Mission Statement
The Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS) federates neuroscience research at UCLouvain. It hosts a network of over 300 scientists and supporting staff, committed to advancing translational research in neuroscience. Founded in 2010, the institute is structured around three research axes that implement complementary approaches to span all organizational levels of the nervous system.
The Cellular & Molecular axis (CEMO) focuses on the fundamental bases of neural development, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology and neuropathology.
The Systems & Cognition axis (COSY) explores perception, cognition and motor functions in humans.
The Clinical Neuroscience axis (NEUR) aims to advance knowledge and enable diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including advanced neurorehabilitation strategies, in collaboration with two academic hospitals, the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc and the UCLouvain CHU Namur-Godinne.
IoNS News
Scientific Agenda
Brains United - LBI-IoNS Joint Meeting
Dear IoNS members,
As our community continues to grow, we are thrilled to bring you opportunities for collaboration and engagement within our institute and with other leading institutes. We are excited to invite you to Brains United, a two-day conference on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of our universities, that brings together researchers from the UCLouvain Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS) and the KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI).
Why Should You Attend?
- Plenary Sessions with Top Keynote Speakers:
Prof Sylvie Nozaradan, MD PhD
Sylvie Nozaradan is currently head of the Rhythm & Brains Lab based in Brussels, and a tenured Professor at the Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Belgium, since 2018. The same year, she was awarded an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council to develop her research on the brain mechanisms supporting perception and movement to the beat in music. She has a dual background in music (Master in piano performance, Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, Belgium) and science (medical doctor, UCLouvain), and a joint PhD in cognitive neuroscience from UCLouvain, Belgium, and the Université de Montréal, Canada. Her research focuses on the brain processes enabling humans to perceive and move to musical rhythm, how these processes differ across species, how they develop over the lifespan from birth and are shaped by inter-individual and cross-cultural differences, explaining the universality yet diversity of musical rhythm encountered around the globe.
and
Prof Henne Holstege, PhD
Henne Holstege, PhD, is a full professor of VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, and she heads the section of Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging at the Department of Human Genetics at the Amsterdam University Medical Center. Holstege majored in biochemistry at the University of Leiden, after which she moved to Harvard Medical School in Boston to study the neurochemistry associated with satiety. She went on to do her PhD at the Netherlands Cancer Institute where she studied the germline and somatic genetic aberrations associated with the development of breast cancer. Meanwhile she was intrigued by the finding that escaping aging related diseases often occurs within families. In 2010, Holstege moved to the Amsterdam UMC where she built a new research section at the department of Human Genetics where she focuses on the identification of genetic and genomic factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Holstege won the Alzheimer Research Prize 2020 from the Hans und Ilse Breuer Foundation. For more information about her team and the projects: See www.holstegelab.eu.
- Symposia: Hear from leading experts in the field as they share their insights on the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience. These plenary talks will cover cutting-edge research and the most pressing challenges in neuroscience today.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Brains United is an incredible opportunity to foster collaborations between LBI and IoNS. Whether you’re looking to discuss your own research or explore new projects, this symposium is the perfect platform to expand your network and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
- Poster Sessions: Showcase your research or explore the exciting work of fellow neuroscientists in our poster sessions. This is a great opportunity to receive feedback on your work and gain new perspectives.
- Social Activities: We know that great ideas emerge not just from lectures and posters, but from casual conversations over coffee or during social events. We’ve planned engaging social fun activities to ensure you have a memorable experience beyond the science.
The event will take place in Leuven (September 9) and Woluwe (September 10). We encourage all researchers, junior and senior, to register now for Brains United.
This symposium is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the neuroscience community, gain new knowledge, and build lasting connections.
Deadline to submit symposia has now passed, but there is still time until the end of this month to submit a poster. Proposals can be submitted by researchers of both institutes (IoNS or LBI). All info can be found here.
Looking forward to seeing you at our events and hearing about your latest discoveries!
The LBIoNS600 Organising Committee
IoNSYMPOSIUM and IoNS' GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Dear IoNS members,
We have the pleasure of inviting you to a scientific afternoon (IoNSymposium) and the institute's General Assembly that will take place on Monday 16th of June 2025.
Programme:
15h00-17h25 Axe neurosciences du plan stratégique des CUSL
15h-15h10 Présentation du plan stratégique des CUSL
- 15h10-15h25 Épilepsie réfractaire (Susana Ferrao Santos)
- 15h25-15h40 Neuroinflammation (Pietro Maggi)
- 15h40-15h55 Vieillissement (Alzheimer et vasculaire) (Bernard Hanseeuw)
Coffee break 15 min
- 16h10-16h25 Sensorium (Caroline Huart, Coralie Hemptinne, André Mouraux)
- 16h25-16h40 Réadaptation & exercice medicine (Anne Renders)
- 16h40-16h55 Psyché (Anne Wintgens & Philippe de Timary)
- 16h55-17h10 Développement (Anne Wintgens)
- 17h10-17h25 Q&A
17h25-18h10 General Assembly
18h10 Drink
Registration mandatory (deadline 10th of June) via the following link: https://forms.gle/HkU3o1Rf69AfY46V9
16th Meeting of the Belgian Society for Neuroscience - October, 20th 2025 at
16th Meeting of the Belgian Society for Neuroscience (BSN)- Abstract submission opens in May 2025!
The Belgian Society for Neuroscience (BSN) organizes its 16th edition of the biennial BSN Meeting taking place on October 20th 2025 at the Jubileumzaal, KU Leuven.
The BSN Meetings offer a dynamic and diverse range of research topics in the field of brain research, from molecular and cellular neurobiology to neural, cognitive and clinical neurosciences.
Keynote speakers are Prof. Katrin Amunts from UKD, Düsseldorf, Germany, expert in the field of brain architecture and brain function and Prof. Friedhelm Hummel from EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, expert in neuromodulation, rehabilitation and learning.
Don’t miss your chance!
https://belgianneuroscience.be/16th-meeting-of-the-belgian-society-for-neuroscience-bsn-abstract-submission-opens-in-may-2025/
ALZAD CONFERENCE - John WOODARD
The SiG ALZAD is pleased to invite you to the next ALZAD conference:
"Longitudinal Studies of Biomarkers for Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease Risk and Evolution" by Professor John WOODARD, Professor of Psychology, clinical neuropsychologist, statistician, Wayne State University in Detroit (Michigan, USA)
When: 20th of June 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Room Pasteur 2 (building PASTEUR)
PUBLIC PhD THESIS DEFENCE - Giulia ESPOSITO
The COSY Division is pleased to invite you to the public defence of Ms Giulia ESPOSITO, entitled:
“METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR THE STUDY OF AUDITORY-TACTILE INTERACTIONS IN CONDITIONS OF ACTIVE TOUCH”
This event will take place on Friday June, 13th at 5:00 PM in the room GERTY CORI, in order to obtain the final qualification of Doctor of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Promoters
Prof. André MOURAUX, UCLouvain
Prof. Olivier COLLIGNON, UCLouvain
President
Prof. Valéry LEGRAIN, UCLouvain
Members of the Jury
Prof. David GUEORGUIEV, UCLouvain
Prof. Sylvie NOZARADAN, UCLouvain
Dr Luke MILLER, Radboud University, The Netherlands
Dr Luigi TAME, University of Kent, United Kingdom
The defence will be preceded by a symposium entitled: “Research in active touch” which will start at 10:15 am in the room Gerty Cori (Tour Laennec, +0)