Pioneering brain research since 1926
Institute Born-Bunge (IBB) is a leading center of excellence in neuropathology, connecting research, diagnostics, and biobanking to better understand and tackle neurodegenerative diseases. Founded nearly a century ago, IBB houses one of Europe’s largest and most historically significant biobanks, containing over 6,500 meticulously curated brain samples.
Dive into a century of research history
For nearly a century, Institute Born-Bunge (IBB) has been a true pioneer in the field. In the early 1930s, a time when neurodegenerative diseases were scarcely understood, IBB’s founders recognized their importance and laid the groundwork for generations of scientific progress.
With one of Europe’s largest and most historically significant biobanks, state-of-the-art expertise, and deep research collaborations, IBB continues to drive breakthroughs by providing essential resources to unravel disease mechanisms, improve treatments, and transform patient care.
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IBB’s foundations
(1926–1933)
The story of the Institute Born-Bunge (IBB) begins in 1926 with Edouard Bunge, a visionary businessman who, inspired by leading international research centers, dreamed of establishing a world-class clinical and research institute in Antwerp.
After his passing in 1927, a memorial fund laid the foundations for the “Institut Bunge,” which officially opened its doors in 1933, focusing from the outset on groundbreaking neuropathology and cardiovascular research. -
Surviving and advancing through adversity
(1940–1950)
Despite the hardships of World War II, the Institute remained active thanks to the dedication of its team and the ongoing support of the Bunge and Born families. After the war, IBB rebuilt and expanded its research scope, launching new groups in clinical neuro-electrodiagnostics, brain injury research, and neurochemistry — setting the stage for multidisciplinary advances in neuroscience.
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The birth of the
Born-Bunge Foundation
(1962–1964)
In 1962, a major milestone reshaped the institute’s identity: the research activities were formally separated from clinical operations through the creation of the Born-Bunge Foundation for Scientific Research. Named to honor both Edouard Bunge and his relatives in the Born family, the Foundation gained autonomy, expanded its research laboratories, and partnered with the newly established University of Antwerp.
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Expansion and integration into academic medicine
(1970s–1979)
Throughout the 1970s, the Institute Bunge evolved into a center focused almost exclusively on neurology, aligning closely with the newly developed Academic Hospital Antwerp (AZA), later the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA). Following the sale of the original Berchem site, the Born-Bunge Foundation transitioned fully into a research powerhouse located on the UZA campus, driving advances across neurology, cardiology, and histology.
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Recognition as a leading
research institute
(1980s–1990s)
By the 1980s, Born-Bunge had cemented its reputation as a leader in neuroscience research, backed by funding from national and international agencies such as the Belgian NFWO and NASA. Its laboratories, spanning neurology, neuropathology, neurogenetics, neurobiology, and cardiology, made major contributions to the understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and multiple sclerosis. Born-Bunge became a trusted global player, publishing widely and participating in prestigious international initiatives.
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Today: Continuing the legacy of excellence
Building on nearly a century of pioneering work, the Institute Born-Bunge remains at the forefront of neurological research. Its extensive biobank, combined with its ongoing commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration, makes IBB an essential force in unraveling complex brain diseases. With new technologies, international partnerships, and a future-focused vision, IBB continues to drive scientific breakthroughs that improve patient care and expand our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
Partnerships
