25 Years of VIB

VIB researchers explore the basic molecular mechanisms of life, from microorganisms to plants and human beings. Our entrepreneurial approach ensures that scientific discoveries are turned into tangible innovations that benefit society.

VIB in numbers

1600

Scientists

30

Spin-offs

90

Research Groups

77

Employee Nationalities

11x

Return on Investment

8500

Indirect Jobs Created

Science

Scientists at VIB conduct pioneering research across a wide spectrum of disciplines ranging from cancer, inflammation and neuroscience to plant biology. Our scientists are world leaders in their fields, and this is one of our greatest strengths.

Research at VIB

Business

Through spin-offs and collaborating with industry we advance research and bring innovation to consumers, patients and farmers.

Innovation & Business at VIB

Technology

Disruptive technologies push excellent science forward. Dedicated early-access technology funding and wet lab support strengthens the innovative status of VIB research.

Technology & innovation at VIB

Outreach

We inform the public at large of VIB’s groundbreaking research and showcase that science is not just for scientists but touches the lives of everyone.

Science outreach at VIB

What started as a bold dream to build a top-notch life sciences research institute in Flanders continues to surpass even our highest expectations, and it is because of our community of highly motivated scientists that this is all possible.

Jo Bury

Managing Director of VIB

Getting involved in top science is like venturing into a science fiction world, where discoveries lie beneath the surface, ready to be dug up. I have personally always been fascinated by what happens next. The journey from the ‘what and why’ to the ‘so what’ means we reduce insights to practice. Since the start of VIB 25 years ago, many talented teams have demonstrated exceptional ability in this activity. As a result, VIB has created an internationally recognized entrepreneurial ecosystem in the process. Yet, we can only be excellent if we keep reinventing our ways and pushing boundaries. The best is yet to come!

Jérôme Van Biervliet

Managing Director of VIB

Tackling today’s global challenges requires ambition and expertise, and there’s no shortage of this in our VIB community. VIB stands for 25 Years of innovation and impact — and it’s only the beginning.

Ajit Shetty

Chairman of VIB’s Board of Directors

VIB creates impact by using innovative approaches, starting from human genetic studies to uncover hidden culprits in disease development and progression, and then turning this into biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Rosa Rademakers

Scientific Director VIB-UA Center for Molecular Neurology

When VIB started operations 25 years ago, little was known about neurodegenerative disease. The field has changed significantly, and other neuronal diseases are catching up fast. We are now at the forefront in Flanders and internationally, and we’re creating impact, including that our research is at the basis of no less than five new biotech startups.

Patrik Verstreken

Science Director VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research

What sets VIB apart from many other top institutes is that we do not stop at top science. We take it all the way to society - from new pharmaceuticals in the clinic to more sustainable beer in your glass, from scientific debates to experiments in schools.

Kevin Verstrepen

Scientific Director VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

The key to VIB's impact is the long-term vision of bringing world-leaders in research and experts in valorization together. This has transformed academia, the biotech industry, and the society we live in.

Jean-Christophe Marine and Diether Lambrechts

Diether Lambrechts & Jean-Christophe Marine

Scientific Directors VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology

VIB excels in the translation of curiosity-driven research into benefits for society. At the VIB-UGent Center of Plant Systems Biology, we greatly care about ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly food production in light of increasingly prevalent climate emergencies.

Dirk Inzé

Scientific Director VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology

VIB means finding a supportive environment that challenges me to explore the best research ideas I can come up with and to bring the results of those ideas to the society of which we form a part, here and elsewhere in the world.

Nico Calleweart

Scientific Director VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology

VIB creates impact by putting scientific excellence first

Sebastian Haesler

Scientific Director NERF (empowered by imec, KU Leuven, and VIB)

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