In recent years, innovative technologies have been key in allowing the field of complex genetics to move rapidly forward, such that, nowadays, genetic studies are providing the basis for many of the major advances in biology and medicine. Indeed, a myriad of genetic and molecular modifications, such as single nucleotide variations (SNPs), epigenetic changes (e.g. DNA methylation) and non-coding RNAs (microRNA), are found to importantly regulate gene expression and to induce a variety of complex human traits and disease diversities.
In the past, the Vesalius Research Centre (VRC) has significantly invested in animal model systems to perform functional genetic studies (zebrafish, tadpoles and mice). Complementary to the study of model organisms, we aim to translate our animal genetic findings in humans by generating conclusive genetic evidence in human disease. By applying an opposite strategy, we also aim to identify novel and clinically-relevant disease genes through human genetics, and further study these novel genes in our classical animal models.  This allows us to unravel the mechanisms by which these genes cause human disease, and also assess their therapeutic potential.
To this extent, a number of collaborations have been initiated with clinicians in the University Hospital in Leuven, and large-scale DNA collections of patients included in clinical trials or databases are currently ongoing.

• Prof Dr Van Cutsem, UZLeuven, België: principal investigator of multi-centered international randomised studies for angiogenesis inhibitors in colorectal carcinoma patients; Prof Dr Tejpar, UZLeuven: geneomic signatures in colorectal carcinoma patients
• Prof Dr Wildiers, Prof Dr Neven, Leuven Multidisciplinary Breast Center (MBC); UZLeuven: prospective collection of all breast cancers seen in UZ Leuven, pharmacogenetic study for tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer;
• Prof Dr Janssens & Prof Dr Decramer: prospective collection of COPD patients and heavy smokers without COPD ; Prof Dr Vansteenkiste: tumour tissue of transplanted lung cancer and COPD patients;
• Prof Dr. C Van Geet, UZLeuven: angiogenic genes in hemangiomas;
• Prof Dr. I Vergote, UZLeuven: genomic signatures for ovarian and endometrial tumors;
• Prof Dr. M Hanssens, R. Pijnenborghs: genetic studies for complications during pregancies (with a special focus on pre-eclampsias);
• Prof Dr P Sinnaeve, F Van de Werf, UZ Leuven: myocardial infarction in the GRACE DN sub-study);
• Asklepios Study: prospective cross-sectional population cohort to study atherosclerosis; Prof Dr Rietzschel, UGent, Belgium;
• Prof V Thijs: prospective collection of stroke patients;
• Prof Dr S Vermeire, P Rutgeerts, UZ Leuven, Belgium: Crohn’s disease;
• Prof Dr Thomis and Prof. P Hespel, FaBeR, Belgium: healthy volunteers with muscle strength measurements and endurance tests;
• Prof. Dr. W Robberecht: genetics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS);
• The ‘Leuvense Melanoma Werkgroep’, Prof Dr Garmyn; prospective collection of a melanoma  DNA bank;
• Prof Dr Hellinckx: Polyposis nasi: a multi-centric study involving Hôpital Mont-Godine & St-Luc (UCL) and Gasthuisberg (UZLeuven);

Contribution to international genetic consortia:
D Lambrechts has recently joined the International Breast Cancer Consortium (BCAC). Through our numerous collaborators, we are also contributing to the consortia for ovarian cancer (OCAC) and stroke (IGCS).

Members of the lab:
Ian Buysschaert, MD, PhD student,
Bart Claes, Ir, PhD student
Joke Dhondt, PhD student
Katrien Raes, PhD student
An Verheyen, PhD student
Betul Yesilgurt, PhD student
Natacha Lays, Research Assistant
Gilian Peuteman, Research Assistant