Christine Van Broeckhoven
Encyclopedia
Christine Van Broeckhoven (born 9 April 1953) is a Belgian
molecular biologist
and professor in Molecular genetics at the University of Antwerp
(Antwerp, Belgium
). She is also leading the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp
of the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB). Christine Van Broeckhoven does research on Alzheimer dementia, bipolar mental disorders
and other neurological
diseases. Since 1983 she has had her own laboratory for molecular genetics
at the University of Antwerp, and since 2005 is focussing her research on neurodegenerative brain diseases. She is an associate editor of the scientific journal
Genes, Brain and Behavior
.
and in 1993 she and three other scientists were awarded the American Potamkin Prize
for their work on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) which can cause severe, early Alzheimer’s disease. In 2005, she was awarded the Arkprijs van het Vrije Woord
. In 2006, she was awarded as laureate for Europe the international L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science
of l'Oréal
and UNESCO
, "For the genetic investigation of Alzheimer's disease
and other neurodegenerative disease
s".
. Van Broeckhoven headed the list for the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
in the province of Antwerp
. On 10 June 2007
she was elected a member of the Chamber of People's Representatives. She retired from politics after the 2010 Belgian general election
to concentrate on her scientific work.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
molecular biologist
Molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that deals with the molecular basis of biological activity. This field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry...
and professor in Molecular genetics at the University of Antwerp
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is one of the major Belgian universities located in the city of Antwerp. The name is sometimes abbreviated as UA.-History:...
(Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
). She is also leading the VIB Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is one of the major Belgian universities located in the city of Antwerp. The name is sometimes abbreviated as UA.-History:...
of the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB). Christine Van Broeckhoven does research on Alzheimer dementia, bipolar mental disorders
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
and other neurological
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
diseases. Since 1983 she has had her own laboratory for molecular genetics
Molecular genetics
Molecular genetics is the field of biology and genetics that studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. The field studies how the genes are transferred from generation to generation. Molecular genetics employs the methods of genetics and molecular biology...
at the University of Antwerp, and since 2005 is focussing her research on neurodegenerative brain diseases. She is an associate editor of the scientific journal
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
Genes, Brain and Behavior
Genes, Brain and Behavior
According to the Journal Citation Reports, its 2009 impact factor is 4.061, ranking Genes, Brain and Behavior 63rd out of 237 listed journals in the category "Neurosciences" and 6th out of 48 listed journals in the category "Behavioral Sciences"....
.
Honors
For her achievements as a scientist, she received the Belgian Quinquennial Prize of the Belgian National Science FoundationNFWO
The National Fund for Scientific Research is a government institution in Belgium for supporting scientific research...
and in 1993 she and three other scientists were awarded the American Potamkin Prize
Potamkin Prize
The Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases was established in 1988 and is sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology. The prize is funded through the philanthropy of the Potamkin Foundation...
for their work on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) which can cause severe, early Alzheimer’s disease. In 2005, she was awarded the Arkprijs van het Vrije Woord
Arkprijs van het Vrije Woord
The Arkprijs van het Vrije Woord is a symbolic award which was created in 1951 by Herman Teirlinck and the editorial team of the Nieuw Vlaams Tijdschrift to counteract ideologically driven restrictions on the freedom of expression.He wanted to bring those persons into the spotlight who actively...
. In 2006, she was awarded as laureate for Europe the international L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science
L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science
The L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science aims to improve the position of women in science by recognizing outstanding women researchers who have contributed to scientific progress...
of l'Oréal
L'Oréal
The L'Oréal Group is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company. With its registered office in Paris and head office in the Paris suburb of Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, it has developed activities in the field of cosmetics...
and UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, "For the genetic investigation of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and other neurodegenerative disease
Neurodegeneration
Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes. As research progresses, many...
s".
Involvement in politics
On 19 March 2007 it became known that Christine Van Broeckhoven would be a candidate for the Socialist Party – Differently, a center-left social-democratic party, in the 2007 Belgian federal electionsBelgian general election, 2007
The 2007 Belgian general election took place on Sunday 10 June 2007. Voters went to the polls in order to elect new members for the Chamber of Representatives and Senate.Eligible voters were Belgian citizens 18 years and older...
. Van Broeckhoven headed the list for the Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
The Belgian Chamber of Representatives is one of the two chambers in the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Senate...
in the province of Antwerp
Antwerp (province)
Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp...
. On 10 June 2007
Belgian general election, 2007
The 2007 Belgian general election took place on Sunday 10 June 2007. Voters went to the polls in order to elect new members for the Chamber of Representatives and Senate.Eligible voters were Belgian citizens 18 years and older...
she was elected a member of the Chamber of People's Representatives. She retired from politics after the 2010 Belgian general election
Belgian general election, 2010
General elections were held in Belgium on 13 June 2010. After the fall of the previous government over the withdrawal of Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats from the government the King dissolved the legislature and called new elections...
to concentrate on her scientific work.
External links
- Christine Van Broeckhoven
- Molecular Genetics Department (University of Antwerp)