Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

 
At the Catholic University of Leuven, both fundamental and applied research is conducted in all academic disciplines. In the past few years in particular, K.U.Leuven’s research efforts and output have increased considerably, both quantitatively and qualitatively, thus positioning Leuven at the forefront of European universities. The newly created Interdepartmental Stem Cell Institute, within the Faculty of Medicine, is directed by Dr. Catherine Verfaillie.

Catherine Verfaillie

M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director of the Stamcel Instituut Leuven, to where she recently located from the University of Minnesota, where she had been Professor of Medicine, and Director of the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Verfaillie has extensive experience in the use and adaptation of methods for primitive haematopoietic progenitor purification, characterisation as well as the transplantation mouse model. She also has extensive experience in genetic manipulation of haemopoietic stem cells, using viral and non-viral approaches. Finally, she is very experienced in molecular characterisation of HSCs using Q-RT-PCR, and gene array analysis. She has recently relocated from the U of Minnesota to the K.U.Leuven, where she heads the Stamcel Insituut Leuven (SCIL). While at the U of Minnesota, she was Director of the U of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute where she established extensive collaborations within the Institute as well as with clinical and basic departments of the Medical School, School of Engineering and Veterinary School. This led to the submission of 18 collaborative investigator grants with partners throughout the U of Minnesota, as well as inter-institutional grants with American as well as European Schools. She holds several NIH, foundation, and NFWO grants.