High-content screening (HCS) implies multi-parameter analysis of (sub)populations of cells, single cells and subcellular events in a set-up compatible with high-throughput screening and automation. VIB, Ghent University and the Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG) make HCS technology accessible for the broad life sciences research community via the Centre for Bioassay Development and Screening (C-BIOS). The HCS platform at C-BIOS integrates confocal microscopy with liquid handling and a broad range of detection technologies for high-throughput applications. C-BIOS brings together scientists from the different fields of Life and Health Sciences and as such stimulates university-wide cross-disciplinary research. C-BIOS unites many years of expertise of the different partners regarding the development/automation of bioassays relevant for disease and/or biological pathways and subsequent high-throughput screening. C-BIOS provides operational support at the different levels of discovery; •Converting microscopic observations into high-content quantitative parameters • Miniaturizing and automating bioassays • Performing multi-parametric screenings in high-throughput mode • Biological profiling of drugs/compounds in disease-relevant bioassays C-BIOS offers the infrastructure and expertise to the academic research community and to biotech/pharma companies to support and strengthen strategic basic research and translational research. This joint effort between VIB, Ghent University and CRIG will open avenues to generate chemical tools/probes for the study of biological processes and to validate targets/modes-of-action for a range of disease areas. The activities of C-BIOS can be positioned in the early stages of drug/agro discovery.