Hidden protein recycling hubs discovered inside human sperm cells
New study reveals unexpected structures that may help shape fertility and early embryonic development
Latest stories
How plants evolved a molecular switch to cope with heat
Ghent, 26 August – As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves, plants face growing challenges to survive and remain productive. Researchers at VIB, Ghent University, KU Leuven, and their international collaborators have now uncovered an evolutionary innovation that helps plants cope with high temperatures. Published in Nature Plants, the study uncovers a molecular mechanism that helps plants stay cool under heat stress and could help researchers identify new ways to strengthen crop resilience.
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Mapping plant-fungus symbiosis, cell by cell
Ghent, 18 August 2026 – Scientists at VIB and Ghent University have produced the first high-resolution, cell-by-cell map of how tomato roots respond to colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These ancient fungal partners help plants absorb nutrients from the soil. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals the precise molecular programs that unfold as the symbiosis progresses through different stages, and identifies promising new genetic regulators that could one day be used to engineer more efficient, sustainable crops.
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3D genome mapping in rare immune cells reveals new Crohn’s disease genes
Antwerp, 4 August 2026 - A new study co-led by Prof. Valeriya Malysheva, group leader at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, has been published in Nature Genetics. The work uncovers how the three-dimensional organization of DNA in rare immune cells can help explain genetic risk for Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune conditions.
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How our body's natural recycling system could help reduce inflammation
Leuven, Belgium, 28 July 2026 – Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven, together with international collaborators, have discovered that blocking autophagy – the body's natural recycling system for worn-out cell components – in specialized blood vessels can reduce inflammation in mice with psoriasis. Unlike many current therapies, this strategy reduces inflammation without weakening the immune system. The findings, published in the journal Immunity, reveal a promising new approach for treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Fatty liver drives a more dangerous form of cancer spread
Leuven, 1 July 2026 – Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven, with international partners, have uncovered how fatty liver disease can fuel the most aggressive form of metastatic colorectal cancer. The findings, which appear in the leading journal Nature, not only explain why some patients face dramatically poorer outcomes but also highlight how metabolic conditions such as fatty liver disease may directly influence cancer progression, paving the way for more precise therapies tailored to a patient’s metabolic health.
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Researchers identify a key biological tipping point in Alzheimer’s disease
Leuven, 4 June 2026 – Researchers from VIB, KU Leuven, the UK-DRI and Muna Therapeutics, funded by, among others, ERC, have uncovered a critical biological transition that may determine whether Alzheimer’s disease pathology leads to dementia. Studying brain tissue from older adults with and without cognitive decline, as well as cognitively healthy centenarians, the team identified distinct cellular programs and immune-cell states associated with disease progression and resilience. Their findings, published in Nature Medicine, suggest that changes in microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—could represent an important target for future Alzheimer’s therapies.
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Prof. Diether Lambrechts (KU Leuven/VIB) receives the Francqui-Collen Prize 2026
Brussels, June 2, 2026 – Prof. Dr. Diether Lambrechts (KU Leuven/VIB) and Prof. Dr. Patrice Cani (UCLouvain) are the laureates of the Francqui-Collen Prize 2026, one of the highest scientific distinctions in Belgium. Today, they receive the award from the hands of King Philippe. Prof. Lambrechts is being honored for his groundbreaking genetic research into cancer treatments, while Prof. Cani is recognized for his discoveries regarding the impact of gut bacteria on lifestyle-related diseases.
Comprehensive atlas maps dendritic cells across cancers
Brussels, 01 June 2026 — Researchers from VIB, VUB, and an international network of collaborators have created the most comprehensive single-cell atlas to date of tumor-associated dendritic cells. By integrating data from 14 mouse tumor models and 10 human cancer types, the study provides a detailed, cross-species view of how these key immune cells are organized and altered in cancer. This work, which appeared in Nature Communications, can guide the development of next-generation therapies.
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