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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Research reveals how leptin and its receptor work together to regulate hunger signals

Decoding the satiety signal

The protein hormone leptin signals our brains that we are full and can stop eating. To send that signal, leptin has to bind to a receptor on the cells that need to receive the message. Researchers at the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, collaborating with colleagues at Osnabruck University (Germany) and the Belgian biotechnology company PUXANO, have now revealed how leptin and its receptor work together. Their arresting research results appear in the leading scientific journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology and may spark new approaches in treating obesity, a major metabolic condition worldwide.

Leuven, 23 March – Mutations in two proteins, called alpha-synuclein and tau, cause brain cell loss in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Some brain cells are more vulnerable to these proteins than others, but it was, until now, unclear whether this was due to the cell types’ intrinsic properties or because they produce more of these proteins. Now, the group of Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research) found evidence that some brain cells are more susceptible to disease-causing alpha-synuclein and tau. By studying which genes are involved in this vulnerability, the researchers hope to identify potential targets for therapies to treat these diseases.

Uncovering cell resilience in neurodegenerative diseases

Leuven, 23 March – Mutations in two proteins, called alpha-synuclein and tau, cause brain cell loss in patients with neurodegenerative diseases...

TRAIL proteins function as gatekeepers for vascular barrier integrity and blocks entry of cancer cells to metastatic sites

Reinforcing endothelial TRAIL protects against cancer metastasis

Leuven, 23 March 2023 – Researchers from the lab of Prof. Max Mazzone (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology) have discovered that the family of TRAIL proteins in the endothelium plays a role in metastasis. Moreover, researchers demonstrated that counteracting TRAIL receptor DR5 in endothelial cells and promoting exogenous expression of TRAIL via mRNA technology can protect against breast cancer metastasis. The discovery is an important step toward the future development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent cancer metastasis.

VIB's Data Core will enable breakthrough research by efficiently managing research data

VIB launches Data Core to support life sciences research

Ghent, Belgium, 16 March 2023 – Leading life sciences research institute VIB launches its Data Core to provide researchers the tools to manage the increasing amount of data generated in life sciences research. New technologies have led to an exponentially increasing amount of data in the life sciences. The mission of VIB's Data Core is to enable breakthrough research by managing research data efficiently while adhering to international standards.

Linking actin bundling to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

New protein function could explain cause of neurological disease

Banner image: Time-lapse image showing free actin filaments (left) gradually being organized into bundles and cables by the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

Targeting KRAS with Pept-ins™: a new therapeutic strategy for difficult-to-drug proteins

New study shows how protein aggregation can help fight cancer

Banner image: cancer-targeting Pept-ins™ ©Aelin Therapeutics

Astrocytes discovered to be critical in the abnormal immune response of ALS

New model identifies key player in ALS

Ludo Van Den Bosch wins the Generet Award for Rare Diseases

One million euros for research into motor neuron disease ALS

The Generet Award for Rare Diseases, now in its fifth year, has been awarded to Ludo Van Den Bosch for his research into the underlying mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare form of motor neuron disease. This award from the Generet Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, is accompanied by a grant of €1 million, making it the most prestigious prize in Belgium for work on rare diseases. The jury of independent experts praised Van Den Bosch's ambition to improve patients’ lives with ALS through his research.

Ghent, 9 February 2023 – biotope by VIB, the incubator program by Flanders’ leading life sciences research institute, VIB, today announced the launch of its pre-seed venture fund ‘Biotope Ventures’. The venture fund is unique in its kind, providing investments to early-stage agrifood and health biotech startups to help them leap from concept to a viable business. The fund will help biotech entrepreneurs to narrow the gap between science and practical applications by providing financing to de-risk their early innovations. VIB foresees that the combination will boost the Flanders-based biotech ecosystem with new participants and invites further private investors to join the effort.

Launch of Biotope Ventures empowers young biotech startups in the biotope by VIB program

Ghent, 9 February 2023 – biotope by VIB, the incubator program by Flanders’ leading life sciences research institute, VIB, today announced the...

Too much salt can disrupt the energy metabolism in regulatory immune cells

Excess salt cuts energy supply of immune regulators

Eating too much salt is not only bad for our blood pressure and cardiovascular system. It could also impact the immune system. An international research team, coordinated by scientists at VIB and Hasselt University (Belgium), as well as the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin (Germany), now reports in Cell Metabolism that salt can disturb important immune regulators called regulatory T cells by upsetting their energy metabolism. The findings may provide new avenues to explore the development of autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.