Rosa Rademakers

Rosa Rademakers is a Professor and Group Leader at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, where she leads a research team focused on discovering and characterizing genes implicated in neurological disorders. Her laboratory is internationally recognized for its work on frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and related neurodegenerative conditions, as well as epilepsy genetics.

Dr. Rademakers' research program centers on identifying causal genes and genetic risk factors for neurological disorders using family-based genetics and association analyses. Her lab leads worldwide consortia focused on FTLD with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP) and FTLD with FUS pathology (FTLD-FUS), combining genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic approaches to uncover disease mechanisms.

• Major research focus on TMEM106B as a genetic modifier in progranulin (GRN) mutation carriers
• Investigation of disease mechanisms through cell and mouse models
• Leadership of the Weckhuysen subgroup focused on epilepsy genetics
• Research on genetic modifiers explaining variability in symptom onset and disease penetrance

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on biomarker discovery, molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and the translation of genetic findings into clinical applications. The work spans neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, genetic analysis, and molecular characterization of disease pathways, with particular attention to lysosomal function, neuroinflammation, and RNA processing in neurodegenerative processes.

Dr. Rademakers' laboratory team includes numerous postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and technical staff who contribute to this multifaceted research program. Her work has significant implications for earlier diagnosis, development of biomarkers, and identification of new therapeutic targets for neurological diseases.