Antwerp: Tropical medicine in a moderate maritime climate

Antwerp is above all an innovative city of knowledge. Three scientists from Antwerp discuss their unique research and the importance of conferences. In addition to its central location, attractive meeting venues and historical city centre, full of hotels, museums and restaurants, Antwerp also focuses on its entrepreneurs and researchers, dispersed over the logistical, industrial, maritime, medical, technological, creative and commercial sectors. Their expertise and innovative ideas make Antwerp a conference city full of inspiring knowledge. This is demonstrated by three researchers from Antwerp's Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), one of the world's leading organisations for education, research and the provision of services in tropical medicine and healthcare.

Working together with pioneers

Jean-Claude Dujardin, the Head of Department for Biomedical Sciences: “You never practise science on your own. Just like in other sectors, working together is crucial in order to exchange information and keep updated via conferences. We also do that via conferences. This year, the ITM was the host of MEEGID, a leading international conference on infectious diseases. This was the perfect opportunity to inform about our unique research.” “For more than thirty years I've been working on leishmaniasis, the tropical disease that, after malaria, causes the most victims and also occurs in southern European countries. The parasite quickly becomes resistant to medicines. We carry out fundamental research into this resistance in a unique way: while others are researching a single strain that was isolated 50 years ago and maintained in labs, we have an extensive database of clinical isolates, which were only one month old when frozen. This is possible thanks to the collaboration of the ITM.” “Our researchers are constantly at work in the southern regions, meaning that we can follow the whole chain; from the biotope in which the parasite develops, to the patient, and ultimately the lab. Our work there is also pioneering. We were the first to analyse a mass of genetic information for a whole population of parasites via bioinformatics.” “In short: our work fitted in well with the topics of the conference. This was reinforced by our location in the historical city centre, according to the co-organiser. After all, the conference is about more than the lectures alone. It's also important that guests network, for example to set up consortia in order to raise money. And the cultural and culinary context of Antwerp offers a wealth of opportunities here.”

Bringing together a range of disciplines

Professor Kevin Ariën, Head of Department for Virology: “Researcher in white coats who withdraw into their labs are a dying breed. If you do that, you lose touch with the field. It's essential to stay in contact.” “Research is becoming increasingly multi-disciplinary. Take the Zika virus as an example. We're focusing on the diagnostics and sexual transmission, while other clinics are carrying out studies on the neurological impact, and others are focusing on the mosquitoes that spread the virus. Within the ITM we also deal with different disciplines under one roof, which I believe is our biggest strength. Bringing together all of those disciplines is very enriching.” “That was one thing we also noticed during the international Ebola conference that we organised this year at the ITM, for which we were able to attract numerous top speakers to Antwerp and even had to turn guests down. That success pleasantly surprised me. The pioneering role of ITM certainly played a role: forty years ago, in 1976, Ebola was discovered here by Peter Piot and Guido Van der Groen, who also came to speak at the conference. At the same time, we were able to zoom in on some recent developments to which we have contributed here in Antwerp. Such as the diagnostics that we set up during the Ebola outbreak in 2013 and have since extended to other viruses, for which we are developing new diagnostics. Important, impressive milestones. Just like the three vaccines that are on the shelf now.” “Furthermore, the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson communicated the data from those vaccine trials for the first time at our conference. But conferences like that are about even more than just learning and sharing information. Above all, we want to bring people together so that new projects can be initiated.”

Stronger by sharing knowledge

Molecular Biologist Lieselotte Cnops: “I'm currently busy developing a new diagnostic test to detect multiple arboviruses, transferred by mosquitoes, at the same time. It can detect the genetic material of various tropical viruses that cause fever during the acute stage of the disease. The development of such a test starts with a design to detect the genetic code, followed by testing clinical samples. Thanks to the status of the ITM, I can rely on an extensive collection of samples.” “I'm not the only researcher involved in this. Investigators all over the world are focusing on diagnostic tests. We can therefore share knowledge with each other. That's essential. For the same reason, we're also working together with the business world.” “We can share experiences during conferences, but also by means of training sessions. I regularly organise sessions regarding molecular tests with our southern partners. This kind of international work is necessary. The experiences from countries where the disease is active are extremely valuable. By means of our training sessions and lectures, we want to share knowledge and encourage people to work together.” “In this way, we can continue dedicating our efforts to the detection of viruses. Which virus will be the next to break out and when will this happen? Of course, we don't know the answer to that. But thanks to our experience, including the development of molecular tests for the Ebola and Zika virus, we're prepared. Conference and networking are also important for that reason: if we can collect as many signals and results as possible from all over the world, we're stronger.” Are you planning a conference in Antwerp? The Visit Antwerp Business Development Team will be pleased to assist you and put their local and international network to use in order to give the appropriate solution. www.visitantwerpen.be/business