Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a Dutch- and English-speaking research university in Brussels, Belgium. VUB Today publishes university research, science, and campus news.
7 September is World Duchenne Awareness Day. For Luc Vandevyvere, the day has a special significance: for 100 days, he has been cycling 100 kilometres every day for his grandson Stan, who has Duchenne. Through his nearly 10,000-kilometre journey, he is raising awareness of the condition and funds for the VUB Duchenne Fund . Prof. Dr Thierry VandenDriessche, who conducts research into gene therapy
For ten days, robots took over VUB. At the invitation of imec-VUB, more than 80 European robotics researchers spent a week working together on a hackathon, public laboratory visits and workshops. The highlight of the event was a live robotics demonstration in the European Parliament on 2 September. With one burning ambition, according to organiser Prof. Dr Bram Vanderborght, head of Brubotics at i
Immunotherapy has radically transformed the treatment of cancer in recent years. However, it does not work equally well for every patient. Researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel explain that a relatively little-studied biological process may play a key role in this: the ageing of immune cells, also known as T-cell senescence. Their literature review was published on 3 September in the leadi
An hour of intensive work at the office or studying leaves us physically exhausted more quickly, even though, from a biological point of view, our muscles are still perfectly capable of performing at a high level. Dr Jelle Habay, from the Human Physiology Research Group (MFYS) at the Free University of Brussels (VUB), has studied the complex mechanism underlying mental fatigue and its direct impac
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel has opened the first call for InterACT, an international program for postdoctoral researchers. This call gives researchers the opportunity to conduct research at the VUB for three years and at the same time work on the social impact of their research. InterACT wants to strengthen the bridge between science and policy. Researchers often provide knowledge
Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of cancer in recent years. However, it does not work equally well for every patient. Researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel explain that a relatively overlooked biological process may play a significant role: the ageing of immune cells, also known as T-cell senescence. Their review article was published on 3 September in the leading scientific jou
Strengthening ties and creating cross-pollination between the university and the rest of the world: that is the philosophy behind the VUB fellows. This month, we give the floor to lawyer Helga Van Peer. The public law expert swapped a partnership at an international law firm for an adventurous journey of discovery as a lawyer, mediator and independent director. From the familiar motorways to the s
Prof. Dr Nastaran Meschi has been appointed academic coordinator of the new Dentistry programme at VUB. She will help shape the programme academically and prepare it for its launch in the 2027–28 academic year. With the new programme, VUB aims to help address the shortage of Dutch-speaking dentists in Brussels and the Flemish Rand. The Dentistry programme will be based at the VUB Health Campus in
Digitalisation can make life for prisoners more humane by giving them greater autonomy and making it easier to stay in touch with the outside world. But technology is no panacea. A study by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) shows that digital applications in prisons can also create new forms of social isolation and inequality. The researchers argue that digitalisation should always be accompanied b
Voor zijn masterproef binnen de Rehabilitation Research Group kwam toekomstig kinesist en ultraloper Filip Schoeters voor het eerst in aanraking met exoskeletten. Die ervaring inspireerde hem om zijn deelname aan de Dodentocht te koppelen aan een goed doel. Met een indrukwekkende tocht van 100 kilometer zamelde hij 935 euro in voor onderzoek naar technologieën die ouderen meer autonomie en bewegin
Wie een put graaft, kijkt terug in de tijd. In de bodem liggen niet alleen archeologische voorwerpen, maar ook de sporen van verdwenen landschappen, klimaatverandering en eeuwenlang menselijk ingrijpen. Ella Egberts maakt die verborgen geschiedenis zichtbaar tijdens Muddy Minds , een tentoonstelling en publieksonderzoek in het Friese Mirns. Tot 12 september werken archeologie en hedendaagse kunst
Volcanoes emit smoke. Beneath a volcano lies a huge chamber filled with liquid magma. A series of earthquakes means an eruption is imminent. And if a ‘supervolcano’ like Yellowstone were to awaken, a global catastrophe would be upon us. These are images and ideas that regularly crop up in news reports, documentaries and on social media. But scientifically speaking, the reality is often far more co
