Almost 500.000 euro VLAIO subsidy for StixFresh Flanders.

The administration of ketone bodies, an alternative energy source, stimulates the growth of lymph vessels and has substantial beneficial effects in conditions affecting the lymphatic system. These spectacular positive effects were found by the group of professor Peter Carmeliet (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology). The team has developed a dietary metabolic approach which will soon be tested in a clinical Phase II trial to treat lymphedema, a condition for which currently no cure exists. 

Each year, the Flemish government bestows awards upon certain individuals on July 11th. These ‘Eretekens’ are a tribute to people who have proven themselves exceptionally serviceable for Flanders, and who have made great contributions to the international prestige of the region.

A research team from Savvas Savvides’ lab in the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, led by Kenneth Verstraete, has unraveled the three-dimensional structure and molecular mechanism of ATP citrate lyase (ACLY). This is a central metabolic enzyme needed to produce acetyl-CoA which fuels essential biochemical processes in cells, such as the production of fatty acids and cholesterol. Their findings could help with targeting ACLY in cancer and metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis.

A lot of research in the life sciences relies on model organisms. Scientists often work with a specific plant, fungus, bacterium, mammal, invertebrate, or cell line. Decades of research have allowed each respective field to develop all the required tools to breed, test, and manipulate these model organisms. By studying them in close detail we have been able to develop an amazingly in-depth, yet continuously expanding, view on biology. 

The European Innovation Council (EIC) Taskforce of the European Commission aims to support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs with bright ideas to create societal and economic impact.  The ultimate goal of the EIC is to turn science into new businesses and to accelerate their scale-up pursuing high-risk high-reward innovations until commercial viability is reached. To do so, the European Commission has earmarked 12,2 B€ to the EIC in the period 2019-2027.

EU-LIFE points out the increasing lack of opportunities for collaborative research in biomedicine at a European level and highlights how this is endangering long-lasting, positive impact in health research for the benefit of citizens. Based on the analysis on the barriers regarding participation in collaborative health research in Horizon 2020, 6 recommendations aim at contributing to improvement for the upcoming seven-year cycle of Horizon Europe.

Since Christine Van Broeckhoven will be retiring as director of the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, we needed someone to replace her. Hers, however, are big shoes to fill. Fortunately, VIB managed to attract Rosa Rademakers, an alumnus of the center and former student of Christine. Rosa has made a name for herself on the international dementia research stage as professor at the renowned Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, Florida, US). Now, she returns home, backed by more than a decade of experience and a portfolio of the highest quality research, to start this new position as of the 15th of July. 

14 candidates, nominated by VIB employees and alumni, the VIB Alumni Board preselected three candidates. A jury of four distinguished emeriti – Marc Van Montagu, Désiré Collen, Joël Vandekerckhove and Hugo Van Heuverswyn – together with guest jury member Maggie De Block, Belgian Federal Minister of Public Health, named Lothar Steidler the winner of the second VIB Alumni Award. Lothar Steidler is currently Chief Technology Officer at ActoBio Therapeutics.

The VIB Discovery Sciences team bridges the gap between academic research and product development. Translating novel targets, emerging from research of VIB research groups into promising projects of drug-development and agro-biotech innovations is its core business. And the team proves to be successful. Time to present this established track record through three novel collaboration models.