Prof. dr. Dr. Tim Vanmierlo, MS researcher at the University of Hasselt and Maastricht, wins the Global Grant for Multiple Sclerosis Innovation (GMSI) from pharmaceutical company Merck. Vanmierlo’s team investigates why the recovery process against the disease fails in progressive MS patients.
In multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system attacks the central nervous system. The disease usually progresses in two phases, with flare-ups alternating with recovery phases in the first phase. After about 10 to 15 years in the disease, almost half of MS patients then enter a progressive phase in which recovery no longer occurs.
A certain type of immune cell directs the recovery, but during the progressive phase this cell no longer performs its tasks. In the research, Vanmierlo’s team is now trying to manipulate these cells so that they can function normally again.
Since 2012, the American pharmaceutical company Merck has presented the GMSI award annually to promising, innovative research into the disease MS. Prof. dr. Dr. Tim Vanmierlo is the first Belgian researcher to win this award.
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