Videos

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.

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.

Morten Wilke (VUB) was just 14 when his mother lost her job during the financial market crisis. Now, as a PhD student in economics, he explores how to better handle uncertainty in financial markets. Through vivid metaphors, Captain Wilke expertly navigates terms like 'risk' and 'ambiguity.' His research helps investors steer their ships through the uncharted seas of the financial market. Hoist the sails!

Sinterklaas is almost here, and for many in Belgium, it's a time for chocolate. 🍫 But have you noticed chocolate is getting more and more expensive? 💸 Eliza Van de Sande is looking to unravel the mystery behind the cacao pollinators, to make cocoa farming more efficient and cheaper...

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.

Plastics are everywhere: from the plastic packaging that keeps our food safe and fresh, to, unfortunately, the (micro)plastics that end up in our seas and oceans. "We can't avoid plastics, so we have to improve them," argues Hannelore Geeraert (VUB - FWO). Thus, with the help of bacteria, she worked on biodegradable bioplastics.

Your next jacket might be made from fungi! Mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms, offers eco-friendly alternatives like leather substitutes and fireproof insulation. However, as a natural grown product, its variability poses challenges for factories. That's why Jara Saluena is researching how to grow more consistent, durable mycelium materials.