Speakers for UBD-Snibe 2026

Speakers

You are here

Accommodation

Details available soon

Globally the disease burden of sepsis is immense, although the incidence and prevalence of sepsis is already very high in developed countries, the burden of disease is even higher in low- and middle-income countries. This creates a major challenge for hospitals and ICUs. Recently, the diagnostic criteria have been updated internationally, and the SOFA score is now well established. The majority of criteria rely on laboratory testing. In terms of immunopathogenesis, patient suffering from sepsis are challenged by two extreme immune situations: on the one hand, overactivation of the immune system and, on the other hand, immunosuppression. The activation of the innate and adaptive immune responses is strongly associated to and accompanied by the activation of the clotting system. Although we have quite a panel of parameters that allow us to assess hyperactivation, we still lack reliable routine parameters for the immediate assessment of immunosuppression. This caveat needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. Frequent longitudinal assessments of patients are of utmost importance in order to assess the status of our patients with regard to the above-mentioned hemostatic situations, as well as their response to treatment. Only the future development of new tests, combined with frequent and repeated analysis of these patients and early diagnostics, particularly in susceptible individuals such as neonates and the elderly, will help to reduce disease, burden and mortality. So in conclusion, sepsis is a very good used case that illustrates the pivotal role of laboratory medicine in the routine work flow for the benefit of patients. However, this depends on the global availability of these tests.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represents a significant clinical challenge due to its high prevalence and the difficulty of accurate diagnosis and risk stratification. In recent years, blood biomarkers have emerged as valuable adjunct tools in the management of mTBI, offering objective, rapid, and non-invasive support for clinical decision-making. They can assist in identifying patients who require further imaging, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure, and optimizing resource utilization.

This presentation will begin by exploring the evolving role of blood biomarkers within the clinical pathway of mTBI management. An overview of currently available biomarkers will be provided, including their diagnostic performance, limitations, and clinical applicability.

A particular focus will be placed on S100B protein—one of the most extensively studied biomarkers in this context. The presentation will examine its biological characteristics, clinical utility, and established place in current guidelines. Special attention will be given to the appropriate use of S100B in guiding patient selection for cranial computed tomography, as well as its limitations and future perspectives. By the end of the session, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to integrate S100B and other blood biomarkers into their clinical practice for improved mTBI management.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite major advances in therapeutics and clinical care. Achieving meaningful progress in prevention and early diagnosis now requires a paradigm shift in how diagnostics are conceived, delivered, and integrated into care pathways. Laboratory medicine is evolving from a test-centric discipline toward an integrated diagnostic system embedded across prevention, primary care, and specialized services. High-value biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides, cardiac troponins, and emerging multimarker strategies enable earlier identification of subclinical disease, refined risk stratification, and longitudinal monitoring of patients at risk. Recent translational work illustrates how repurposed and novel biomarkers, including CA125, can complement NT-proBNP in heart failure, improving prognostic assessment and supporting therapeutic monitoring.

At the same time, emerging technologies are reshaping the diagnostic landscape. When combined with digital connectivity and artificial intelligence, laboratory data become part of continuous, learning healthcare systems, supporting predictive analytics, clinical decision support, and population-level prevention strategies. Crucially, this transformation elevates the role of specialists in laboratory medicine. Their expertise is essential to ensure analytical quality, clinical relevance, harmonization across settings, and responsible implementation of AI-driven tools. As diagnostics become distributed, laboratory professionals increasingly act as architects of diagnostic ecosystems, integrating data, guiding interpretation, and safeguarding equity and trust.

Drawing on recent clinical validation studies, system-level perspectives, and emerging technology frameworks, this talk highlights how laboratories can move upstream in cardiovascular care, shifting from reactive testing to proactive prevention. Ultimately, leveraging biomarkers, digital health, and intelligent diagnostics offers a unique opportunity to reduce diagnostic delays, personalize interventions, and improve cardiovascular outcomes at scale. I truly believe that clinical laboratories are not supporting actors in this transformation, they are key drivers of the future of cardiovascular disease prevention and early diagnosis.