20 km/h. Pedestrians freely make use of the entire road.
- Take possible road works and events into account.
- Within Antwerp, you can make use of the taxi service.
Campus Drie Eiken en Campus Groenenborger have free university parking spots.
Carpooling is not only fun and ecological, but also good for your wallet and you get to meet new people. Are you looking for a car ride or a fellow passenger, occasionally or daily? Take a look at our carpool platform.