{"id":13731,"date":"2026-03-11T16:45:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/?post_type=news&p=13731"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:50:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:50:21","slug":"espoir-en-tete-supports-brain-research-at-lcsb","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/lcsb-en\/news\/espoir-en-tete-supports-brain-research-at-lcsb\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cEspoir en t\u00eate\u201d supports brain research at the LCSB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Two research projects led by LCSB researchers have been awarded funds raised by the 2025 edition of \u201cEspoir en t\u00eate<\/a>\u201d. This initiative of the Rotary Clubs of Luxembourg<\/a> supports brain research since its launch in 2013. This time, the selected projects focus on precision medicine in Parkinson\u2019s disease and on the role of molecules produced by the gut microbiome in neurodegeneration. Yesterday, they were presented during a dedicated event, which was also the opportunity to announce the next edition of \u201cEspoir en t\u00eate\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nExploring mechanisms linking gut microbes to neurodegeneration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research conducted by the Systems Ecology<\/a> group at the LCSB, in collaboration with Prof. Ami Bhatt from Stanford University, has recently identified a novel class of small proteins, secreted by gut microbes, that have the potential to prompt the aggregation of human proteins and hence to trigger neurodegeneration. The team\u2019s new project has received 25.000\u20ac to investigate further the role of these microbiome-derived molecules in Parkinson\u2019s disease. It leverages a patented discovery pipeline developed to identify the most relevant molecules and aligns with a recently awarded European Research Council Proof of Concept grant<\/a> focusing on the biomarker potential of these molecules.

\u201cBack in 2024, the support of \u2018Espoir en t\u00eate\u2019 allowed us to generate preliminary data and to pursue this new avenue. Now, building on the successful results and thanks to their renewed support, we will go further,\u201d explains Prof. Paul Wilmes<\/a>, head of the Systems Ecology group. \u201cWe will look at specific nerve cells to understand whether the small proteins we discovered can trigger processes that can lead to Parkinson\u2019s disease or other diseases. If our hypothesis is correct, the project could lead to completely new means of diagnosis or treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nIdentifying subgroups of patients for precision medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A second project, led by I\u00f1igo Yoldi Bergua<\/a> and Prof. Rejko Kr\u00fcger<\/a>, has also been awarded 25.000\u20ac. Its objective: Finding Parkinson\u2019s patients who share the same pathological mechanisms and could benefit from a specific therapeutic strategy. Researchers from the Translational Neuroscience<\/a> group at the LCSB have recently identified patients carrying several changes in genes coding for lysosomes, important parts of the cellular protein degradation machinery. Their project aims to validate that the accumulation of these genetic variants impairs neuronal function and therefore contributes to Parkinson\u2019s disease. They believe that genetic stratification<\/a> can guide tailored therapeutic strategies, notably by supporting clinical trials focused on emerging lysosome-targeting therapies.

\u201cThe support provided by \u2018Espoir en t\u00eate\u2019 helps us translate scientific findings into concrete progress for people with Parkinson’s disease,\u201d underlines Prof. Rejko Kr\u00fcger, head of the Translational Neuroscience group. \u201cOur project looks for genetic \u2018fingerprints\u2019 that can then be used to identify subgroups of Parkinson’s patients sharing common molecular causes, an important step towards targeted disease-modifying therapies enabling precision medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\u201cEspoir en t\u00eate\u201d, a catalyst for brain research in Luxembourg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Driven by Luxembourg\u2019s Rotary Clubs, the \u201cEspoir en t\u00eate\u201d initiative invites the public to attend the premiere of a film while supporting research on brain diseases. Since its launch in Luxembourg, it has raised over 733.000\u20ac, funding 22 research projects. It has contributed to scientific careers through significant seed funding, especially for pilot and exploratory studies at early stages of research, often leading to larger grants and scientific publications. \u201cOver the past decade, this support has helped young researchers and teams at the university to grow,\u201d emphasises Philippe Lamesch<\/a>, head of Office of Fundraising. \u201cWe are tremendously grateful for the support researchers have received from Rotary since Norbert Friob launched Espoir en t\u00eate, rapidly making it an institution in Luxembourg. It has been an exemplary initiative, demonstrating how philanthropy and scientific research can go hand in hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dedicated event organised on 10 March provided an opportunity to present the projects supported by \u201cEspoir en t\u00eate\u201d and to discuss the importance of research funding. It was also the perfect occasion to announce the next edition: In 2026, \u201cAllez H\u00ebpp Hopp Hopp!\u201d, an animated film mainly produced in Luxembourg, will premiere in Kinepolis Kirchberg and Belval on 19 April. For each cinema ticket sold, \u20ac8 will be donated to research in Luxembourg. Buy your ticket now >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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