Van Andel Institute

03/24/2026

Tuberculosis is a serious disease that primarily affects the lungs but also can damage the kidneys, spine and brain. Although it is treatable, it remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

VAI scientists are working to better understand the bacteria behind TB. New research from Dr. Huilin Li and collaborators shows that a key energy processing enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is structured differently than expected.

This specialized enzyme may help TB bacteria adapt to stressful situations and survive, offering new insights that could guide the development of more effective treatments.

03/14/2026

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03/11/2026

Join us for our Purple Community Game this Friday presented by the Van Andel Institute 💜

GET TICKETS | 🔗 bit.ly/4qFQKlg

03/09/2026

From high school to hands-on research. Last summer, six recent high school graduates stepped into Van Andel Institute labs for an immersive eight week research experience. Working alongside VAI scientists, they learned essential lab techniques, explored scientific questions and presented their own research projects at the program’s conclusion.

For Mae Rydingsward, the experience became a turning point. After completing the program, she continued her work at VAI and now holds a part time position in the Grainger Lab while pursuing her college degree. The fellowship helped her gain confidence in the lab and clarify her path in biomedical research.

Applications for the summer 2026 program are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Learn more about the High School Graduate Research Program at vai.org/graduate-school/hs-program

02/27/2026

For 21 years, VAI’s annual Winterfest Celebration has brought together friends, philanthropists and scientists to celebrate the power of community and drive progress in biomedical research. Through this generous support, VAI continues to pursue breakthroughs, from understanding how and why Parkinson’s begins and progresses to supporting groundbreaking clinical trials that evaluate promising potential therapies.

Our sincere thanks to the Sharpe family for their remarkable commitment as event chairs. Their vision and dedication helped establish Winterfest as a cornerstone event in support of Parkinson’s research and laid a strong foundation for continued growth and impact for years to come. ❄️

02/04/2026

Cancer research saves lives. For the first time, the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has hit 70% among people diagnosed from 2015–2021 in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 Cancer Statistics report. This milestone reflects decades of progress fueled by scientific discovery.

This World Cancer Day, learn about four areas to watch for breakthroughs:

-Exploring epigenetics
-Investigating the immune system
-Harnessing diet and metabolism
-Collaboration and team science

Read more at the link in our bio.

02/02/2026

Hello from our new CSO! With Dr. Jonathan D. Licht stepping into the role of president and chief scientific officer, VAI is focused on growth, collaboration and scientific impact. Here are a few areas you’ll see shaping our work.

01/15/2026

Drug-resistant fungal infections are on the rise. How can we stop them?

Fungal infections are a serious public health concern that cause millions of deaths globally each year. Among the most worrying are Candida auris and Cryptococcus neoformans, two fungi that are growing increasingly resistant to existing therapies. Candida auris cases are spreading across the U.S., with more than 7,500 cases reported in more than two dozen states in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recently, a team of scientists from Van Andel Institute and McMaster University identified a natural substance called butyrolactol A (shown in light pink), which may help a group of low-toxicity antifungal drugs known as echinocandins work against drug-resistant fungal infections, including Candida auris and Cryptococcus neoformans.

“Fungal infections are evolving, so our strategies must advance faster,” said Dr. Huilin Li, the Ralph and Grace Hauenstein Chair in Structural Biology at Van Andel Institute, who co-led the study. “By revisiting natural compounds to enhance the efficacy of echinocandins, we’re one step closer to developing stronger, more resilient antifungal therapies.”

Read more at the link in the comments.

12/30/2025

In 2025, VAI continued to build scientific momentum and drive discoveries that deepen our understanding of human health. Check out our year of research highlights!

Read about Reflecting on research: 2025 highlights on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

12/10/2025

Van Andel Institute and Cure Parkinson's are thrilled to announce that we have renewed a funding agreement to support the International Linked Clinical Trials Program, the world’s largest drug repurposing clinical trial initiative for Parkinson’s disease.

“Together with Cure Parkinson’s, we are thrilled to reaffirm our longstanding support of the International Linked Clinical Trials Program. Our renewed agreement will enable the program to continue seeking promising new therapies, with the goal of identifying much-needed ways to impede disease progression and improve quality of life,” said Dr. Darren Moore, the Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson’s Disease Research at VAI and a member of the International Linked Clinical Trials Scientific Committee.

Read about Van Andel Institute, Cure Parkinson’s renew funding for Parkinson’s clinical trials program on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

11/14/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for A Conversation About Metabolism and the Immune System hosted by Carol Van Andel! This annual event continues to be a meaningful opportunity for our community to connect and deepen their understanding of the research happening at VAI.

This year, Dr. Russell Jones and Dr. Connie Krawczyk gave an inside look at how different nutrients power our immune cells, how metabolism interacts with other systems to support health and how we can leverage new breakthroughs to better prevent and treat disease.

Discover more about our Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming at https://www.vai.org/research/research-departments/metabolism-and-nutritional-programming/.

11/12/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Russell Jones for being named to this year’s Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list — a distinction marking him as a leader in his field.

Read more: vai.org/hcr-2025