VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artificial intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture. Learn more at www.vib.be.

VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five...

Dutch

Dutch (Belgium)

English

English (Global)

India Jane Wise

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt samen met de vijf Vlaamse universiteiten en diverse partners in de biotechsector en doet onderzoek in plantenbiologie, kanker, neurowetenschap, microbiologie, ontstekingsziekten, artificiële intelligentie en meer. VIB verbindt wetenschap met ondernemerschap en stimuleert zo de groei van de Vlaamse biotech. Het instituut draagt bij aan oplossingen voor maatschappelijke uitdagingen, zoals nieuwe methoden voor diagnose en behandeling en landbouwinnovaties. Meer info op www.vib.be. 

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt...

Joran Lauwers

French

French (Belgium)

#475569

Data Protection Authority

A Belgian research team explores how genetic switches controlling gene activity define brain cell types across species.

Scientists use deep learning to compare gene regulation in different cell types of human and chicken brains

A new view on 300 million years of brain evolution

Leuven, 14 February 2025 – In a new study published in Science, a Belgian research team explores how genetic switches controlling gene activity define brain cell types across species. They trained deep learning models on human, mouse, and chicken brain data and found that while some cell types are highly conserved between birds and mammals after millions of years of evolution, others have evolved differently. The findings not only shed new light on brain evolution; they also provide powerful tools for studying how gene regulation shapes different cell types, across species or different disease states.

Researchers revealed a mechanism involving protein aggregation that allows bacteria to enter a dormant state

New study uncovers mechanisms of bacterial dormancy involving protein aggregation

Leuven, 28 January 2025 – Researchers at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology and the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research revealed a mechanism involving protein aggregation that allows bacteria to enter a dormant state, a phenomenon that is associated with the persistence of infections and the challenge of antibiotic resistance. Their work appears in Nature Communications.

Liver immune cells are not static following an injury, as previously thought, but they adapt to the new microenvironment and participate in tissue repair

Specific types of liver immune cells are required to deal with injury

Ghent, 24 January 2025 – Our livers contain many different types of immune cells. New research by the team of Prof. Charlotte Scott (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) and colleagues now reveals that a specific activation state of one of these cell types is required for tissue repair following injury. This suggests these cells may be useful as new therapeutic targets for various liver conditions. The work appears in the journal Immunity.

7 January 2025, Leuven – Specific brain cells known as layer 5 pyramidal neurons play a vital role in how our brains process information. Research by the team of Prof. Joris de Wit (VIB-KU Leuven) and colleagues highlights the differences between two types of these brain cells —intratelencephalic (IT) neurons and pyramidal tract (PT) neurons—and how these differences may affect their vulnerability to conditions like autism and schizophrenia.

Research reveals unique features of brain cells linked to neurodevelopmental conditions

7 January 2025, Leuven – Specific brain cells known as layer 5 pyramidal neurons play a vital role in how our brains process information. Research...

The availability of the amino acid aspartate is one reason why the lung is a frequent organ of metastasis

Researchers reveal why the lung is a frequent site of cancer metastasis

Leuven, 2 January 2024 – Researchers from the lab of Prof. Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven) and colleagues have uncovered that the availability of the amino acid aspartate is one reason why the lung is a frequent organ of metastasis. Their work appears in Nature and improves our understanding of cancer biology while providing the foundation for new therapeutic interventions in metastatic diseases.

Leuven, 20 December 2024- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The average life span after diagnosis of this incurable disease is two to five years. In the relentless pursuit of understanding the cause of motor neuron death, scientists from KU Leuven and the VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research have identified an intriguing new lead: tiny, antenna-like structures 0n cells called primary cilia. Their study, published in Brain, could open a potential new avenue for therapeutic development.

Tiny antennas on cells offer new ALS insights

Leuven, 20 December 2024- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The average...

Leuven, Belgium, 17 December 2024 – Researchers at Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF), led by Prof. Vincent Bonin, have published two new studies uncovering how visual information is processed and distributed in the brain. The studies reveal the complexity and flexibility of visual information processing in the brain.

Leuven researchers discover new connectivity rules in the brain’s visual network

Leuven, Belgium, 17 December 2024 – Researchers at Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF), led by Prof. Vincent Bonin, have published two new...

Researchers from VIB, VUB, Ghent University, and eTheRNA Immunotherapies developed an immunotherapeutic platform based on lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs)

Therapeutic potential of a novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles overcomes tumor progression  

Brussels, 9 December 2024 – Therapeutic mRNAs offer great potential as a versatile and precise tool against cancer and other diseases. However, the therapeutic effectiveness is limited by the poor translation uptake of naked mRNA. To circumvent this challenge, researchers from VIB, VUB, Ghent University, and eTheRNA Immunotherapies developed an immunotherapeutic platform based on lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs). In different cancer models, applying a novel mixture of immunotherapeutic mRNA encapsulated in LNPs led to a clearly improved therapeutic efficacy with limited side effects. This proves the added value of the platform to the development of effective mRNA immunotherapies.

Catalyst for collaboration and biotechnological innovation

VUB and VIB launch new Bio Incubator Brussels on VUB campus

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and VIB have joined forces to launch the brand-new Bio Incubator Brussels (BIB) on the green VUB Main Campus in Etterbeek. This innovative hub brings together science, technology, and entrepreneurship to transform groundbreaking biotechnological advancements into new companies. Start-ups in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and health technology can now utilize this facility, which offers ready-to-use lab and office spaces. The VIB Nanobody Core Facility was the first to move in.

Researchers call for more women-specific drug research 

Does the menstrual cycle influence the effect of chemotherapy?

A team of Dutch and Belgian researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, and the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology has found that the menstrual cycle phase may influence the effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer. The finding highlights the importance of further research into the menstrual cycle, the effects of drugs on women versus men, and female-specific research in general.

A new view on 300 million years of brain evolution

New study uncovers mechanisms of bacterial dormancy involving protein aggregation

Specific types of liver immune cells are required to deal with injury

Research reveals unique features of brain cells linked to neurodevelopmental conditions

Researchers reveal why the lung is a frequent site of cancer metastasis

Tiny antennas on cells offer new ALS insights

Leuven researchers discover new connectivity rules in the brain’s visual network

Therapeutic potential of a novel mixture of mRNA in nanoparticles overcomes tumor progression

VUB and VIB launch new Bio Incubator Brussels on VUB campus

Does the menstrual cycle influence the effect of chemotherapy?

Contact us

India Jane Wise

Science Communications Expert, VIB

About VIB

Contact