Tim Vanmierlo

Background

About Tim Vanmierlo

Since 2016, I am heading a research line on repair-inducing cognition enhancers in neurodegenerative disorders as part of the NIC & R group. In this context, we apply a battery of gene-editing approaches (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9, in vivo micro-electroporation) to modulate biological processes. In 2019, a cross-border initiative was established with the school for mental health and neuroscience (MHeNs) at Maastricht University to merge knowledge and expertise on cognition enhancers and gene-editing approaches. 13 joint Ph.D. students and three postdocs are currently employed under my supervision on this initiative. Next to my core research, I am member of the executive committee of BIOMED (topic valorisation), and leading the division translational neuroscience in MHeNs. Previous employment Postdoctoral researcher (2010 - 2018) As postdoctoral research fellow, I started working on the role of neurotrophins and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEi) in AD and depression at Maastricht University in 2010. Here, I worked on the development and validation of a unique and safe approach to locally regulate gene expression in a specific brain region. Moreover, I investigated the role of PDE4i in memory processes. In October 2012, I took the opportunity to join an innovative research line at Hasselt University, focusing on the brain sterol metabolism in CNS-repair related to multiple sclerosis (MS). PhD thesis (2006-2010) In October 2006, I started my PhD project on the role of the brain sterol metabolism in the prediction, progression and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The first year, I worked as a Marie Curie fellow (ITN) at Maastricht University (NL). Subsequently, I continued my research for almost three years at the laboratory for special lipid diagnostics at the University Clinics of Bonn (D). Within the course of my PhD program, I spent 3 months as visiting scientist in the lab of Prof. A. Tall at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA) to study the lipoprotein receptor metabolism in AD.