Prof Rejko Krüger, Director of Transversal Translational Medicine at LIH, contributed to an international study aiming to shed light into the genetic determinants of Lewy body dementia (LBD), a common yet understudied neurodegenerative disease. Leveraging advanced genome sequencing techniques in a large study population, the scientists identified five risk genes involved in the onset and progression of this form of dementia, and brought forward the critical role of mutations in a subset of these genes in LBD development. The study also showed that LBD displays common features with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the complex genetic architecture of this age-related neurodegenerative condition and paving the way for the development of targeted therapies. The findings were published in February 2021 in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.

Dr Guy Fagherazzi, Director of the LIH Department of Population Health (DoPH) and leader of the Deep Digital Phenotyping Research Unit, and Dr Laurent Malisoux, leader of the Physical Activity, Sport and Health research group at DoPH, exploited the potential of digital health tools to investigate the relationship between both the level and frequency of physical activity and weight variations. The study, which was published on April 15th in the top digital health journal “Journal of Medical Internet Research - mHealth and uHealth”, is a collaboration with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the French manufacturer of connected e-health devices Withings.

WEBINAR: Metabolic rewiring driving metastasis formation - Prof Sarah-Maria FENDT

Originally launched in April 2020 under the aegis of the Research Luxembourg COVID-19 Taskforce, the CON-VINCE study aims to evaluate the prevalence and dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 within the Luxembourgish population, with a specific focus on asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic individuals. The last round of testing of the CON-VINCE participants is due to start in April 2021, approximately one year after the first set of visits upon inclusion in the study. The final wave will provide a comprehensive insight into the evolution and transmission of the disease over an extended timeframe, particularly from an immunity perspective.

The IT Business Analyst assists the IT Manager in assessingthe business model or its integration with technology within the LuxembourgInstitute of Health. He provides effective support to improve or adaptbusiness processes implemented in the ERP for administrative units (HumanResources/Accounting/Purchasing). The IT Business Analyst is in charge ofanalyzing the organization and implement a bridge between business problems andtechnology solutions, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirementsand institution strategic needs.

WEBINAR: Lecture series Cancer Research: "Role of stromal heterogeneity in metastatic spread and immunotherapy resistance in cancer" - Dr Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou

Jump in a real-life work experience during your summer holiday or vacation time and explore summer student jobs opportunities at LIH!

On February 9th, Eleftheria Charalambous and Mohaned Benzarti, doctoral candidates from the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity (DII) and the LIH Department of Oncology (DONC), respectively, were awarded the 2020 Pelican Grant by the Fondation du Pélican de Mie et Pierre Hippert-Faber. The grant will support training and mobility activities in the context of their research projects on the microbiome and on cancer metabolism.

Originally launched in April 2020 with the aim of identifying risk factors and biomarkers associated with COVID-19 severity in the adult population, Predi-COVID has now officially been extended to children. The study, coordinated by the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and carried out under the aegis of the Research Luxembourg COVID-19 Task Force, will particularly benefit from the collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) for the recruitment of younger children.