Name Responsible Activity "Laboratory for Genetics of Malignant Disorders" "Peter Vandenberghe" "The discovery and functional characterization of new, recurrent cytogenetic or molecular aberrations in malignant disorders are the most important research objectives of the laboratory for Genetics of Malignant Disorders. These research objectives connect almost seamlessly with the diagnostic, cytogenetic and molecular services which CME-UZ offers for nearly each malignant pathology: acute and chronic leukaemia, lymphomas, mesenchymal and epithelial tumors. The extensive bio-archive of relevant and well characterized pathological material that has been built up in the course of these activities forms an important asset. For this research we use the more traditional cytogenetic and molecular methods and the new genome-wide technologies (array CGH, SNP arrays, massive parallel sequencing,…). The identification of new recurrent mutations in malignant disorders allows the development of new tools for diagnosis and/or prediction of prognosis of specific malignant disorders.  Above all, new recurrent mutations frequently shed new light on the specific biological mechanisms underlying malignant transformation, and are thus very well suited for development of targeted therapy.Our current research domains are:Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasmsMyelodysplastic syndromesT-cell lymphomaNon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and Hodgkin’s lymphomGastrointestinal stromal tumorsThe research program for cancer genetics examines the molecular-genetic mechanisms underlying the origin of cancer, as well as its biological diversity and complexity. It searches for new insights in the many ways normal cellular behavior can transform into malignant behaviour. On these grounds the program wants to develop new molecular targets for specific therapy. The intensive interaction between basic research and clinical research in the group, and the many contacts with the involved disciplines inside and outside UZ Leuven, form important assets of this research program." "Laboratory of Cellular Transport Systems" "Peter Vangheluwe" "Research of the LabCTS team is focused on the molecular structure and function, the cell biological and (patho)physiological role of several members of the P-type ATPase family of transporters. These molecular machines generate vital ion or lipid transmembrane gradients across various biological membranes, driving many basic physiological processes. More specifically, our research concentrates on two classes of P-type ATPases.One class concerns the intracellular Ca2+ transporters SERCA and SPCA (P2-type ATPases), which contribute to crucial processes such as contraction, secretion, but also to vital decisions like cell growth, differentiation, multiplication and death.  Deranged P-type mediated active Ca2+ transport is associated with the genodermatoses known as diseases of Darier and Hailey-Hailey, but also with heart failure and cancer.Expertise in the field of Ca2+ transport ATPases is further valorized in the study of a novel, ubiquitous class of P-type ATPases, named P5-type. With an unknown substrate specificity they represent one of the last blind spots on the P-type ATPase map.  Here we focus in particular on ATP13A2, a lysosomal member associated with a Parkinsonism type of neuropathology known as Kufor-Rakeb syndrome." "Research Group for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy" "Veerle Baekelandt" "The laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy is committed to gain insight in the underlying pathology of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and more recently Multiple System Atrophy (MSA),  on both the molecular and cellular level. We are specifically focussing on the proteins α-synuclein and LRRK2, two key players in sporadic and familial PD.  The underlying idea is that better disease models and insights in the molecular pathogenesis are required to develop novel causal therapeutic strategies that can cure or slow down the disease. We make use of viral vector technology and molecular imaging as core technologies to support our research and to develop and characterize new cellular and rodent disease models. Finally, we are also investing in pre-clinical drug discovery through our neuro drug discovery platform.    " "Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking (VIB-KU Leuven)" "Wim Annaert" "The research in the Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking  is focused on the cell biology and trafficking of the g-secretase components. This multiprotein complex has been implicated in a new signal transduction paradigm, called Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis or RIP and is critical in a wide variety of important cellular activities including embryogenesis, brain development and haematopoiesis. RIP also plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease as it mediates the final step in the release of amyloid b from the amyloid precursor protein (APP)." "Laboratory of Reproductive Genomics" "Thierry Voet" "Our group focuses on:(1) The development of wet-lab and computational methods for single-cell multi-omics analyses –including genome, epigenome and transcriptome analyses of single cells– using microarray and next-generation sequencing technologies. We furthermore automate these methods using customised liquid handling robotics and microfluidics.(2) The application of these methods to study the nature, rate and mechanisms of DNA-mutation in primary tissues and the relation of somatic mutation to phenotype/disease development. We apply these methods to cells arising from the first cell divisions of life, to understand genomic instability in embryogenesis, up to postmitotic cells as neurons.(3) The application of these methods –which enable exposing the extent, nature and biology of cellular heterogeneity– to understand normal developmental processes, ageing processes and disease processes.(4) The translation of single-cell omics methodologies to the clinic. For instance, our group is expert in genome-wide haplotype reconstruction of single cells, which is now a generic method for embryo preimplantation genetic diagnosis in the clinic." "Research Group Molecular Neurobiology (VIB-KU Leuven)" "Patrik Verstreken" "Major research questions focus on cell type vulnerability and single-cell heterogeneity, protein aggregation and proteopathic stress, synaptic function, as well as microglial activation and neuroimmunology." "VIL - Flanders Innovation Cluster for Logistics" "Liesbeth GeyselsKris NeyensSteve SelEric Verlinden" "VIL as single point of contactVIL is appointed by the Flemish government as the single point of contact for the logistics sector. “VIL has a significant support of logistics companies, which makes it the ideal organisation to take the lead.”Flemish minister of Economicsand Innovation, Philippe MuytersOur goal is to create economic and social value for companies.VIL represents more than 500 companies and works along leading strategic partners and a network at home and abroad.  " "VIL - Flanders Innovation Cluster for Logistics" "Eric Verlinden" "VIL aims to enhance the competitiveness of Flemish companies in the logistics sector by implementing sustainable and innovative concepts and technologies. Enabling Flanders to retain and strengthen its position as a top region for logistics in Europe.MAKING FLANDERS THE EUROPEAN POWER HOUSE IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN Sustainable – Digital- Agile" "Laboratory of Growth Control and Cancer Research (VIB-KU Leuven)" "Georg Halder" "The Laboratory of Growth Control and Cancer Research conducts reasearch on the mechanisms that control organ size. Currently they focus on three main topics: 1) How mechanical forces regulate cellular behavior and the Hippo pathway, 2) The regulation of cell competition and the role of the Hippo pathway therein, and 3) The role of the Hippo pathway in cancer cell dormancy. These three projects are highly related and interconnected and aim at understanding the extracellular signals that regulate the Hippo pathway and how Hippo signaling and other pathways are normally involved in growth control and regeneration and how misregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to cancer." "Industrial Microbiology" "Luc De Vuyst" "The research group Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (formerly Industrial Microbiology, Fermentation Technology and Downstream Processing; IMDO) has been created in October 1994. It originates from the subunit of Biochemical Engineering of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry. The research theme deals with 'Research and Development for a Healthy Diet'. The establishment of IMDO meant the actual start of research in food biotechnology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, which is nowadays one of the keystones of the university's research in applied biological sciences/bioengineering sciences. IMDO conquered a very specific niche in the field of industrial food biotechnology, i.e. the qualitative and quantitative (mathematical modelling) study of starter cultures (lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, coagulase-negative staphylococci, bifidobacteria, and yeasts) with particular functionalities, within the area of food fermentation, food safety, and human health. IMDO specialised in (spontaneous) food fermentations, process control, and predictive microbiology. Research of IMDO focuses on the microbial ecology of spontaneous food fermentation processes, production of fine chemicals (organic acids, bacteriocins, exopolysaccharides, aromas) and enzyme activities for application in the food industry, both fermentative production processes and their downstream processing, and in situ production processes using functional, multiple starter cultures (bacteriocin-producing starters for cheese, sausage and sourdough manufacture, exopolysaccharide-producing strains for the production of yoghurt and other fermented milk drinks, aroma-producing starter cultures in cheese, sourdough, cocoa, and coffee fermentation). Human health-related topics encompass probiotics and prebiotics as functional foods (antimicrobial potential, underlying mechanisms, microbiological and technological aspects of commerical preparations). In general, the current research topics are: - Exploration of the species diversity and functional analysis (metabolite target analysis, transcriptome analysis) of traditional, artisan fermented foods (dairy products, meat products, sourdoughs, cocoa, vegetables, sour beers): food ecosystem biodiversity, taxonomy, new taxa, new molecules (metabolites); - polyphasic analysis of the population dynamics (culture-dependent and culture-independent) and metabolite kinetics of microbial food ecosystems; - selection of interesting starter cultures or bioprotective cultures, based on physiological and technological characterization of new, natural food isolates; - analysis of the interactions between fucntional starter cultures or bioprotective cultures and the food matrix, including elements from the background microbiota; - mathematical description of the behaviour (growth and product formation), functionality, interactions, and competitiveness of functional starter cultures (lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, coagulase-negative staphylococci, bifidobacteria, and yeasts) and bioprotective cultures of lactic acid bacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci (positive predictive modelling) in simulated food fermentations (milk, meat, cereals, cocoa, coffee) and/or modified-atmosphere-packaged meat products; - linking the species diversity of fermented foods, the microbial fermentation process, and the quality of the food product (food qualitomics); - relationship between milk quality and udder health concerning coagulase-negative staphylococci; antimicrobial potential of probiotic bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (molecular identification); - mechanistic elucidation of the bifidogenic and butyrogenic effects of inulin-type fructans as prebiotic substrates: (non)selective degradation, butyrate production, gas formation; - development and valorisation of new, functioal starter cultures, bioprotective cultures, and efficacious pro- and prebiotics; - development of industrial food fermentation processes (yoghurt, cheese, fermented sausage, sourdough, cocoa, coffee, water kefir) incorporating superior artisan quality and health-promoting characteristics."