UAntwerp Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences

This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker (University of Washington, Seattle, USA), Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper (Google DeepMind, UK) for their work on developing Rosetta (Baker) and AlphaFold (Hassabis and Jumper). These open-source software tools enable researchers worldwide to go from an amino acid sequence to a 3D structure of a protein with just one mouse click. ‘It used to take us 3 to 4 years to determine the structure of a specific protein, but we can now get an accurate prediction of that structure almost immediately’, explains Prof. Yann Sterckx, associated with the Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry led by Prof. Ingrid De Meester at the University of Antwerp. Read more about this in our latest blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/eV-SkUgi #NobelPrize #Chemistry #Biochemistry #STEM #PhD #Research #Protein #LetsShapeTheFuture

🔬 The Royal Belgian Society for Microscopy is hosting its first symposium on data-driven microscopy! Join us on November 5th from 10:00 to 13:00 at the University of Antwerp Drie Eiken Campus, Building Q, D.Q.002. There will be engaging talks on data-driven microscopy, and a free lunch, courtesy of our sponsor, Nikon Instruments. 📍Registration is required before October 25th! This is a great opportunity to connect with experts in the field and explore the latest advancements! #RBSM #Microscopy #Research #PhD #Postdoc #STEM #LetsShapeTheFuture

Last month, colleagues from Fiocruz University in Rio de Janeiro visited our Faculty to further strengthen our existing collaboration. The partnership between the Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Hygiene at the University of Antwerp and Fiocruz continues to advance research in infectious diseases, focusing on therapeutic interventions for parasitic diseases and the entomological aspects of arboviral transmission. Master’s students from our Faculty have the opportunity to travel to Rio de Janeiro to conduct their thesis research and can also earn an additional Master of Science in Parasite Biology at Fiocruz University by taking a few extra courses. A truly unique opportunity! #Microbiology #Parasitology #InfectiousDiseases #Master #PhD #Education #STEM #Research #LetsShapeTheFuture University of Antwerp Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz)

Today, on World Animal Day, we reflect on all animals, big and small. But few animals are as important to science as the fruit fly. ‘The nervous system of the fruit fly has the same compartments, such as central brain, spinal cord, motor and sensory nerves, as in humans and works in the same way,’ explains Prof. Albena Jordanova, affiliated with the VIB-UAntwerp. ‘Most of the knowledge we have on neurobiology and genetics comes from research on fruit flies.’ We share about 60 percent of our #DNA with these tiny flies. ‘Even their behavior is very similar to that of humans,’ Prof. Albena Jordanova continues. ‘They can seduce each other, hate each other, and they show aggression or can become addicted.’ Because the fruit fly has such a short life cycle, research can also be done across generations. Prof. Albena Jordanova began working with fruit flies in neurobiology in 2007, making her a pioneer worldwide. #WorldAnimalDay #FruitFlies #Genetics #PhD #STEM #Research #LetsShapeTheFuture VIB University of Antwerp

Join us for Ilia Goemaere's Public PhD defence on 'Towards cell state-preserving delivery of therapeutic macromolecules into macrophages with polydopamine-sensitized photoporation.' 'Harnessing macrophages for therapeutic purposes is highly attractive due to their crucial roles in many diseases. However, delivering molecules into these cells to modify their behavior is challenging. My research demonstrates the effectiveness of photoporation—using nanoparticles and laser irradiation—to deliver therapeutic macromolecules into macrophages while preserving their normal function. This work offers new insights to optimize photoporation for macrophage-based therapies.' Supervisors: Prof. Kevin Braeckmans and Prof. Winnok De Vos 03/10/2024 | 6pm | UGent, Claudius Galenus, Auditorium A #PhD #Macrophages #BiomedicalSciences #STEM #Research #LetsShapeTheFuture

The AUTISYN Project: Advancing Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This project, coordinated by Prof. Frank Kooy, is a multinational collaboration funded by ERA-Net NEURON’s JTC2015. This project focused on understanding the role of the ADNP gene in autism spectrum disorder, a condition affecting up to 1.5% of the population. ADNP mutations are a significant factor in both ASD and intellectual disability, playing a key role in embryonic development and chromatin remodeling. AUTISYN aimed to explore the specific ASD subtype caused by ADNP mutations - Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome - which is marked by intellectual disability, developmental delays, unique facial features, and autism-related behaviors. "ERA-Net NEURON provided us with a unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers across Europe. This allowed us to approach a single disorder from multiple angles, significantly enhancing our research efforts and outcomes in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without this network," said Prof. Frank Kooy. The project's success has paved the way for ongoing research and new collaborations. Learn more about the AUTISYN project and its outcomes here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7NFv3Ez #ASD #Autism #ADNP #HelsmoortelVanDerAaSyndrome #Genetics #PhD #LetsShapeTheFuture 📷 Group photo: AUTISYN consortium. Geert Vandeweyer, Michele Gabriele, Pierre-Luc Germain, Alessandro Vitriolo, Giuseppe Testa, Illana Gozes, Danilla Pallotta, Frank Kooy, Anke Van Dijck, Elisa Cappuyns, Christopher Pearson; © AUTISYN Consortium.

Flanders BioImaging, a leading consortium of Flemish microscopy facilities, is hosting the Advanced Light Microscopy Course (iCALM 2024) – a three-day workshop designed for PhD Students and Early-Career Postdocs that are looking to enhance their research with cutting-edge microscopy techniques. 🗓️ Dates: 24 October, 14 November, 4 December 🔬 Topics covered: Theoretical and practical aspects of advanced microscopy methods. Studying molecular interactions and dynamics. Acquiring 3D datasets from large specimens. Breaking through the resolution limit in multiple ways. There are only a limited number of spots available, so be quick to register. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQB6D9iw #iCALM2024 #Microscopy #PhD #Postdocs #FlandersBioImaging #Research #LifeSciences #LetsShapeTheFuture

Vandaag zijn 598 kersverse bachelorstudenten aan hun academisch avontuur begonnen. We wensen hen veel succes! #UAntwerpenFBD #UAntwerpen #BepaalMeeDeToekomst

Doctoral Network Project IQ-BRAIN to Revolutionize Neuroimaging with AI-enhanced Quantitative MRI Tools. The IQ-BRAIN project (Improving QMRI By Realizing Trustworthy Integration of AI in Neuroimaging) has been awarded €4 million in funding under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the Horizon Europe programme. Starting in December 2024, IQ-BRAIN aims to enhance quantitative MRI (QMRI) by integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to develop faster, more reliable neuro-imaging tools. This project emphasizes trustworthiness in AI application, ensuring that these innovations lead to improved diagnostic capabilities. With this European funding, IQ-BRAIN will recruit 16 doctoral candidates for an international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral research and training programme, which will take place at leading academic institutes, hospitals, and companies across #Europe. IQ-BRAIN is funded by the European Union (Project 101169519) and will be coordinated by Prof. Jan Sijbers at the University of Antwerp. Learn more about this project here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/epqd4fiv #PhD #MRI #Neuroscience #NeuroImaging #AI #Research #LetsShapeTheFuture IQ-BRAIN UAntwerp - µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence

Welcome to Kenny Van Theemsche's Public PhD defence on “Acute and delayed drug effects on voltage-gated potassium channels”. "Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels play a crucial role in maintaining the normal function of many physiological systems in the human body. Consequently, researchers are highly interested in developing drugs that specifically target these channels. Ensuring the safety of these new drugs is equally important. My research has expanded our understanding of how Kv channels function and how they can be safely targeted by potential drug therapies." Supervisors: Prof. Dirk Snyders and Prof. Alain Labro 10/09/2024 | 4pm | Campus Drie Eiken, O-building Auditorium O5