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...

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Explore the fascinating science of the brain

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...

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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.

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...

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...

Leuven, 3 December 2024 – Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that slowly robs people of their memory and cognitive abilities, affecting millions of people worldwide. Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), a rare inherited form of the disease, is linked to mutations in several genes, including APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. The impact of PSEN2 mutations has remained less understood—until now. A research team led by Prof. Wim Annaert at VIB-KU Leuven has shed light on how mutated PSEN2 accelerates disease progression in FAD. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, offer new insights into the mechanisms driving this genetic form of the disease.

The genetic roots of rare mutations in Alzheimer’s disease

Leuven, 3 December 2024 – Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that slowly robs people of their memory and cognitive abilities...

Alzheimer researchers uncover protective pathway in mice 

Can we protect nerve cells from dying? 

Leuven, October 31st - Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a progressive loss of nerve cells leading to a decline in memory and cognition. A team of researchers at KU Leuven and VIB explored the molecular sequence of events in this cellular demise and identified specific inhibitors that could prevent the loss of nerve cells in different mouse models of the disease. The findings open up new research avenues in the search for therapies that could halt or prevent the accumulation of brain damage occurring in Alzheimer’s.

Human-specific genes regulate key gene mutated in autism spectrum disorders 

Scientists discover unexpected link between genes involved in human brain evolution and developmental disorders

Leuven, 14 October 2024 - The human brain’s remarkably prolonged development is unique among mammals and is thought to contribute to our advanced learning abilities. Disruptions in this process may explain certain neurodevelopmental diseases. Now, a team of researchers led by Prof. Pierre Vanderhaeghen (VIB-KU Leuven), together with scientists of Columbia University and Ecole Normale Supérieure, has discovered a link between two genes present only in human DNA and a key gene called SYNGAP1, which is mutated in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. Their study, published in Neuron, provides a surprisingly direct link between human brain evolution and neurodevelopmental disorders.

A team of scientists led by Prof. Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven) has identified a new genetic mutation that may cause a form of early-onset Parkinsonism. The mutation, located in a gene called SGIP1, was discovered in an Arab family with a history of Parkinson's symptoms that began at a young age. The study reveals that this mutation affects how brain cells communicate, providing new insights into the disease's development and potential treatment strategies.

New mutation linked to early-onset Parkinsonism

A team of scientists led by Prof. Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven) has identified a new genetic mutation that may cause a form of early-onset...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The average life span after diagnosis is two to five years. A collaborative research effort led by the team of Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch (VIB-KU Leuven) now revealed a potential new therapeutic target for ALS. The study, published in Cell Reports, shows that downregulating a specific enzyme, EGLN2, protects motor neurons and mitigates ALS symptoms in different animal models.

Researchers identify new potential therapeutic target for ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The average life span after diagnosis...

Leuven, 7 August 2024—The mechanisms underlying intellectual disabilities or autism remain largely unknown. Researchers in the labs of Prof. Pierre Vanderhaeghen and Prof. Vincent Bonin at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research and NERF have discovered that mutations in a gene called SYNGAP1 disrupt the prolonged development of human neurons, which is thought to be essential for normal cognitive function. Their work has interesting implications for our understanding and treatment development for intellectual disabilities or autism and appears in Neuron.

When faster is not better: New study links premature development of human neurons to brain developmental disorders 

Leuven, 7 August 2024—The mechanisms underlying intellectual disabilities or autism remain largely unknown. Researchers in the labs of Prof...

Leuven, 18 June 2024 - Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains one of the most challenging and prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, affecting millions worldwide. In two recent studies, researchers led by Prof. Lucía Chávez Gutiérrez (VIB-KU Leuven), Prof. William Mobley (UCSD, USA), and Prof. Carsten Hopf (CeMOS, Mannheim, Germany) shed light on the role of toxic protein fragments and plaque composition in AD, offering valuable insights for future research and potential treatments.

Researchers unravel complexities of Alzheimer’s disease in protein fragments and plaque diversity

Leuven, 18 June 2024 - Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains one of the most challenging and prevalent neurodegenerative disorders, affecting millions...

Leuven, 14 June 2024 - Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists have long suspected a protein called FUS might play a role, but the exact mechanism remained a mystery. A new study by the lab of Prof. Sandrine Da Cruz published in Molecular Neurodegeneration reveals how the FUS protein behaves in these diseases, which is crucial for potential therapeutic interventions.

Study reveals key protein’s role in ALS and frontotemporal dementia

Leuven, 14 June 2024 - Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two devastating neurodegenerative diseases. ...

Neuroscience