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Case Study | June 11, 2025

Digitalizing Biomedical Research: VIB Case Study

TL;DR
VIB is a leading Belgian nonprofit research institute that brings together more than 1,500 scientists across five major universities, and its Screening Core manages a library of over 45,000 molecules. With CDD Vault as its central screening data environment, VIB moved beyond spreadsheets to link biological results directly to chemical structures, preserve assay-development knowledge in searchable ELNs, and support collaborative screening work across internal cores and external partners.

Introduction to VIB

VIB is a leading non-profit research institute in Belgium that brings together more than 1,500 scientists across five major universities to accelerate biological innovation. Known for spinning out groundbreaking technologies, VIB conducts research that spans transcriptomics, proteomics, imaging, and high-throughput screening (HTS). Faced with a growing need to manage large volumes of experimental data, the VIB Screening Core turned to CDD Vault.

This case study explores how adopting CDD Vault’s registration system and ELN allowed VIB to centralize data, improve collaboration, reduce redundancy, and unlock deeper scientific insight.

Findings: The Urgent Need to Replace Spreadsheet-Based Systems

The Screening Core managed a compound library of over 45,000 molecules using Excel spreadsheets and a basic database. But spreadsheets fell short—biological data couldn’t be tied directly to chemical structures, and scientists lacked the ability to cross-reference screening results or draw meaningful relational insights.

“The spreadsheets didn’t allow us to annotate any of the biological data coming from the screens to those structures... there was no way to immediately analyze relational data.”

— Dominique Audenaert, Head of the VIB Screening Core

Realizing that the status quo was unsustainable, VIB evaluated multiple solutions before selecting CDD Vault for its usability, web-based architecture, and superior support.

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A Central Repository That Unifies Screening and Structure Data

The CDD Vault registration system allowed VIB scientists to seamlessly link chemical structures with screening data. It quickly became the institute’s primary data management infrastructure, enabling easy visualization, clustering, and comparison of lead compounds.

Problem: Decentralized, unstructured compound and screening data limited insight and slowed progress.
Solution: CDD Vault unified compound structures and experimental results into one secure, searchable system.

“CDD Vault has significantly boosted data intelligence from our in-house projects and the value chain for our partners and collaborators.”

— Dominique Audenaert

Enhancing Collaboration Across Core Facilities and Partners

VIB’s Screening Core collaborates closely with its Proteomics, Imaging, and Nucleomics Cores as well as external partners and commercial clients. CDD Vault supports flexible, secure access to data across teams and time zones, facilitating both internal coordination and tailored partnerships with industry.

Example use cases include:

Miniaturization and automation of benchtop assays
HTS campaigns across diverse screening formats
Fee-for-service research and collaborative IP development

“CDD Vault and its ELN represent key tools that help maximize the value chain from research carried out by our scientists and on behalf of collaborators.”

— Dominique Audenaert

Streamlining Assay Development with the CDD Vault ELN

To complement its registration system, VIB implemented the CDD Vault Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN). This enabled scientists to track and document assay development workflows, improving reproducibility and institutional knowledge retention.

Before: Lab teams relied on memory and fragmented documentation.
After: ELN provides searchable records of all experimental designs, protocols, and outcomes.

“Our scientists no longer have to rely on remembering when or how a past experiment was carried out… all experimental data and workflows can be tracked.”

— Dominique Audenaert

Planning for API Integration with Imaging Systems

As VIB expands into high-content imaging assays, data volume and complexity increase. To further streamline operations, VIB plans to use the CDD Vault API to integrate its imaging system (PerkinElmer Columbus™) directly with the Vault, linking image datasets with chemical structures.

This forward-looking integration reflects VIB’s commitment to end-to-end digitalization, ensuring that no data, visual, numeric, or structural, is siloed.

Conclusion

With CDD Vault at the core of its data infrastructure, VIB’s Screening Core has dramatically improved how it stores, links, and leverages its research data. From compound registration to HTS results and assay development records, the institute now benefits from centralized insights, better collaboration, and enhanced efficiency. What was once fragmented is now unified, helping VIB deliver more value to its in-house teams and its growing network of collaborators.

Recommendations

For research institutes juggling compound libraries, diverse assay formats, and partner-facing workflows, adopting a secure, user-friendly informatics platform like CDD Vault is essential. Its registration system, ELN, and integration capabilities make it ideal for organizations striving to digitalize research and unlock the full potential of their experimental data.

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How does VIB support collaboration across core facilities and external partners?

VIB’s Screening Core works closely with the Proteomics, Imaging, and Nucleomics Cores, as well as external collaborators and commercial clients. A shared data environment helps the institute coordinate screening work more effectively while giving teams access to the specific data they need for collaborative and fee-for-service projects.

How does VIB preserve assay-development knowledge over time?

VIB uses searchable digital records to capture assay designs, protocols, and outcomes so scientists do not have to rely on memory or fragmented notes. This makes assay-development knowledge easier to revisit, reuse, and build on across future projects.

What is VIB planning next for high-content screening data?

As VIB expands into high-content imaging assays, the institute plans to connect PerkinElmer Columbus imaging data with chemical structures through the API. That would help VIB avoid new data silos and keep richer screening datasets tied to the same core research environment.