Van Andel Institute

New anti-cancer ‘degrader’ targets protein essential to infant leukemia: This side-by-side shows an untreated bone marrow sample (left) and a bone marrow sample after treatment with the cancer-fighting compound MS-41 (right).
Image courtesy of Wen Lab and VAI's Pathology and Biorepository Core.
Read more: https://www.vai.org/article/new-anti-cancer-degrader-targets-protein-essential-to-infant-leukemia/

Please join us in celebrating Van Andel Institute Graduate School's 18th student cohort!

They are, in alphabetical order: Braelyn Binkowski; Maxwell Frye; Ali Gamal; Yixiong Han; Renee Hoffman; Ava Jensen; Dahlya Kamarudin; Noah Lubben; Vinny Sartori; Ashlin Slanger; Le Tran; and Anika Weekes.

“Like any good system, immune cells have a plan A and a plan B."

New research from VAI scientists and collaborators found that immune cells have a metabolic backup plan for accessing their anti-cancer playbook:

Immune cells have a metabolic backup plan for accessing their anti-cancer playbook Immune cells use two different routes to produce acetyl-CoA, an essential metabolite required to fight infection and cancer, reports a study led by Van Andel Institute scientists.

✨2024 JBoard Member Mixer✨

We thank each attendee for their contagious philanthropic spirit. This event is a special opportunity to hear about the progress being made at VAI from the scientists themselves while networking with an inspiring group of West Michigan professionals.

If you are interested in becoming a JBoard Ambassador, please visit https://www.vai.org/support/ways-to-engage/jboard-amabassadors/

At least 40 diseases, including cancer, are linked to errors in DNA replication.🧬

Now, a pair of studies by VAI’s Dr. Huilin Li and collaborators at The Rockefeller University visualize for the first time a molecular complex — called CTF18-RFC in humans and Ctf18-RFC in yeast — that loads a “clamp” onto DNA to keep parts of the replication machinery from falling off the DNA strand.

These findings improve our understanding of this intricate process and underscore the value of baker’s yeast as a simple model system for studying genetics.

When it comes to DNA replication, humans and baker’s yeast are more alike than different It is the latest discovery from longtime collaborators Huilin Li, Ph.D., of Van Andel Institute, and Michael O’Donnell, Ph.D., of The Rockefeller University, to shed light on the intricate mechanisms that enable the faithful passage of genetic information from generation to generation of cells.

These tiny fish are making big waves in cancer research!

While zebrafish and humans are wildly different, we share about 70% of our genes. Dr. Stephanie Grainger and her lab in VAI’s Department of Cell Biology rely on these tiny fish to investigate how stem cells are made, how they are maintained and — when things go wrong — how they can become cancerous.

Learn more about Dr. Grainger’s research. ⬇️

Can a tiny fish help us cure cancer? Discover how zebrafish, often overlooked in the pet fish world, are revolutionizing cancer research. Dr. Stephanie Grainger reveals how these tiny fish, sharing 70% of their genes with humans, are key to understanding blood stem cells and developing targeted cancer treatments.

Are you interested in the work being done to better understand diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s?

Becoming a member of Van Andel Institute’s JBoard offers a unique opportunity to connect with a community of early and mid-career professionals in West Michigan and make a positive impact on the future of human health.

JBoard Ambassadors enjoy special events throughout the year, including our upcoming Member Mixer, and get to hear directly from VAI scientists and educators about the important work being done at the Institute. Learn more at vai.org/jboard

POP! We had a great time at the VAI Open Corporate Charity Pickleball Event. Picklers of all skill levels showed out for some friendly competition in support of our research and education programs. Thanks to all who made the day a smashing success!

Special congrats to our bracket winners:

Beginner/Intermediate
1st — David Van Andel and Sydney Sonday
2nd — Tim Noll and Jennifer Whyte
3rd — Kurt and Jena Lacks

Advanced
1st — Christian Huisman and CJ Huisman
2nd — Sreejay Ramakrishnan and Chris Shang
3rd — Caleb Dang and Ahna Horn

What an inspired evening at Design & Discovery ✨

Thank you to our cherished guests and partners Leigh's, Max Mara and Haworth for joining us for a night of fashion and design in support of breakthrough research and innovative science education programs.

Congratulations to Alix Booms, Ph.D; Shelby Compton, Ph.D; and Rae House, Ph.D, who recently received their Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from Van Andel Institute Graduate School. We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to watching them go far in their scientific careers!

An upcoming phase 1b clinical trial will investigate whether lithium, currently used to treat mood disorders, could be repurposed to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. VAI and Cure Parkinson's are supporting the trial through our International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) program, which investigates treatments developed for other disorders as potential new therapies for Parkinson’s.

Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute announce funding for a phase 1 clinical trial of low-dose lithium in Parkinson’s disease LONDON (May 29, 2024) — Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute (VAI) are delighted to announce funding for an upcoming phase 1b clinical trial to investigate whether lithium, a drug […]

Van Andel Institute is fueled by a deeply committed network of supporters. The Carol Van Andel Angel of Excellence award recognizes extraordinary efforts in support of VAI's mission to improve the health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.

Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees:
🪽Dennis & Barbara Adama Family
🪽Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation
🪽John & Nancy Kennedy
🪽Eve Rogus & Paul Becker Family
🪽Southside Ice Arena Hockey Fights Cancer

Springtime can be stubborn in Michigan, so we are overjoyed to see the first signs of warmth and sunshine all around VAI! 🌼

Lewy bodies are clumps of misshapen proteins that are believed to disrupt healthy cellular function in Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. This image depicts brain cells in yellow and these problematic proteins in magenta.

Exactly how Lewy bodies affect brain cells is a longstanding mystery. Now, VAI’s Henderson Lab has identified a gene expression pattern — akin to a molecular “fingerprint” — that defines neurons with Lewy bodies. Their findings may help scientists pinpoint new ways to protect these critical cells.

Read more: https://www.vai.org/henderson-lewy-bodies

We are honored to announce that Dr. Anders Björklund of Lund University will be the recipient of the 2024 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research!

Van Andel Institute to recognize eminent Parkinson’s disease scientist Dr. Anders Björklund with 2024 Jay Van Andel Award GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (April 11, 2024) — Van Andel Institute has named pioneering scientist Anders Björklund, M.D., Ph.D., as recipient of its 2024 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement […]

For us, World Parkinson's Day means hope in action. Scientists at VAI and around the world are working hard to better understand the mechanisms behind the disease to develop treatments and improve quality of life. These three areas of Parkinson’s disease research are offering a promising future ahead.

Learn more about Parkinson's disease research at VAI: https://www.vai.org/parkinsons-disease

VAI provided great views of the 94% solar eclipse that happened this afternoon in Grand Rapids, MI! 😎 It was awesome to see, and our patio umbrellas even got in on the fun by acting like a pinhole camera with many mini apertures. ☀️

Results from a one-year, phase 2 clinical trial of the Type 2 diabetes drug lixisenatide suggest that the treatment may slow the progression of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. The study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine and was supported by Cure Parkinson's and Van Andel Institute through the International Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) program.

Phase 2 clinical trial of Type 2 diabetes drug for treatment of Parkinson’s shows positive and promising results Results from a one-year, phase 2 clinical trial of the Type 2 diabetes drug lixisenatide suggest that the treatment may slow the progression of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

A pair of medications that make malignant cells act as if they have a virus could hold new promise for treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, according to a preclinical study by Van Andel Institute scientists.

Combining epigenetic cancer medications may have benefit for colorectal cancers and other tumor types A pair of medications that make malignant cells act as if they have a virus could hold new promise for treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, reports a study published today in Science Advances.

We filled Van Andel Arena with purple pride for the 12th Annual Grand Rapids Griffins Purple Community Game. The Grand Rapids Griffins hit the ice in support of cancer research and those who have been impacted by cancer and came out victorious! 💜🏒

Thank you to all the fans, volunteers and sponsors who make this event so special.

Our Public Lecture Series returns for 2024 with talks on cancer and nutrition, Parkinson’s disease, depression, AI in K–12 classrooms, and the links between immunity, metabolism and cancer. All lectures are free, and virtual viewing options are available.

Learn more:

Van Andel Institute announces 2024 Public Lecture Series Van Andel Institute’s free Public Lecture Series returns March 20. This year’s lineup tackles topics such as cancer and nutrition, Parkinson’s disease, depression, AI in classrooms, and the links between immunity, metabolism and cancer.

We are always inspired by the warmth and support of the Hope College community. Thank you to all who came out for the Van Andel Institute Purple Community basketball doubleheader this week. It was a night of big wins for the home teams, and a time to honor loved ones and raise funds for vital research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson's. 💜

Join us in celebrating 5 years of metabolism research at Van Andel Institute! 🍰🎊👏

Our team of experts in the department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming explore the intricate mechanics of cellular metabolism to uncover its potential impact on diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Interested in learning more about our team and their work? Visit https://www.vai.org/research/metabolism-and-nutritional-programming/

Our scientists always enjoy engaging with and sharing impactful research with our community. This year, Dr. Sara Nowinski offered a closer look at how metabolism is far more complex than what we eat.

Thank you to everyone who attended A Conversation About Fueling Metabolism Hosted by Carol Van Andel! All proceeds from the event directly support the ongoing metabolism research at VAI.

View the full event gallery: https://www.vai.org/vai-events/galleries/a-conversation-about-fueling-metabolism-hosted-by-carol-van-andel-gallery/

Congratulations to Dr. Peter Laird, Dr. Russell Jones, and Dr. Peter Jones on being named to Clarivate's 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list — a distinction marking them as leaders in their fields. Read more at https://www.vai.org/highly-cited-researchers-2023

Poster sessions and scientific talks are valuable opportunities for early career scientists to gain experience presenting their research. Presenters also receive constructive feedback from peers and established scientists.

Such was the scene at the recent 2023 West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science Research Conference, or WMRUGS, where hundreds filled Van Andel Institute’s Cook-Hauenstein Hall for a day of posters, networking and scientific talks.

Here’s a recap by the numbers:

375 attendees
145 posters by students
23 fields of study represented by poster presenters
8 speakers who gave scientific talks
11 graduate school and employment recruiters

Thanks to all who joined us, and a special thank you to our organizing committee members who represented seven West Michigan institutions: Aquinas College, Calvin University, Ferris State University/Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, Grand Valley State University, Kalamazoo College, Hope College, and Van Andel Institute Graduate School.

Curiosity creates the scientists of tomorrow. As we celebrate National STEM Day, many of our scientists can recall an experience that sparked their curiosity for research and passion for improving human health.

Each spring and fall, VAI offers no-cost Afterschool Cohorts for students to think and act like scientists and engineers through hands-on investigations.

Spring 2024 registration is open now! Learn more: https://www.vai.org/k-12-education/for-parents/afterschool-cohort/