VIB’s core mission is to generate disruptive insights in the molecular underpinning of life and to translate these actively into impactful innovations for patients and society. VIB is an independent research institute where some 1,800 top scientists from Belgium and abroad conduct pioneering basic research. As such, they are pushing the boundaries of what we know about molecular mechanisms and how they rule living organisms such as human beings, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Based on a close partnership with five Flemish universities – Ghent University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Hasselt University – and supported by a solid funding program, VIB unites the expertise of all its collaborators and research groups in a single institute. VIB’s technology transfer activities translate research results into concrete benefits for society such as new diagnostics and therapies and agricultural innovations. These applications are often developed by young start-ups from VIB or through collaborations with other companies. This also leads to additional employment and bridges the gap between scientific research and entrepreneurship. VIB also engages actively in the public debate on biotechnology by developing and disseminating a wide range of science-based information. More info can be found on www.vib.be.

VIB’s core mission is to generate disruptive insights in the molecular underpinning of life and to translate these actively into impactful...

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Joran Lauwers

Het is de kerntaak van VIB om baanbrekende inzichten te genereren in de moleculaire onderbouwing van het leven en deze actief te vertalen naar impactvolle innovaties voor patiënten en de maatschappij. VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut waar zo'n 1.800 topwetenschappers uit binnen- en buitenland baanbrekend fundamenteel onderzoek verrichten. In die hoedanigheid verleggen ze de grenzen van wat we weten over moleculaire mechanismen en hoe die levende organismen zoals mensen, dieren, planten en micro-organismen beheersen. Op basis van een nauw partnerschap met vijf Vlaamse universiteiten - Universiteit Gent, KU Leuven, Universiteit Antwerpen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel en Universiteit Hasselt - en ondersteund door een sterk financieringsprogramma, verenigt VIB de expertise van al haar medewerkers en onderzoeksgroepen in één enkel instituut. Via technologietransfer vertaalt VIB onderzoeksresultaten naar concrete toepassingen voor de maatschappij, zoals nieuwe diagnostica, geneesmiddelen en innovaties in de landbouw. Deze toepassingen worden vaak ontwikkeld door jonge startups van VIB of door samenwerkingen met andere bedrijven. Dit leidt ook tot extra werkgelegenheid en overbrugt de kloof tussen wetenschappelijk onderzoek en ondernemerschap. VIB neemt ook actief deel aan het publieke debat over biotechnologie door een brede waaier van wetenschappelijk onderbouwde informatie te ontwikkelen en te verspreiden. Meer info op www.vib.be.

Het is de kerntaak van VIB om baanbrekende inzichten te genereren in de moleculaire onderbouwing van het leven en deze actief te vertalen naar...

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Researchers discover that disabling autophagy in Tumor Endothelial Cells, inflames them and leads to a better immune response

Disabling autophagy can enhance immune response in melanoma 

28 November 2023 – Researchers at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology have gained unprecedented insights into the immunosuppressive role of autophagy in tumor endothelial cells (TEC). The team, led by Professor Patrizia Agostinis, found that inhibiting autophagy in the endothelial cells lining tumor blood vessels can inflame them and evoke an antitumor immune response. This could provide an additional strategy to help sensitize patients to immunotherapy. The results of this research were published in the prestigious scientific journal EMBO Molecular Medicine

Two new yeast strains on the market for brewing non-alcoholic beers

Belgian expertise helps Danish company revolutionize non-alcoholic brewing

Leuven 14 November 2023 — Chr. Hansen - a Danish multinational producing microbes for sustainable agriculture, better food and healthier living – will bring two new yeast strains on the market for brewing non-alcoholic beers. To find the best performing yeasts, the company contacted Kevin Verstrepen, director of the KU Leuven Beer Institute and head of VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology. With the help of Belgian yeast expertise, Chr. Hansen aims to set a higher bar for qualitative, traditional, and tasty non-alcoholic beer that will allow also smaller breweries to produce zero-alcohol beer in a sustainable, environment-friendly manner.

A new book reveals the secrets behind the success of the Flemish life sciences biotech industry

Biotech in Flanders - A Stunning Story  

Ghent/Leuven, 13 November 2023 – Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, is home to one of the most vibrant and innovative life sciences and biotech ecosystems in the world. Over the past 40 years, Flemish researchers and pioneers have made discoveries that today benefit over two million patients every year, and are used daily in agriculture, research labs and medical cabinets. How did this small region become a global leader in life sciences and biotechnology? What are the key factors that contributed to this remarkable development? Who are the pioneers and visionaries that shaped its history during the past 40 years? And what’s ahead for this thriving ecosystem?

Fucosylation – the addition of a fucose sugar to a molecule – has been identified as the driving force behind unbalanced Treg behavior in tumor microenvironment

Researchers discover cause of immunosuppressive behavior of regulatory T cells in cancer

Leuven, 13 November 2023 — A research team led by Professor Massimiliano Mazzone at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology discovered a biological process responsible for unbalancing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cancer. A research paper published in Cancer Immunology Research, details how the researchers found a metabolic switch that turns down the immune response of T cells against cancer cells, leading to a worse prognosis. The team also succeeded in preventing this process, increasing the effectiveness of the patient’s own immune system against cancer cells.

On Friday, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid visited the lab of Prof. Rosa Rademakers at the VIB-UAntwerpen Center for Molecular Neurology. In 2021, Rademakers was awarded the Generet Prize for her research on rare forms of dementia. This prize, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, carries a grant of 1 million euros, making it the most prestigious award for rare disease research in Belgium and Europe.

Princess Astrid visits the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology

On Friday, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid visited the lab of Prof. Rosa Rademakers at the VIB-UAntwerpen Center for Molecular Neurology. In...

Leuven/Brussels 19 October 2023 – Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms differ vastly between patients and frequently worsen over time. The course of the disease is largely unpredictable. Researchers of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel have now discovered a link between the gut microbiome and clinical disability worsening in MS. This could turn our microbiome into a potential biomarker to predict the course of MS. The results were published in Gut Microbes.

Belgian researchers demonstrate that the gut microbiome can help predict the course of multiple sclerosis

Leuven/Brussels 19 October 2023 – Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms...

Genes in the DNA of Pseudomonas bacteria are responsible for oximidine production

Leuven researchers discover potential anti-cancer agents in diseased fish 

12 October 2023 – A research team led by prof. Joleen Masschelein from the VIB – KU Leuven Center for Microbiology and the Department of Biology at KU Leuven, has discovered new potential anti-cancer agents. These substances are produced by Pseudomonas baetica, a bacterium that was isolated from the liver of a diseased flatfish. The results have been published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie.

Research illuminates profound influence of genetics on treatment response, the direct link between type 2 diabetes and reduction in lung function, and the pivotal role of the gastrointestinal tract in regulating blood sugar levels

Triple discovery unveils insights into type 2 diabetes

Surrey, 28 September - A research team led by Prof. Inga Prokopenko (the University of Surrey) and Dr. Vasiliki Lagou (VIB-KU Leuven) unveiled three significant discoveries about type 2 diabetes. This research has illuminated the profound influence of genetics on treatment response, uncovered the direct link between type 2 diabetes and reduction in lung function, and unraveled the pivotal role of the gastrointestinal tract in regulating blood sugar levels. The study’s findings have significant implications, ranging from personalized diabetes care to early detection of lung complications. Published in Nature Genetics, this extensive research engaged nearly half a million individuals from diverse backgrounds and harnessed the collective expertise of over a hundred scientists worldwide.

Collaboration to meet global needs of bioethanol industry

VIB and AB Biotek join forces to develop superior yeast strains for bioethanol production

AB Biotek, a division of Associated British Foods, has partnered with VIB, Flanders’ leading life sciences research institute, on research collaboration and the development of core inputs within the global bioethanol industry.

Neurons are triggered into programmed cell death following exposure to amyloid plaques and tau tangles

New study discovers how neurons die in Alzheimer’s disease

Leuven, 15 September 2023 – A research team led by Prof. Bart De Strooper (VIB-KU Leuven and the UK Dementia Research Institute) and Dr. Sriram Balusu (VIB-KU Leuven) has finally discovered how neurons die in Alzheimer’s disease. Subject of scientific discussion for the past decades, a breakthrough research paper published in Science illustrates how neurons initiate a programmed form of cell death, known as necroptosis, when they are exposed to amyloid plaques and tau tangles – the hallmark misfolded proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s. More importantly, the research team was able to prevent the death of neurons, rescuing them in the process. The discovery opens new pathways for potential future treatments.