Structure of the Department of Molecular Genetics
The science is centered on four research groups and one expert unit with their group leader, supported by a project leader and/or staff scientists, and two centralized service facilities (GSF and DSF):
- Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases (NBD): Christine Van Broeckhoven
- Neurogenetics (NG): Peter De Jonghe
- Peripheral Neuropathies (PN): Vincent Timmerman
- Molecular Neurogenomics (MNG): Albena Jordanova
- Applied Molecular Genomics (AMG): Jurgen Del-Favero
- Genetic Service Facility (GSF)
- Diagnostic Service Facility (DSF)
Organigram 2011 of VIB8 – Department of Molecular Genetics
In total, the 4 research groups and expert unit employ apart from the 5 group leaders, 1 project leader, 2 senior staff scientists, 5 staff scientists, 12 postdoctoral scientists, 25 PhD students and 26 technicians including 3 research nurses.
The Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases (NBD) group is with 31 members the largest research group in VIB8 and is since 2006 focusing on neurodegenerative dementias and related disorders. The group is building on the >25 years expertise in molecular genetics of its senior group leader Christine Van Broeckhoven. Next to the senior group leader there are currently one project leader Marc Cruts and two staff scientists Jessie Theuns and Kristel Sleegers active as team leaders of respectively the genetic and genomics projects on frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease. There are 4 postdoctoral scientists and 10 PhD students and technical support is provided by 13 technicians including two research nurses.
The Neurogenetics (NG) group with 12 members is headed by Peter De Jonghe , who is leading the neurogenetics research within the VIB8 department. There is one senior staff scientist Gert Van Goethem, active on the clinical and genetic aspects of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma associated diseases e.g. progressive external ophthalmoplegia. This group is building on the clinical neurology and neurogenetics expertise of >25 years of its group leader, and provides a direct access to biosampling of patients and translational research. There are 3 postdoctoral scientists and 3 PhD students and technical support is provided by 3 technicians and 1 research nurse.
The Peripheral Neuropathies (PN) group with 14 members is lead by Vincent Timmerman who focused his research since 2006 on the molecular genetics and cell biology of inherited peripheral neuropathies. He has three staff scientists in his group, Joy Irobi, Katrien Janssens and Sophie Janssens, who are leading a team on the molecular genetics and cell biology of the small heat shock protein (HSPB1 and HSPB8), and the role of the innate immune response to neurodegeneration/regeneration. Further, there is 1 postdoctoral scientist and 5 PhD students, and technical support is provided by 4 technicians.
The Molecular Neurogenomics (MN) group with 7 members is headed by Albena Jordanova. The MN group focuses on the identification and characterization of disease-causing genes and pathways implicated in the molecular etiology of neurological disorders, like inherited peripheral neuropathies (CMT) and inherited epilepsies. There is 1 postdoctoral scientist, 3 PhD students and technical support is provided by 2 technicians.
The Applied Molecular Genomics (AMG) unit with 12 members is lead by Jurgen Del-Favero. The AMG unit has a dual mission i.e. research and technology development for applied genomics of complex diseases. Jurgen Del-Favero's research is focused on the genetics of psychiatric diseases such as bipolar disorders and schizophrenia for which they use unique patient families and cohorts. They also develop bioinformatics tools to streamline and upscale the genetic analyses (e.g. novoSNP) and design new algorithms for data analysis (e.g. whole genome sequencing). Among the 12 members of the AMG unit there are one senior staff scientist, Peter De Rijk, 3 postdoctoral scientists and 4 PhD students and support is given by two technicians and one research psychologist.
Based on the work performed to expand the applications portfolio of the proprietary algorithm for designing multiplex PCR reactions (Multiplexer), the spin-off company Multiplicon was founded. Currently three product lines are offered by Multiplicon covering high throughput CNV analysis (MAQ assays), front end amplification products for next generation sequencing platforms (MASTR assays) and multiparameter assays. Among the four Multiplicon members there is one staff scientist Dirk Goossens, an integration manager and two technicians. Additional support is provided by the VIB Tech Transfer by Chris De Jonghe (licensing manager) and a sales representative, Geoffrey Henno.
The VIB Department of Molecular Genetics also harbors a centralized Genetic Service Facility (GSF) and a Diagnostic Service Facility (DSF).
The GSF is headed by Hubert Backhovens, with >20 years expertise in genetics and cell technologies. His team of seven includes another six technicians that together perform high-throughput genetic analyses such DNA Sanger sequencing, SNP genotyping and STR based genome-wide association studies. The GSF also provides automated DNA/RNA extractions and the production and culturing of EBV transformed lymphoblast cell lines. The GSF provides its services also to third parties i.e. researchers from within VIB and the University of Antwerp, but also to academic and industrial third parties based on a fee-for-service principle.
The DSF centralizes the DNA diagnostic expertise in CNS and PNS neurological diseases under the technical guidance of Ann Löfgren. There are 4 technicians active in the DSF that provide DNA diagnostic testing in association with the Medical Genetics Center of the University Hospital Antwerp and IBB. They also provide services to third parties upon request by medical genetic and neurological centers in Europe for a fee-for-service.
The Department of Molecular Genetics receives support of 6 staff members: Sadia Vancauwenbergh (Research Manager), Gisèle Smeyers (Department Secretary), Eric Patteet (Accountant), Johanna Wouters (IT Manager), Nadia Patteet (Receptionist) and Martine Boogaerts (Laboratory Animal Carer).