Geert Van Loo

Geert van Loo obtained a Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering in 1994 and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology in 1996 from Ghent University, where he subsequently earned a PhD in Biotechnology in 2002. Following postdoctoral training at the EMBL Mouse Biology Unit in Italy, he established his independent research group at Ghent University and joined the VIB Center for Inflammation Research. He is currently Full Professor at Ghent University and Group Leader at VIB.

His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking cell death and inflammation. A central theme is the role of ubiquitin-mediated signaling in controlling inflammatory responses and cell fate decisions, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. His group has a particular interest in A20 (TNFAIP3) and OTULIN, two key regulators of ubiquitin-dependent signaling pathways that prevent excessive inflammatory responses. By elucidating the pathways controlled by these proteins and their associated ubiquitin networks, his research aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.