Name Responsible Activity "VIB CMN - Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) lab" "Renzo Mancuso" "Microglia and neuroinflammation play a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Our primary focus is to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with special focus on inflammatory networks and particularly the contribution of microglia. We use mouse models, iPSC and cutting-edge humanised mouse systems to determine the immune component of these disorders and determine how genetics alter microglial function and contribute to the initiation and perpetuation of brain disease." "Annaert Lab" "Annaert Wim" "Understanding the molecular biology of membrane transport in a disease-related context covering Alzheimer’s disease and congenital disorders of glycosylation type II." "Renzo Mancuso Lab" "Renzo Mancuso" "Examining the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), with special focus on inflammatory networks and particularly the contribution of microglia." "VIB CMN - Applied and Translational Neurogenomics" "Rosa Rademakers" "Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) represents 10-20% of all dementias and is clinically important because of its early onset and its dramatic impact on core human qualities, including personality, insight and verbal communication. Research in our group is focused on the discovery and functional characterization of novel disease genes implicated in FTD and related disorders. Our group leads world-wide consortia focused on two important pathological subtypes of FTD. Starting from blood or brain tissue samples, we combine genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic analyses to identify genes and pathways implicated in disease. We also leverage our genetic findings to further the understanding of FTD and related disorders through the generation of cell and mouse models. Together our findings provide new insight into the pathomechanisms underlying FTD and contribute to the development of biomarkers and to the identification new targets for neurodegenerative disease therapies." "Biomedical Research Institute" "Niels HELLINGS" "BIOMED is a multidisciplinary institute where fundamental as well as applied scientific research, innovation and education are carried out in a stimulating academic environment within the domain of life sciences.High quality fundamental and applied research is performed in a limited number of selected core domains relevant to human health and disease. Scientific services are conducted in activity fields closely related to our research expertise. In addition to scientific and social valorisation, the economical aspect of the research results is pursued.The scientific and technological expertise present within BIOMED is also used for the scientific training of academics at our university. In addition, the institute aims at contributing to the social and economical development of the region by training promising young researchers in a stimulating academic environment. This is achieved through collaboration with the local health sector and by offering maximal support to the development and outgrow of economical projects within the life sciences sector." "Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases (VIB-KU Leuven)" "Bart De Strooper" "The Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases performes research into the fundamental molecular processes that underlay neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Their work has also contributed to insights into general physiologically mechanisms, in particular, the understanding of regulated intramembrane proteolysis as an important signaling mechanism in health and disease. They have demonstrated the role of regulated intramembrane proteolysis in Notch signaling via PS, in the regulation of apoptosis via PARL and in psychiatric neurodevelopmental disorder via Neuregulin cleavage by Aph1B γ-Secretase." "Experimental Neurobiology Unit (ENU)" "Tommas Ellender" "Our research unit aims to unravel the neurobiological mechanisms supporting complex behaviours such as movement, cognition and emotion by means of both experimental models and human participants. A major focus in our unit is elucidating the cellular and circuit mechanisms that give rise to neurological disorders in order to provide early diagnosis, improve treatment options and ultimately to prevent these debilitating conditions. By combining different areas of expertise within our different research teams, we are able to study the brain at various levels, ranging from single cells to neural circuits to whole brains and behaviour using combinations of techniques including electrophysiology, neurochemistry, neuroimaging and computational modelling." "Experimental Pharmacology" "Ilse Smolders" "In the research group Experimental Pharmacology the vast majority of scientists are trained in pharmacology and psychopharmacology. Our team has however a nice complementarity between a number of neuroscientists-pharmacologists engaged in preclinical research, a number of analytical experts looking for new sensitive methods for monitoring numerous neuromediators, brain biomarkers and pharmacological read-outs, and a number of colleagues who conduct mainly clinical pharmacological research. Our research group is part of the Center for Neuroscience (C4N) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (https://c4n.research.vub.be/en) 1/ Preclinical research in EFAREFAR has expertise with rodent models of seizures and refractory epilepsy, stress-related mental disorders such as anxiety and major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and more recently also multiple sclerosis. The neuromethods we use on a daily basis range from in vivo to ex vivo and in vitro approaches. We have a range of in vivo paradigms to assess convulsive behavior, stress coping, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, cognitive and motor function. We utilize electrophysiological approaches including in vivo telemetry-based 24h-EEG monitoring and ex vivo slice electrophysiology. We are renowned for in vivo monitoring of endogenous mediators from brain samples (e.g. microdialysis, COFM). We perform ex vivo analyses of rodent brain biomarkers and in vitro work on cultured neurons, astrocytes or microglia. We more recently started to work at the single cell level with patch clamp electrophysiology and transcriptomics. We make use of not only classical pharmacology and genetic models but adopt also novel state-of-the art technologies such as chemogenetics and photopharmacology and we recently developed expertise in transcranial electrical stimulation methods.The team of Ilse Smolders is mainly dedicated to find new therapeutic strategies for refractory epilepsy. Cognitive dysfunction is a core symptom in several neurological but also psychiatric disorders where it severely affects quality of life and predicts poor functional recovery. The team of Dimitri De Bundel studies rodent models in a range of behavioural tests to determine the mechanisms driving cognitive dysfunction and to explore potential therapeutic targets: NEUROMODULATION AND INFLAMMATION IN STRESS-RELATED MENTAL DISORDERS - VUB C4N.Ron Kooijman who is unfortunately approaching his retirement has always been a driving force for unravelling mechanisms of neuroinflammation in brain diseases: NEURO-INFLAMMATION, NEUROTROPHIC FACTORS AND NEUROPROTECTION - VUB C4N. 2/ Bioanalytical research in EFARNeuropharmacological research is strongly dependent on the availability of sensitive analysis methods for neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and biomarkers in brain samples of rodents. The development of newer, faster, better and more sensitive analysis methods is the challenge for the bioanalysts in our team, pharmacist Ann Van Eeckhaut and clinical biologist Ilse Weets. They apply targeted (e.g. sensitive LC-tandem mass spectrometry) and untargeted (e.g. metabolomics) analytical methods in their research. The team of Ann Van Eeckhaut focusses on bioanalytical challenges in basic neuroscience research. The teamof Ilse Weets performs biomarker research in the domains of metabolic diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.  3/ Clinical pharmacological research with a link to neuroscienceThe use of medicinal products during pregnancy, lactation and in young children calls for special caution. A risk assessment requires knowledge of the specific pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The team of Eline Tommelein focuses on the use of medicines during these phases of life, but also on the adequate treatment of pregnancy- or breastfeeding-related disorders. Another line of research of Eline Tommelein are the drug-related problems that can arise when medicines are used differently from how they were intended and she specifically focusses on interactions with alcohol use and smoking.Sofie Brouwers interest in hypertension and how it can be regulated by the brain is long standing. She is interested how brain mediators interact to control sympathetic tone and blood pressure and may be important in the pathogenesis of many forms of hypertension: CNS AND BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROLE - VUB C4N. She also carries out research into pharmacological treatments of high blood pressure to improve the outcome of difficult-to-control hypertensive patients." "Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences" "The Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences wants to train academics who build on the future healthcare. In education, the emphasis is therefore on knowledge and ability, on knowledge and skills. The Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences chooses high-quality fundamental and applied research in a limited number of selected core domains, and believes in the added value of multidisciplinarity. Through active cooperation with the local health sector and through maximum support for projects in the (bio)medical sciences, the faculty wishes to make an active contribution to the social and economic development of the region." "Immunobiology (Rega Institute)" "Patrick Matthys" "This unit operates in close association with the Division of Molecular Immunology (J. Van Damme). Together these teams investigate the immunobiology of inflammation, auto-immunity and cancer, with emphasis on the role of cytokines (interferons, interleukins, cytotoxins and chemokines) and cellular proteases (plasminogen activators, collagenases, etc.) Projects and milestones in this framework comprise: - Identification in molecular and biological terms of novel cytokines and extracellular proteases from natural sources, in particular leukocytes and tumor cells. - Elaboration of strategies for production of these molecules in pure form and for cloning and expression of their genes. - Clarification of the role of glycosylation in the biological function of the molecules under study. - Development of relevant biological and immunochemical assay systems. - Establishment and refinement of in vitro and in vivo model systems for studying the role of cytokines and proteases in diseases involving the immune system: infectious disease, allergy, auto-immune disease (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), cancer and organ transplantation. - Development genetically engineered anti-cytokine antibodies as an approach to develop anti-cytokine-based forms of therapy. - Advanced technology systems available in the unit include gas phase amino acid sequencing and automated nucleic acid sequencing and automated peptide systhesis."