CURING DISEASE NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH IN LEUVEN, BELGIUM
CENTER FOR BRAIN & DISEASE RESEARCH DISCOVER OUR........... Our Center’s annual Science Day 2023 SCIENCE p.4-5 LABS p.6-10 VIRTUAL TOUR p.10 SUPPORT p.11 TECHNOLOGY p.12-13 IMPACT p.14-15 COMMUNITY p.16-17 NETWORK p.18-19 DAY-TO-DAY p.20-21 LEGACY p.22-23 LEUVEN, BELGIUM We are based in the city of Leuven in Belgium. Leuven consistently tops international rankings as the most innovative city and university in Europe. Understanding how our nervous system drives our senses, thoughts and behavior— and how it loses these abilities in disease—is the goal we set ourselves at the Center for Brain & Disease Research, and our teams are making immense progress taking multidisciplinary approaches to unlocking the secrets of the brain. But the journey doesn’t stop at generating knowledge. Our objective is to make lasting scientific contributions with societal impact. Embedded within both VIB and at KU Leuven university we are creating one of the most exciting locations worldwide to pursue original ideas and train new generations of scientists. At any level of our organization, we have designed our state-of-the-art facilities and community initiatives to foster collaboration and interaction. Creativity and ideas spark where different backgrounds meet and unlocking the secrets of the brain will require the brightest minds from all continents. We embrace diversity because it empowers our work. We aim to build a vibrant and interactive neuroscience community, locally and globally. We take pride in excellent communication at all levels, and in our enthusiasm, openness, collaboration, inclusion and diversity. We are the Center for Brain & Disease Research! 2 3
Background Image: Tubb5 labeling with endogenous tagging in the cortex. In green you see tubulin from cortical excitatory neurons, in pink is a fluorescent protein used for injection marker, and in blue is a DAPI staining. Image by Blanca Lorente Echeverría and Dan Dascenco (Joris De Wit Lab). FIVE THEMES SPAN OUR RESEARCH QUESTIONS Neuronal and Neurodegenerative Disease Toxic Protein Assemblies Neuronal and neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of people worldwide. For most of these diseases there are no cures. We are working hard to understand the mechanistic basis of these diseases with the ultimate aim of developing therapies. We have uncovered exciting new avenues in the context of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ALS, and together with the translational team of VIB, they are pursuing these targets further. The biophysical properties of some proteins allow them to sometimes separate in droplets in the cytoplasm or aggregate in an insoluble mass. These features are relevant because pathological studies in human patients show protein aggregates in many neurodegenerative diseases. We study how these protein assemblies can form, their functional consequences and what their therapeutic challenges are. Brain Development & Repair The Brain at Single-Cell Resolution Developmental processes define neuronal and glial subtypes, but how neuron number and brain size are controlled is not known. Our researchers are looking for human-specific developmental processes and aim to understand how the brain is shaped, from the fundamentals of cell type-specific developmental processes to delineating the code of neuronal wiring and synapse formation. The brain is the most complex organ in our body and we are only now starting to discover the full diversity of cell types that exist in the brain. Our researchers are now pursuing questions that address the cellular changes during disease, ageing and behavior. We also work on the next generation of technologies to measure cellular function at much higher resolution and to maintain spatial information of the location of the cells in the brain. Synapses, Connections and Behavior The computational processes of the nervous system that direct behavior are only possible because of trillions of synaptic connections in the brain. Our researchers elucidate how these connections are established, and unravel the underlying mechanisms of synaptic specificity, stability, plasticity and function. We exploit our knowledge of brain wiring to create induced human neuronal circuits to study how neuronal computation is affected in human disease. 4 5
LABORATORY OF COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY We are interested in decoding the genomic regulatory code and understanding how genomic regulatory programs drive dynamic changes in cellular states, both in normal and disease processes. Stein Aerts is also Director of VIB.AI: the VIB Center for Computational Biology and AI. our LABS WIM ANNAERT THE SCIENTISTS BEHIND THE SCIENCE LABORATORY FOR MEMBRANE TRAFFICKING Our laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular biology of membrane transport in a disease-related context covering Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body diseases. LUCÍA CHÁVEZ-GUTIÉRREZ LABORATORY OF PROTEOLYTIC MECHANISMS We want to generate a quantitative understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease pathogenicity, more specifically the biochemical function of the molecules involved in familial Alzheimer’s disease. SANDRINE DA CRUZ LABORATORY OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGY Julian Diender, Research Technician in the Laboratory of Interneuron Developmental Dynamics 6 We study the role of local axonal translation in neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We develop new therapeutic targets to treat neuromuscular disorders including ALS. 7
SHA LIU LABORATORY FOR THE RESEARCH OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES LABORATORY OF SLEEP AND SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY We study the basic mechanisms causing Alzheimer’s disease, particularly the complex cellular phase of Alzheimer’s using singlecell, genome-wide transcription profiling with spatial and temporal resolution. The goal of our lab is to understand the synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying sleep and its function in the brain. FREDERIC ROUSSEAU & JOOST SCHYMKOWITZ JORIS DE WIT LABORATORY OF SYNAPSE BIOLOGY SWITCH LAB Our lab aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that control neuronal connectivity in developing circuits, and determine how perturbations in this process affect cognitive function. ESTHER KLINGLER LUDO VAN DEN BOSCH LABORATORY OF EMOTIONAL NEURON CIRCUIT DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY OF NEUROBIOLOGY We focus on the mechanisms of acute and chronic axonal and neuronal degeneration and regeneration. We contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS. We study how emotions emerge during development, what controls the diversity of emotional circuits, and to which extent this relies on intrinsic factors or on past experience. LYNETTE LIM LABORATORY OF INTERNEURON DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS We study the metabolic and transcriptomic programmes that shape neuronal diversity and circuit assembly in the developing mammalian cortex. 8 We study the mechanisms of protein folding and misfolding, particularly how protein aggregation affects the interactome by suppressing native interactions and introducing novel aggregation-specific interactions. PIERRE VANDERHAEGHEN STEM CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY LABORATORY We aim to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development and evolution of the cerebral cortex, from stem cells to neuronal circuits, from mouse to human, in health and disease. 9
Ilse Lambeau, VIB and KU Leuven Liaison LABORATORY OF NEURONAL COMMUNICATION The earliest stages of neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by synaptic problems. We probe into the diverse molecular mechanisms at the basis of neuronal degeneration and synaptic dysfunction, and how we can reverse this. THOMAS VOETS LABORATORY OF ION CHANNEL RESEARCH We focus on TRP channels, which includes 27 human members. There is a striking diversity in the stimuli that can regulate the gating of the TRP channels, which include physical stimuli such as temperature and voltage, as well as various endogenous and exogenous chemical ligands. CURIOUS ABOUT OUR LABS? TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR! 360.cbd.vib.be Sha Liu, Group Leader of the Laboratory of Sleep and Synaptic Plasticity 10 11
WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE Neuroscience is a quickly evolving field, driven by the development of new technologies and the advances in complex data analysis. Single Cell Advanced Microscopy We have access to numerous confocal microscopes and super-resolution systems, slide scanners, high content screening, and 3D whole organ imaging (e.g. light sheet microscopes) as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopes, light and electron microscopy-combined systems and block face scanning electron microscopy solutions. We offer a wide and growing range of applications for single cell research, including single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics. We work closely with the VIB Nucleomics Core and KU Leuven Genomics Core, and with connections within the Bioinformatics Interest Group at KU Leuven and the High Performance Computing node at the Flemish Super Computer Center. BEST TECH AND EXPERTISE At our Center, we follow this evolution closely and realize the importance of easy access to the newest technologies and the importance of technology development. Human Models Genomics & Nucleomics Through both our host institutes, VIB and KU Leuven, there is access to nextgeneration sequencing technologies and analysis. There are personalized expert services available for expression analysis, RNA and DNA sequencing, including both short (Illumina) and long read sequencing (Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore) technologies. State-of-the-art cell culture facilities on each floor of our Center allow us to culture and manipulate animal and human iPS cells. Our histology labs has several vibratomes and microtomes. Several labs are developing novel models of human brain function, for example the Verstreken lab’s Brain on Chip and Vanderhaeghen’s human-mouse chimeras. Flow Cytometry Biophysics This unit provides access to a broad portfolio of flow cytometer analyzers, FACS cell sorters, and multiplexing devices. The staff is available to help users with the design, acquisition, and analysis of their experiments. The core actively scouts for emerging technologies and applications. The biophysics platform helps researchers in the Center by providing biophysical and structural insight into biological phenomena that are driven by protein folding, aggregation and interactions. Our equipment enables the latest in biophysics and protein analysis. Animal Models We provide rodent facilities and knowhow, offering an expanding toolbox of behavioural assays, genome engineering, reproductive techniques, and more. In addition, the Liu Laboratory has an in-house fly workshop to study sleep behaviour, while the Van Den Bosch Laboratory hosts an aquatic facility to generate zebrafish models for researching ALS. 12 Electrophysiology We help researchers within the center with cutting-edge electrophysiology systems and expert knowledge to support ongoing research projects with refined research contributions. Researchers have access to several patch and field recording rigs with uncaging capacity as well as multi-electrode array systems and multiphoton microscopy. Mass Spectrometry These facilities possess unique expertise in tracer-based metabolomics, which can deliver crucial insights into the activity of metabolic pathways. Using high resolution mass spectrometry, metabolomics (including spatial metabolomics), proteomics and lipidomics, the fate of labeled isotopes can be tracked throughout the metabolic network. Neuroengineering In our dedicated workshop, the neuroengineering unit designs, creates and builds optical, electrical and mechanical instruments in collaboration with the research labs and expertise centers in support of experimental neuroscience research. This unit is run in collaboration with NeuroElectronics Research Flanders (NERF). 13
Our Center’s research was at the basis of the foundation of several new Belgian and international biotech start-ups. Some are operating in stealth mode, and several are growing fast. The Business Development team looks for partnerships to achieve academia-toindustry transition for innovations, and to translate scientific findings into products for patients. FLYING TECHNICIANS ALS patients being given a tour of our Center for World ALS Awareness Day by the Laboratory of Neurobiology BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DISCOVERY SCIENCES Dedicated research associates at our Center provide expert hands-on help to build strong data packages facilitating transfer to the private sector or drug screening. The VIB Discovery Sciences team initiatives and guides the transformation of scientific insights into projects that could deliver novel therapeutics. DRUG SCREENING PATENT PORTFOLIO Our researchers work with well-staffed expert facilities - the VIB Screening Core and KU Leuven Center for Drug Design & Discovery (CD3) - to translate our basic biological findings into novel pharmaceutical interventions. Dedicated patent analysts and writers work in close collaboration with our researchers and the business development team to protect our innovations. our IMPACT DRIVING A CHANGE FOR PATIENTS AND SOCIETY The field of neurological diseases is a major frontier of biomedical innovation. It is our goal to be a key player and to actively engage in translational research, based on a solid mechanistic understanding of fundamental and disease processes. As a publicly funded and basic science driven research center, we are committed to making a societal impact. 14 15
INCLUSION & DIVERSITY COMMITTEE The Scientific Support Association (SSA) is run by and for technicians. We aim to stimulate the exchange of know-how between labs and increase communication between the scientific support staff, including all lab managers and all lab technicians, and the rest of our Center. Scientific accomplishments often originate at the interface of several disciplines, illustrating that creativity sparks where diverse backgrounds come together. Our local Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Committee works in collaboration with other VIB and KU Leuven based diversity working groups to organize various initiatives to raise awareness of and advocate for an inclusive and welcoming working environment. PHD ASSOCIATION our COMMUNITY The PhD Association was born to create the ideal space for PhD students to support each other and to make their journey as smooth as possible. The PhDA aims to foster interaction, collaborations and a sense of community at our Center! We also want to provide resources for career and personal development and to represent the PhD students at executive level. POSTDOC ASSOCIATION Our research Center has a very engaged postdoc network, which aims to foster a sense of community and to provide resources for career and personal development. At the institutional level, the VIB Postdoc Committee (PDC) represents all postdocs and staff scientists at VIB and organizes networking and career development events. ALUMNI NETWORK Our Center equips alumni with the expertise, tools and confidence to progress on to exciting career opportunities in the most top-notch research institutions all across the world. To keep in touch with our community, we have set up an Alumni Network and a LinkedIn Alumni Group to stay up-to-date with how our alumni are. 16 CREATING A STIMULATING & INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT Community is an integral word for us. We are investing in our people, and our research thrives because of the excellence of our staff and students. ECO TEAM Our Center’s Eco Team acts as a sustainability think-tank that explores ideas and initiatives to make our work place more sustainable through a bottom-up approach. The Eco Team consists of people throughout each layer of our organization, with representatives from as many of our labs as possible. They form a point of contact between our Center and policy makers at the university and institutional level. Background image: Mural designed for our Center’s lobby by Júlia Mota Albuquerque as part of the Inclusion & Diversity Committee’s Diversity in Science campaign. 17
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