Introduction to eLabJournal: getting started with the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)
Introduction to eLabJournal: getting started with the Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN)
9 September 2025, 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.
Participants 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
- List the benefits of using eLabJournal in scientific workflows
- Differentiate the three core components of eLabJournal: inventory, protocols, and journal
- Create and organize experiments and experiment templates
- Configure inventory settings, including sample types and storage units
- Track samples, supplies, and equipment bookings
- Create and edit protocols within the platform
- Search and retrieve inventory and journal entries efficiently
- Use collaborative features such as sharing experiments and adding collaborators
- Develop a unified naming structure for samples, projects, studies, and experiments
The training combines theoretical instruction with hands-on activities. Participants receive a platform overview, followed by guided exercises to practice key functionalities. The session includes a coffee break and concludes with best practices for structuring research data in eLabJournal.
- No prior experience with eLabJournal is required.
- Participants must bring a laptop for hands-on activities.
Trainers
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.
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.
Program
Introduction and overview of the eLabJournal
Coffee break (provided)
Hands-on activity and best practices with the eLabJournal
Practical info
09 September 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
09 September 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
09 September 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
09 September 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.