Ann Massie

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U. Leuven): 

1998: Master in Science, Biology

2003: PhD in Science, Biology: “The role of high-affinity glutamate transporters and extracellular fluid glutamate and GABA in adult cortical plasticity”. Promotors: Prof. F. Vandesande, Prof. L. Arckens

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB): 

2004-2011: Post-doctoral researcher

2011-2016: Assistant Professor 

Since 2014: Head of the research group Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy (NAVI; former MICH) 

Since 2017: Associate Professor

Our team focuses on glutamate transport in health and disease, with emphasis on system x_c^-. Ongoing projects investigate the function of system x_c^- in modulating neurotransmission and metabolism under physiological conditions as well as in the aged brain, inflammation-induced brain pathology, (neuro)inflammaging and pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia. In collaboration with (inter)national partners, we study system x_c^- in other aspects of (pathological) brain functioning. We have all tools to study system x_c^-, going from specific antibodies to xCT knockout mice, and a broad network of collaborators with complementary expertise, allowing us to tackle all research questions and solve unexpected problems.

 
My teaching activities include following courses: Immunology (Bachelor level), Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Bachelor level), Neurovirology (Master level).