New Matter: Inside the Minds of SLAS Scientists

The MO:BOT from mo:re | SLAS Europe 2025 New Product Award Winner with Lukas Gaats, MBA, MSc

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/951535/open_sms] Live from SLAS Europe 2025 in Hamburg, host Emily Yamasaki, PhD, speaks with Lukas Gaats, MBA, MSc [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-gaats/], CEO of mo:re [https://more.science/] (Modern Research) who is a winner of the SLAS Europe 2025 New Product Award. Based in Hamburg, mo:re is revolutionizing 3D cell culture automation with a modular, biology-first platform designed for organoids, spheroids, and tumor models. Lukas shares his journey from academia (studying regenerative medicine and bioprinting in Australia) to founding mo:re after identifying the need for standardized, reproducible 3D cell cultures. Frustrated by the variability in manual techniques, the company developed a modular robotic system that integrates hardware, software and wetware (biology protocols).  The MO:BOT is a user-friendly robotic and software platform that sets a new benchmark for medical research studies. It utilizes automation and AI to enhance cell survival and consistency, even in long-term studies, resulting in improved traceability and reproducibility for research and regulatory purposes. Learn more about mo:re by visiting: more.science [https://more.science/] Key Highlights: * SLAS Innovation AveNEW Roots: mo:re’s 2023 debut as a prototype evolved into a commercialized platform, now backed by seed funding. * FDA’s Animal Testing Phase-Out: Lukas discusses how this regulatory shift boosts demand for human-relevant 3D models. * Hamburg’s Biotech Scene: An emerging hub with talent from EMBL and Fraunhofer, though still nascent for startups. Stay connected with SLAS: * www.slas.org [https://www.slas.org/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening?v=wall] * X [https://x.com/SLAS_Org] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyforlaboratoryautomation/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slas_org/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/SLASvideo] About SLAS SLAS [http://www.slas.org/] (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas2026-international-conference-exhibition/] * February 7-11, 2026 * Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas-europe-2026-conference-and-exhibition/] * 19-21 May 2026 * Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/]

2025 SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant Recipient | Vasu Rao, MS, PhD Candidate

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/951535/open_sms] New Matter host Emily Yamasaki, PhD, speaks with Vasumitra “Vasu” Rao, MS, PhD candidate [https://www.slas.org/news-highlights/news-center/2025-news-releases/slas-announces-100-000-graduate-education-fellowship-grant-awarded-to-vasu-rao-of-the-university-of-michigan/]–recipient of the 2025 SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant–about his innovative research at the Jensen Lab (University of Michigan). Vasu’s work focuses on AI-driven characterization of non-model oral bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus mutans), aiming to predict microbial growth dynamics and biofilm formation using neural ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and automated high-throughput experiments. His research bridges gaps in microbiology by studying under-explored organisms beyond traditional models, such as E. coli. Potential applications include understanding cavity formation, drug discovery, and pharmacodynamics modeling. He shares his unconventional path into AI/microbiology (inspired by chess and reinforcement learning), and discusses how the SLAS grant supports his exploratory research. About the SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant: This SLAS grant facilitates educational opportunities for outstanding students pursuing graduate degrees related to life sciences R&D. This program helps to realize a fundamental tenet of SLAS’s mission: to advance the fields of laboratory science and technology by nurturing the next generation of professional scientists.  SLAS will award one grant (up to $50,000) per year, for a maximum of two years, to qualified educational institutions on behalf of deserving students enrolled in a graduate program at that institution. 2026 application submissions are now being accepted! Learn More [https://www.slas.org/resources/awards-and-grants/slas-graduate-education-fellowship-grant/] Stay connected with SLAS * Online at www.slas.org [https://www.slas.org/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening?v=wall] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/SLAS_Org] @SLAS_Org * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyforlaboratoryautomation/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slas_org/] @slas_org * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/SLASvideo] About SLAS SLAS [http://www.slas.org/] (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. For more information about SLAS, visit www.slas.org [http://www.slas.org/]. SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas2026-international-conference-exhibition/] * February 7-11, 2026 * Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas-europe-2026-conference-and-exhibition/] * 19-21 May 2026 * Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/]

Student Perspectives on Research, Networking and Global Impact at Scientific Conferences

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/951535/open_sms] In this episode, we look at a forward-thinking program that brought undergraduate and graduate students from Mexican universities to the SLAS2025 International Conference & Exhibition in San Diego. Host Emily Yamasaki, PhD is joined by: * Cris Herrera Ramirez, a biotech engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran, who spearheaded the program to bridge the gap between Mexican academia and global research. * Isabella Alvarez Kennedy, an undergraduate student in pharmaceutical chemistry from Mexico, shares her transformative experience at the conference. Key Learning Points: 1. Breaking Barriers: Cris highlights the lack of resources and international exposure for Mexican STEM students, despite their top-tier education. His initiative with SLAS aims to provide mentorship, networking and career clarity. 2. Eye-Opening Experience: Isabella describes how attending SLAS expanded her view of scientific careers, from witnessing cutting-edge lab automation to understanding the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of biotech. 3. Global Collaboration: Both guests emphasize the value of cross-border networking in solving complex research challenges and fostering innovation. 4. Early-Career Impact: The episode highlights why undergraduate students benefit significantly from conferences—discovering their passions, building connections and gaining direction before committing to a career path. Stay connected with SLAS: * www.slas.org [https://www.slas.org/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening?v=wall] * X [https://x.com/SLAS_Org] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyforlaboratoryautomation/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slas_org/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/SLASvideo] About SLAS SLAS [http://www.slas.org/] (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas2026-international-conference-exhibition/] * February 7-11, 2026 * Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas-europe-2026-conference-and-exhibition/] * 19-21 May 2026 * Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/]

Beyond the Hype | Practical AI Solutions from Expert Intelligence (Sponsored by Waters)

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/951535/open_sms] Emily Yamasaki speaks with Expert Intelligence [https://www.expertintelligence.ai/team]'s Lalin Theverapperuma [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalin/], Ph.D. (CEO), and Andreas "Andi" Krupke [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaskrupke/], Ph.D. (Science Officer), on the SLAS2025 exhibition floor. The duo shares the company's inspiring journey from being an Innovation AveNEW participant in 2023 to now, highlighting their innovative AI technology designed to automate analytical data interpretation in the biotech and pharma industries. The conversation covers their unique Limited Sample Model™ [https://www.expertintelligence.ai/] (LSM) technology and the challenges of transitioning from tech to biotech.  Thank you to our Sponsor At Waters™ [http://www.waters.com/], we unlock the potential of science by solving problems that matter. Our software and instruments ensure the safety of the medicines we take, the purity of the food we eat and the water we drink, and the quality and durability of products we use every day. Together with our customers, in labs around the world, we deliver scientific insights to improve human health and well-being, helping to leave the world better than we found it. Stay connected with SLAS: * www.slas.org [https://www.slas.org/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening?v=wall] * X [https://x.com/SLAS_Org] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyforlaboratoryautomation/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slas_org/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/SLASvideo] About SLAS SLAS [http://www.slas.org/] (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.  SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas2026-international-conference-exhibition/] * February 7-11, 2026 * Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas-europe-2026-conference-and-exhibition/] * 19-21 May 2026 * Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/]

Innovation AveNEW Spotlight | React4Life’s Organ-on-a-Chip System (Sponsored by Waters)

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/951535/open_sms] Emily Yamasaki, Ph.D., is joined by 2025 Innovation AveNEW [https://www.slas.org/education/slas-ignite/] participants, React4Life [https://www.react4life.com/about-us/]'s co-founders Silvia Scaglione [https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-scaglione-25784237/], Ph.D., (CSO) and Maurizio Aiello [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurizio-aiello/], Ph.D. (CEO), on the SLAS2025 exhibition floor. They discuss their company's innovative organ-on-a-chip technology, the MIVO® [https://www.react4life.com/mivo-technology/?utm_source=google%20ads&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAjwvr--BhB5EiwAd5YbXu7CorNbfMYCW-YDfzWaPne-Ejrjb1tiKKqQvtu4xp0CK8725-wieBoCC-8QAvD_BwE] system, and its applications in cancer research, nutraceuticals and dermocosmetics. The conversation highlights the unique features of their platform, its potential to reduce animal testing and future directions, including scalability and AI-driven data analysis. Thank you to our Sponsor At Waters™ [http://www.waters.com/], we unlock the potential of science by solving problems that matter. Our software and instruments ensure the safety of the medicines we take, the purity of the food we eat and the water we drink, and the quality and durability of products we use every day. Together with our customers, in labs around the world, we deliver scientific insights to improve human health and well-being, helping to leave the world better than we found it. Learn more at www.waters.com [http://www.waters.com/] Stay connected with SLAS: * www.slas.org [https://www.slas.org/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening?v=wall] * X [https://x.com/SLAS_Org] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/societyforlaboratoryautomation/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/slas_org/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/SLASvideo] About SLAS SLAS [http://www.slas.org/] (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.  SLAS2026 International Conference & Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas2026-international-conference-exhibition/] * February 7-11, 2026 * Boston, MA SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/slas-europe-2026-conference-and-exhibition/] * 19-21 May 2026 * Vienna, Austria View the full events calendar [https://www.slas.org/events-calendar/]