Prof. dr. ir. Björn Menten studied Bioscience Engineering with a Major in Cell and Gene Biotechnology at Ghent University (2002). In 2007, he defended his PhD in medical sciences on the implementation of genomic microarrays in the diagnostic workup of patients with intellectual disability and congenital anomalies. This unique blend of engineering and biological expertise informs his work.

He was appointed principal investigator at the Laboratory for Genome Research within the Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine at the University of Ghent. Prof. Menten leads cutting-edge research. His team focuses on developing and implementing advanced genomic technologies for better and faster diagnosis in prenatal, postnatal, and cancer research. Their repertoire includes microarray analysis, exome sequencing, (shallow) Whole Genome Sequencing, and, more recently, Non-invasive Prenatal Testing and Liquid Biopsy profiling. Initially centered on detecting relevant copy number variants, their focus has expanded to include whole genome analysis and epigenetic markers for disease stratification.

His impactful publications include studies on a broad field, including preimplantation genetic testing, NIPT, early-stage lung cancer diagnosis, liquid biopsies, and copy number alterations.