About the Center for Molecular Neurology
Our research focus
We address a broad set of questions related to neurodegenerative diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, with an emphasis on understanding the genetic etiology and developing diagnostics and treatment methods for these diseases.
Our Center currently hosts six PIs, each internationally recognized leaders in the field of Neurogenetics or Neuroinflammation. Approaches range from human genetics and genomics to protein biochemistry and neuronal and glial cell biology, while models include yeast, fly, mouse, and pluripotent human cell systems. Research groups have access to state-of-the-art research and top-notch support core facilities and attract talented PhD students and postdocs from across the world.
Prof. dr. Rosa Rademakers has recently been recruited as new Scientific Director, and the vision of the Center is to grow substantially in the next 5 years and to invest in a collaborative research environment focused on team-science. Together, we aim to use innovative clinical, genetic, computational, and functional biology approaches to define the molecular causes of neurodegenerative brain diseases and their key disease-modifying pathways, and to translate neuroscience discoveries into more precise diagnoses and treatment options for patients.
The VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology is part of VIB, a world-class Life Sciences institute with colleague-researchers in cancer, biotechnology, structural biology, immunology amongst others and an extensive set of core facilities and opportunities for technology transfer. We are also embedded within the University of Antwerp, which hosts additional research groups focused on neuroimaging, electrophysiology, biomedical informatics (Biomina), proteomics and (epi-)genetics.
Antwerp & Flanders
Antwerp is a dynamic and attractive European university city with a rich history and a lively multicultural atmosphere. Antwerp and the greater region of Flanders is internationally-oriented and tech-minded with a strong biotechnology sector with spin-offs and start-ups, creating a natural home for researchers and their families. English is very widely spoken in the city and surrounding area.
Antwerp offers an affordable high standard of living and has an international school. The public education system and public health care system in Flanders are world-class, easily accessible, and low-cost to end-users. Public transport is also excellent and widely available. Antwerp is located at the heart of Europe: only 15 minutes away from Antwerp International Airport and 35 minutes by train from Brussels Airport, with over 180 international destinations including several direct flights to North America, Africa and Asia. There are also high-speed direct international rail connections to Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Cologne.