THE KEMOMIND SCIENCE CONFERENCE
From Genes to Advanced Therapies:
CONNECTING HEMATOLOGY, CAR-T AND DISEASE MODELS
LJUBLJANA
25. 11. 2026
WHY DO YOU NEED TO APPLY?
Sharing knowledge
Establishing new scientific collaborations
Life Science Experts
Renowned international and Slovenian scientist in one place.
Free
Entry
We are organizing a free event for everyone.
Scientific
points
Kemomind conference has a serial cobiss publication number.
Learn about current advances in hematological genetics, molecular diagnostics and erythrocytosis research.
Discuss opportunities and bottlenecks in CAR-T and other advanced cell and gene therapies.
Discover how NAMs and advanced in vitro models can improve disease research and preclinical testing.
Meet researchers, clinicians and technology experts from across the region.
Present your work, receive expert feedback and compete for the Best Poster Award.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Researchers, clinicians, laboratory specialists, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical professionals, and everyone working in hematology, molecular genetics, cell and gene therapy, disease modelling, organoids, 3D bioprinting, imaging and translational medicine.
From Genes to Advanced Therapies: Connecting Hematology, CAR-T and Disease Models
KEMOMIND 2026 brings together researchers, clinicians, young scientists and industry experts to explore how discoveries in hematological genetics can be translated into better diagnostics, advanced cell therapies and more relevant models of human disease.
This year’s programme connects three rapidly developing fields: erythrocytosis and hematological genetics, CAR-T and advanced cell and gene therapies, and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including organoids, 3D bioprinting and advanced in vitro disease models. Through invited lectures, practical case studies, a multidisciplinary round table and a poster session, KEMOMIND creates space for scientific exchange and new regional collaborations.
Participation: The official language of KEMOMIND 2026 is English. Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required due to limited capacity.
AGENDA
Please note: The agenda below is preliminary and subject to change as the conference program is finalized.
Wednesday, 25th of November 2026
*All lectures will be presented in the English language
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08:00 - 08:30 Registration and Morning Coffee
NAMs and Translational Applications
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08:30 - 09:00 New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and 3D Bioprinting of Ovarian Cancer Models
Dr. Vesna Kokondoska Grgič, Kemomed / Gaber Kobal, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
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09:05 - 09:25 Towards Liver Organoids at Scale: Unlocking the Potential of Human-Relevant In Vitro Models
Dr. Katja Kološa, National Institute of Biology
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09:30 - 09:50 From Regeneration to Disease Modification: Real-World Data and the Case for New Approach Methodologies in Veterinary Cell Therapy
Luka Mohorič, CEO of Animacel
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09:55 - 10:15 Human Endothelium-on-a-Chip: Modeling Oxidative Injury Under Flow Conditions
Asist. Klemen Kirbus, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy
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10:20 - 11:05 Coffee break and Poster Session
CAR-T and Hematilogic Malignancies
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11:10 - 11:30 Genetic Diagnostics in Hematologic Malignancies: From the Philadelphia Chromosome to the Challenges of Precision Medicine
Dr. Helena Podgornik, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Haematology
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11:35 - 11:55 The impact of cellular metabolism on the properties and function of CAR T cells
Asist. Lucija Sršen, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
Round Table
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12:00 - 13:00 The Future of CAR-T Therapies and Rare Diseases in Slovenia
Moderator: Dr. Vesna Kokondoska Grgič
Panellists: Prof. Dr. Nataša Debeljak, Prof. Dr. Irena Preložnik Zupan, Illumina, and others...
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13:00 - 14:00 Lunch and Poster Session
Genomics of Erythrocytosis
Gen2Ery consortium session
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14:00 - 14:10 Opening Address: The Genomic Landscape of Erythrocytosis: A Decade of Research, Discovery, and Clinical Progress
Prof. Dr. Nataša Debeljak , University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
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14:10 - 14:35 Diagnosis and Management of Familial Erythrocytosis
Assist. Prof. Dr. Saša Anžej Doma, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Department of Hematology
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14:40 - 15:05 The Role of Modern Genomic Testing in Hereditary Hematological Disorders
Assist. Prof. Dr. Tadej Pajič / Assist. Prof. Dr. Aleš Maver, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine
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15:10 - 15:35 Genetic testing of patients with erythrocytosis without JAK2 V617F mutation using targeted sequencing of a 24-gene panel
Dr. Ana Livun, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb
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15:40 - 16:00 Coffee break and Poster Session
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16:00 - 16:20 Development of Gene Regulatory Atlases to Support the Prioritization and Interpretation of Regulatory and Potentially Pathogenic Variants
Prof. Dr. Tanja Kunej, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical faculty
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16:20 - 16:40 Characterization of Novel Genetic Variants Identified in Patients with Erythrocytosis
Prof. Dr. Nataša Debeljak, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
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16:40 - 16:45 HFE Gene Variants in Patients with Idiopathic Erythrocytosis - A Slovenian Cohort Study
Dijana Šarić, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
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16:50 - 16:55 Approaches for Functional Characterization of Genetic Variants of Unknown Clinical Significance: Hereditary Erythrocytosis
Matija Kiker, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine
Closing Session
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17:00 - 17:30 Closing Remarks and Networking
Awards Ceremony for Best Poster Presentation and the LVL Prize
KEMOMIND 2026 POSTER SESSION
Are you a student, PhD candidate, postdoctoral researcher or early-career scientist working in hematology, molecular genetics, cell and gene therapy, disease modelling or translational life sciences? We invite you to present your research at the KEMOMIND 2026 Poster Session.
The poster session offers an opportunity to share your results with researchers, clinicians and industry experts from across the region, receive constructive feedback, build new collaborations and compete for the KEMOMIND 2026 Best Poster Award.
All accepted abstracts will be included in the official KEMOMIND 2026 Book of Abstracts. Posters will be evaluated by the scientific committee, and the Best Poster Award will be presented during the closing session.
Suggested topics
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Hematological diseases, erythrocytosis and inherited genetic disorders
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Molecular diagnostics, genomics, spatial biology and multi-omics
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CAR-T, immune-cell therapies, genome editing and advanced therapy medicinal products
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AAV and other technologies supporting cell and gene therapy development
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NAMs, organoids, spheroids, 3D bioprinting and advanced in vitro models
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Imaging, analytical methods and automation in translational research
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Other relevant work in biomedical and life-science research
KEY DATES
Registration opens
29. September 2026
Abstract submission deadline
3. November 2026
Notification of acceptance
10. November 2026
Registration closes
17. November 2026
Conference
25. November 2026
Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required due to limited capacity.