To stay at the forefront of life sciences research, it’s essential for VIB to explore bold ideas, take intelligent risks, and pursue scientific breakthroughs that can transform the field.

VIB’s researchers are the driving force of our institute as they conduct the scientific investigations that are at the heart of our mission. They explore new ideas and push the boundaries of scientific knowledge. VIB research is inspired by societal challenges such as healthy living and enhancing sustainable food production. VIB scientists develop new treatments and diagnostic tools to improve human health, and they address climate-related issues by gaining new insights into plant growth and development.

In 2022, the research findings of VIB scientists were widely published. Examples of such research papers include the publication of the Fly Cell Atlas, which constitutes a valuable resource for the research community as a reference for gene function studies at single-cell resolution. Another study produced the first comprehensive liver atlas, mapping the potential cellular crosstalk between different liver cell types and their spatial location within the liver. Discover the many scientific highlights in the ‘Science with impact’ section.

On the technology front, the continued investments in VIB Technologies ensure that their offering reflects the changing life sciences landscape. Including the Core Facility program and Tech Watch, VIB Technologies provides the research community with cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell omics, that unite researchers across disciplines.

Despite the difficult investment climate, the Innovation & Business team was able to accomplish an impressive outcome with one new startup, Bar.on, a new investment fund, Biotope Ventures, and significant R&D collaborations and licensing agreements with companies such as iTeos Therapeutics and Springworks Therapeutics.

The Grand Challenges program (GCP) continued its trajectory of the previous years and launched its fourth project call in June. As before, outreach activities were an important part of the GCP. The GCP project teams launched several initiatives, such as reverse science cafés in which stakeholders (patients, farmers) engage in dialogue with experts (clinicians, scientists), citizen science events, and patient activities.

One of the milestones in 2022 was undoubtedly that Jo Bury passed the torch to Christine Durinx after more than 25 years at the helm of VIB. The appointment of Christine as Co-Managing Director, the former Joint Executive Director of the SIB, Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics, strengthens VIB’s commitment to focus on the burgeoning fields of data science and personalized health.The future of life sciences research and technology transfer holds great promise. I firmly believe that VIB has the people, capabilities, and expertise to stay at the forefront of life sciences research and continue to impact society at large.