Videos

Every year, up to half a million people worldwide suffer spinal cord injuries, often leading to partial or complete paralysis of the arms or legs. Remarkably, physical training can help restore movement and muscle control—even in partially paralyzed limbs. But how does this work? Imke Hrycyk explains the science behind it. Watch to learn more!

Amber Jans studies dementia—not as a doctor, but as a legal researcher. While a dementia diagnosis is primarily a medical issue, it also comes with important legal consequences, especially for families. Jans explores the challenges of creating a legal system that considers the interests of the person with dementia, their spouse, and their relationship as a couple.

Did you know that you can concentrate better and be more motivated if you learn while moving? Lindsay Everaert tells you why moving while learning is so effective and challenges you with an exercise in the video. Ready to test your brain?

Have you ever wondered why some breast cancer survivors develop a new cancer years after successful radiotherapy? Every person has a unique biology, influencing how they respond to treatments like radiotherapy. Yet, most patients receive standardized treatment plans. But what if we could tailor treatments to each individual? Cancer researcher Renu Dayal is working to make radiotherapy safer and more personalized. She hopes to ensure that every patient stays protected long after treatment.

Did you know that many products in your shopping cart contain 'surfactants'? For example, this 'magic' ingredient provides foaming soap to longer-lasting food! But did you also know that almost half of surfactants come from petroleum? In her research, bioengineer Elvira Bytyqi is working on an eco-friendly alternative: biosurfactants! 🌱

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!

You buy strawberries in the supermarket, but when you want to bite into one of those juicy strawberries at home, you stumble upon a moldy one in the package. Yuck. But did you know that the solution to this problem may be right under our feet? Bioengineer Jasmine De Rop (UGent) explains how soil bacteria might offer an unexpected way to tackle this issue.

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.