VIB Vesalius Research Center, K.U.Leuven

Department Director: Peter Carmeliet

The Vesalius Research Center (VRC) has focused since 15 years its research interests on unraveling the molecular basis of angiogenesis (i.e. the formation of blood vessels) and translating these genetic insights in therapeutic concepts – and, if possible, novel treatments. Since recently, the VRC has broadened its scope of interest and is now genuinely interested in the neurovascular linke in health and disease.

Therefore, the VRC uses interdisciplinary functional genomic and genetic research strategies, from the bench to the bedside, and back again. Clinical cancer trials with antibodies against PlGF, a disease-specific angiogenic factor with high safety profile, have started in the mean time.
The VRC aspires to address medically relevant questions and study important biological processes via interdisciplinary basic research. By unraveling the genetic basis, we hope to deconvolute complex biological diseases into definable targets, that can be used for development of novel therapeutic concepts. The longterm objectives of the VRC are:

to capitalize on the existing expertise in angiogenesis: by further  unraveling its genetic basis; by discovering novel angiogenic genes and studying their function in vivo; by screening, identifying and evaluating the therapeutic potential of novel (“in house developed”) angiogenesis inhibitors preclinically and clinically and, via strategies from the bench to the bedside and back again, improve the overall efficacy of and reduce the resistance to anti-angiogenic treatments
to further invest in the more recent initiative of studying the neuro-vascular link: by identifying the molecular mechanisms of, and in particular defining the role of the VEGF family and other angiogenic genes, in the neuro-vascular link in development and neurodegeneration; by developing additional VEGF-based therapeutic strategies preclinically and evaluating the therapeutic potential of VEGF for ALS clinically.

To achieve these goals competetively, we integrate complementary interdisciplinary approaches and state-of-the-art technologies (bridging genetics via functional genomics to translational medicine) and continue to build on our collaborative local and (inter)national scientific networks.

Click here an overview of the support personnel