Videos

Everyone loves sugar. It's delicious and sweet, but healthy? Not really. Yet there are healthy sugars that are lower in calories, fight plaque, or stimulate your gut flora. Unfortunately, these are rare in nature. That's why bioengineer Emma De Beul is studying how to convert unhealthy sugars into healthy varieties - with the help of clever enzymes.

Did you know that during a walk in the woods, you walk across a hidden pharmacy? The soil is chock-full of bacteria, and those soil bacteria naturally produce substances that serve as the basis for antibiotics and other drugs. Anne-Sofie De Rop tracks down these invisible pharmacists by taking soil samples, and analyzing the DNA of the bacteria to discover new medications.

Using better statistics to ensure better health care outcomes for all. That is the mission of biostatistician Kelly Van Lancker. In her doctorate, she uses a statistical method to develop drugs faster and cheaper, with up to 25% fewer test subjects.

What if every school day felt like a mental marathon? For a lot of children receiving radiotherapy to treat a brain tumor, that is the reality. Radiotherapy saves lives, but unfortunately also comes with side effects, such as memory and concentration problems. To counteract this, Isabeau De Bie is setting her sights on noradrenaline, a hormone that can reinvigorate memory and attention. With promising initial results!

Everyone knows breast cancer and lung cancer, but have you ever heard of sarcoma? This rare cancer can occur throughout the body and affects 1% of cancer patients. Because sarcoma is so rare, large studies with patients are difficult. That's why Stefanie Gijsels is developing innovative models to mimic tumors in the lab and test new treatments.

Millions worldwide suffer from chronic pain, where even simple tasks become unbearable. But why does this happen? The key lies in epigenetics, which can be seen as the "conductor" of our genetic orchestra. While our genes provide the notes, epigenetics directs when and how they play. It details how each part of our body should function, thus creating harmony in our bodies. In chronic pain, this conductor falters, leading to a chaotic mix of painful signals, as VUB researcher Huanyu Xiong explains.

As a child, Zhao Yuheng (VUB) often endured excruciating kidney stones, requiring frequent hospital visits. Now, she is a chemist dedicated to decoding these painful formations. Her goal is to help doctors diagnose kidney stones early and tailor treatments, sparing millions from unnecessary pain.

On his very first night shift as a brain surgeon, Frederick Van Gestel faced a daunting task: placing a life-saving drain in the middle of a patient’s brain. It made him wonder, “What if I had futuristic X-ray vision to see exactly where to go?” Now, during his PhD, Frederick is developing just that. Using Augmented Reality and special glasses, his technology displays the patient’s internal anatomy to the surgeon, along with crucial surgical waypoints and landmarks— think of it like a GPS for navigating the human brain.

Did you know alpacas are more than just cute and fluffy? 🦙 They create special antibodies that can help us fight cancer! 🎗️ These tiny but mighty "nanobodies" are 10x smaller than regular antibodies, meaning they can easily reach hidden cancer cells in the body. But there's a catch: nanobodies tend to stick around the kidneys for too long, potentially causing damage. Researcher Dora Chigoho (VUB) tries to understand better why this happens. Her goal is to help develop nanobodies that track down cancer and don't stick in the kidneys at all.

Many young people in community settings struggle with mental health problems, such as the need for therapy or medication. Elien Craenhals (UAntwerpen) investigates how these institutions can offer young people the right care. Her recommendations aim to help vulnerable young people regain the prospect of a better future.

A hole in your sock 🧦, your memory 🧠, your hand 💸 ... We've seen it all. But what about a hole in the eardrum of your ear? 👂 "You wouldn't expect it, but such holes are common, especially after chronic ear infections," explains Pieter Livens (UAntwerpen). He studies such holes to see how we can smoothly repair the eardrum. Hear hear!

Will we beat the next pandemic with a nasal spray? Yes, if it depends on Ilke Van Tente. She is working on new vaccines in the form of nasal spray. Because why administer vaccines via injections, and thus into the blood, when viruses such as the COVID virus enter our bodies through the nose?