Bringing together key experts in diverse omics fields and providing access to the latest laboratory infrastructure to position the UGent/Association UGent (AUGent) at the crossroads of innovative research. Early access to bleeding edge technology leverages the local research expertise, which is crucial to be at the forefront of scientific (r)evolutions. The technology allows innovative approaches to study (epi)genomes, transcriptomes and viromes, even in single cells. Newly acquired insights into complex biological systems and the impact of omics profiling in medicine will result in more personalized diagnosis and disease monitoring/stratification of patients, enabling therapy for improved active living and healthy aging. Ongoing research projects and collaborations span the life sciences and are thus diverse and truly interdisciplinary across several UGent faculties.