معرفی
Willem Annaert serves as a full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, where he leads the Laboratory for Membrane Transport (VIB-KU Leuven). He is also a member of both the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain Research and the KU Leuven Brain Institute. His institutional roles include membership on the Faculty Council of Medicine, Departmental Council of Neurosciences, and Department Board of Neuroscience.
Annaert's research focuses on the cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease. His work investigates membrane transport processes, lysosomal biology, organelle communication, and lipid homeostasis in neuronal cells. He examines how dysfunction in these cellular processes contributes to neurodegeneration, with particular attention to amyloid precursor protein processing, presenilin function, and organelle contact sites.
His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on endolysosomal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial impairment in neurodegeneration, and the role of membrane contact sites between organelles. The research employs advanced imaging techniques including super-resolution and cryo-electron microscopy to study subcellular dynamics at the nanoscale.
Annaert leads multiple significant research projects including 'Impact of genetic risk factors and aging on neuronal organelle and lipid homeostasis in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease - GRAN'PA' (2025-2029) and '3D SUper-Resolutie tot cryo-ElectronenMIcroscopie voor de studie van nanoschaal subcellulaire dynamiek en structuur die verandert in Neurodegeneratieve ziekten - 3SURE MIND' (2022-2026).
He actively supervises PhD students including S. Gutiérrez Fernández, A. Perdok, and Z.P. Van Acker, and contributes to teaching courses such as 'Advanced Biology of the Cell/Neuron' and 'Advances in Neurodegenerative Diseases.'
