Leuven Center for ALS research launched to drive collaborative scientific advancements

May 11, 2023 marks the launch of the new Leuven Center for ALS research (LEUCALS), a milestone for the Leuven Brain Institute and for the Lab of Neurobiology (VIB-KU Leuven) that is headed by neurologist Prof. Dr. Philip Van Damme and Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch. Supported by the ALS Liga, they hosted an exciting symposium on this occasion that was attended by more than 100 researchers and medical professionals.

The newly established center aims to foster closer connections between the Leuven-based ALS researchers, stimulate collaboration and expedite ground-breaking research to ultimately help patients suffering from this debilitating disease.

The symposium featured exceptional talks from several local and international ALS experts who shared their latest findings and innovative strategies. Prof. Dr. Don Cleveland from UC San Diego delivered an inspiring keynote lecture, igniting enthusiasm among attendees. He recounted his journey in the field, "Everyone and every textbook said it wouldn't work, but we tried it anyway, and it turned out that the cells hadn't read the books. Injecting antisense oligonucleotides in the spinal cord? We managed to effectively and broadly reach the targets. Today several 'designer DNA drugs' are in the pipeline for a range of neurodegenerative diseases." His optimistic talk highlighted the therapeutic potential of antisense drugs.

Another distinguished speaker, Prof. Dame Pamela Shaw from the University of Sheffield, shared her work on elucidating the genetic, pathological, and prognostic heterogeneity among ALS patients. Addressing the recent positive outcomes with tofersen in SOD1-mutation carriers, she expressed her excitement, but also emphasized the need for continued learning. "The tofersen results made us, like many in the field, dance with excitement, but there is still much we need to learn from every patient and every trial," she said.

The event also provided a platform for early-career researchers in Leuven to showcase their work and was linked to a PhD defense. The collaborative and inclusive atmosphere during the symposium bodes well for future advancements in ALS research. By nurturing teamwork and driving scientific progress, the center holds promise for developing innovative therapies and improving the lives of ALS patients worldwide.

Further reading

"LEUCALS: Meet the Labs working together to fight ALS" (VIB blog)