Name "Responsible (Organisation)" "Activity (Organisation)" "Affiliation (Researcher)" "VIB CMN - Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease" "Kristel Sleegers" "The research unit is committed to increase insight in the complex genetics of Alzheimer's disease and to investigate the translational potential of genetic discovery. We use genetic-epidemiological methods and advanced genomic technologies to identify molecular mechanisms that can serve as future targets for early detection, prevention and treatment. Techniques include 2nd and 3rd generation DNA and RNA sequencing on various biomaterials, ranging from targeted through whole exome to whole genome sequencing and in situ sequencing, high-throughput association studies (both common and rare, SNP and CNV) on disease endpoints as well as intermediate and endophenotypes, identification of genetic factors that modify onset age, and polygenic risk profiling. We participate in numerous (inter-) national networks and consortia, to enhance gene identification, interdisciplinary gene characterization and early biomarker discovery." "VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research" "Patrik Verstreken" "The research at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research (CBD) aims to unravel the basic biological mechanisms of neurobiology and brain disease. CBD researchers pursue these novel findings to solve major medical problems, such as different types of dementia and ALS." "Bauke Dijkstra" "Patrick Santens" "Department of Head and Skin" "Julie Hall" "Bio-Imaging lab" "Marleen Verhoye" "The core business of the bio-Imaging lab is high resolution in vivo neuro imaging. Using imaging methods we are focusing on early detection and underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration using mice and rat models for different neurodegenerative pathologies such as Parkinson-, Huntington- and Alzheimer's disease. Secondly the attention goes to neuronal plasticity including adult neurogenesis and stem cell research in which we focus on in-vivo visualization and quantification of endogeneous and externally administered stem cell recruitment in rats, mice and songbirds using in vivo MRI and in vivo Bioluminiscence Imaging. Songbirds are further intensively studied as a model for seasonal and testosterone driven neuroplasticity, auditory processing and learning using the same imaging tools. Methods: The lab is equipped for in-vivo non invasive small animal imaging: 7Tesla 16 cm and a 9.4Tesla 20 cm horizontal bore Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems both from Bruker (Germany) and an in-vivo bioluminescence and Fluorescence camera from Biospace (France). The lab is also equipped for monitoring physiological parameters and EEG, anesthesia and small surgical intervention (such as stereotactic brain injections) in small animals." "Wim Vandenberghe" "Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics" "Evelien Nackaerts" "Department of Movement Sciences" "Laboratory for Parkinson Research" "Wim Vandenberghe" "The Laboratory for Parkinson Research investigates the molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease in order to find new targets for disease-modifying therapy. They study the cellular functions of proteins that have been genetically linked to Parkinson’s disease. So far they have focused mainly on the function of the Parkin protein. Loss of function mutations in the gene for Parkin are the main cause of recessive Parkinson’s disease. Parkin plays a key role in mitochondrial homeostasis. Our lab has identified several Parkin-interacting proteins that regulate Parkin-dependent mitochondrial quality control." "Nicholas D'cruz" "Movement Control & Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences"