“Progress in science depends on new techniques, new discoveries, and new ideas, probably in that order.
Sydney Brenner biologist & Nobel laureateA tool-driven revolution
Our research portfolio addresses the major obstacles of neurodegeneration research across disease stages.
Read more on www.missionlucidity.com/research
Personalized genetic risk profile
Translating individual risk to disease phenotypes and prevention
Vascularized chip-based brain organoids
Towards improved and humanized disease models
A human brain on a chip
Non-invasive transcranial electrical stimulation
Stimulating the brain to preserve cognition function
Our team
Scientific Leadership
Mathieu Vandenbulcke (chair)
Bart De Strooper (VIB-KU Leuven)
Rik Vandenberghe (UZ/KU Leuven)
Dries Braeken (imec)
Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven)
Ingeborg Stalmans (UZ/KU Leuven)
Peter Janssen (KU Leuven)
Sebastian Haesler (NERF)
Re-creating neural circuits to stratify patients and identify new drug targets
Detecting disease by retinal imaging
The eye as a window to the brain: early biomarkers in the retina
Steering Committee
Urbain Vandeurzen (chair)
Luc Van den hove & Jo De Boeck (imec)
Koenraad Debackere & Chris Van Geet (KU Leuven)
Wim Robberecht & Gert Van Assche (UZ Leuven)
Jérôme Van Biervliet & Wim Goemaere (VIB)
Management Team
Jenny Ceccarini & An Schreurs (KU Leuven)
Fundraising Partners
Opening the future (KU Leuven)
Amici Lovanienses (San Jose)
Our mission
Imagine a future where neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS no longer cast a dark shadow over the lives of many millions of people worldwide. Preserving our brain’s cognitive and mental health, particularly as we age, has become one of the most critical unmet needs in today’s society. In fact, experts are concerned that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may become the next global pandemic
Unfortunately, progress in understanding, diagnosing, and treating neurodegenerative diseases has been slow over the past decades, with limited outcomes in numerous clinical trials. The search for personalized disease-modifying treatments or even cures continues.
Extraordinary challenges require extraordinary efforts. We believe that by integrating cutting-edge technologies with pioneering life science and clinical research we can achieve the breakthroughs that patients urgently need.
With the backing of visionary donors, we aim to create transformative tools and share them with research communities worldwide.
Our interdisciplinary hub of innovation based in Leuven, Belgium
Mission Lucidity connects pioneering research partners specialized in nanotechnology, biotechnology, biomedical research and clinical care in an open innovation ecosystem.
Our four strategic centers and founding institutions are world leaders in their fields.
Catalysing a United Response in Europe
t o Ne u r o de g e n e r a t i v e D i sease s
Our interdisciplinary collaboration extends beyond geographical borders. In 2020, Mission Lucidity co-founded a new European research alliance together with:
partner.
Horizon 3 next decade
Horizon 1 in 3-5 years
Horizon 2 in 5-10 years
Lasting impact on prevention, diagnosis and treatment insights in disease mechanisms that accelerate basic and clinical research worldwide
University Hospitals Leuven
Top clinical trial center and memory clinic uzleuven.be/en
Our joint ambitions
• Promoting a culture of excellent science & innovation
• Building an open, collaborative community
• Organising joint activities
• Supporting early career researchers
CURE-ND will facilitate the development and global implementation of neurotechnologies that enhance care for today’s and tomorrow’s patients.
Flanders Institute for Biotechnology
#1 most patent citations vib.be
imec leading R&D center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies imec-int.com
KU Leuven
Europe’s most innovative university (Reuters) kuleuven.be/english
• Calling for a long-term vision on funding of brain research
Mathieu Vandenbulcke geriatric psychiatrist director of the Leuven Brain Institute scientific chair of Mission Lucidity