Xavier Fuentes Arderiu (left) - Joan Nicolau-Costa (right)

The VIIIth Congress of the Catalan Association for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (ACCLC) was held from March 6-8, 2008 at the University of Lleida  (Catalonia, Spain). The topics covered the main areas of the clinical laboratory sciences, but special attention was given to genetics, prenatal screening, epidemiological population changes, new markers, and HIV as well as optimization of human and economic resources in the clinical laboratory. After the welcome speech, Joan Viñas-Salas, Chancellor of the University of Lleida, presented the opening.

The scientific program included lectures, round table discussions and symposia. Posters were displayed during the congress and discussed in one of the sessions. The annual meeting of the association also took place there. Different companies related to the field had exhibits of the latest diagnostic products and laboratory technology.

The meeting attracted approximately two hundred participants from all over the Catalan autonomous region in Spain. The attendants had the opportunity to discuss a high standard scientific content on a wide range of topics.

The social program included a visit to the medieval city and a gala diner, giving the participants a chance to relax and socialize.

Since the foundation in 1995, and aside from other meetings, the ACCLC has been organizing a congress every other year to discuss current topics and promote quality practice of clinical laboratory science. Other activities of the association can be viewed on the website (http://www.acclc.cat/) where also the on-line journal (www.acclc.cat/invitroveritas) can be found.