A 100-year legacy, hidden in plain sight
Despite being one of the most historically significant neuropathology centers in Europe, the Institute Born-Bunge (IBB) remains relatively unknown outside specialized circles. Founded nearly a century ago, IBB has built an unparalleled biobank, developed unique diagnostic expertise, and played a key role in advancing neuroscience research. But according to experts within the institution, IBB has yet to fully leverage its strengths on the global stage.
“We have an incredibly deep and unique expertise in neuropathology, but it’s something that often goes underappreciated,” says professor Jonathan Baets, neuromuscular specialist at IBB and University of Antwerp and Head of the Neurology Department at University Hospital Antwerp. “Researchers who do find us are often surprised by the quality and breadth of our collections.”
Now, IBB is making a strategic push to strengthen its visibility, expand collaborations, and attract partners who can help unlock the full value of its data, expertise, and samples.
More then a biobank
While IBB is often perceived as a biobank, those working within the institution describe it as much more: an incubator, a hub, a bridge between disciplines.
“Our strength is in being a central puzzle piece in neuroscience research,” explains IBB’s coordinator Bart De Vil. “IBB itself has three main research pillars, but beyond that, we facilitate, accelerate, and support projects by providing the samples, data, and diagnostic and neuropathologic expertise that allow scientific breakthroughs to happen.”
The institute plays a hands-on role in ongoing research, ensuring that high-quality, well-characterized brain samples are available for innovative studies. Working closely with neurologists and neurosurgeons in Belgium and abroad, IBB analyzes brain tissue from epilepsy and Parkinson’s surgeries, sometimes in real time, helping refine treatments and improve patient outcomes.
But IBB also lends its biochemical and histochemical expertise to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
and other conditions, most often from cerebrospinal fluid, and increasingly using blood or serum biomarkers. The institute is the only place in Belgium offering diagnostics for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare but rapidly progressive and fatal type of dementia. De Vil: “As an expertise and referral center for Creutzeldt-Jakob, we have examined more than 15.000 cerebrospinal fluids for biomarkers of neurodegeneration.”
Reaching out
For much of its history, IBB operated within a rather closed network of collaborators, relying primarily on in-house expertise and institutional funding. This changed dramatically in recent years.
“In 2019 the biobank was officially registered following new regulations, of course after demonstrating we meet all quality standards,” says Baets. “Until then, IBB functioned largely as a private collection—highly valuable, but not widely known. We really want to get the message out that we are eager to connect with external researchers to build new partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaborations.”
When it comes to visibility, the institute has some catching up to do. “Within the academic and clinical world, many professionals remain unaware of IBB’s contributions and potential for collaboration,” admits De Vil. “Even within the hospital next door, some clinicians don’t fully grasp what IBB does. We need to position IBB as a key player in neuroscience research, not just locally, but internationally.”
