 
World class centre for life science expertise
VIB, is an entrepreneurial scientific research institute of 65 research groups which conduct strategic basic research in the fields of life sciences such as molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, structural biology, systems biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, genomics and proteomics. VIB's main objective is to understand the mechanisms that are responsible for normal growth and development (e.g. angiogenesis, apoptosis, plant growth and development...) and diseases such as cancer, inflammation, neurodegeneration, haemophilia,...
VIB is an international and intercultural community, gathering more than 45 nationalities within one institute.
In 2007 VIB research reached full speed with major breakthroughs in the field of cancer, immunology and inflammation, neurobiology and neurogenetics, angiogenesis and cardiovascular disease, plant biology and plant systems biology. These results contributed in gaining basic insights in fundamental processes involved in growth and development, health and disease, life and death.
Peer Review
The research departments develop a long-term strategic plan that defines their mission, long-term focus and the basic (biological) questions they address. VIB's research is regularly submitted to critical review by specialised international science advisory boards. At the end of 2006, specialised international scientific boards performed analyses of the institute. During different stages of the evaluation process, VIB's scientific output (publications), technology transfer activities (patents, licensing agreements, start up companies, etc.), management and governance were placed under the microscope. It's impact on the Flemish research landscape was analysed and the economic added value quantified.
Strong financing
VIB receives substantial backbone financing from the government of Flanders, which covers about 40% of the research costs. Local, regional, national and international granting bodies and collaboration with industry provide additional resources. The positive evaluation of VIB at the end of 2006 resulted in a 20% increase of the structural annual funding raising up to 38.1 Mio € per year. This substantial increase will be integrated into the new long term strategy of VIB and its research departments.
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