Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)’s Liver Cell Biology research group, led by Professor Leo van Grunsven, is partnering with ILVO and the University of Antwerp in a pioneering "blue biotechnology" project. The initiative, titled Alga-Care, aims to harness bioactive compounds from microalgae to combat fatty liver disease, a condition now affecting 1 in 3 Belgians.
The project was officially launched on 17 April 2026 by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, who inaugurated a new 300-litre algae bioreactor at ILVO in Oostende. The three-year study aims to identify natural substances that can prevent or treat liver steatosis, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver cancer.
From marine resilience to medical innovation
Microalgae are single-celled organisms capable of surviving extreme environments by developing sophisticated self-protection mechanisms. Alga-Care researchers believe these properties can be repurposed to prevent oxidation (fatty infiltration) in the human liver.
The research involves a rigorous three-step process:
- Cultivation: ILVO will produce 600 algae samples under varying conditions to trigger the production of different bioactive substances.
- Lab screening: VUB and UAntwerpen will test these extracts on human liver cells and innovative "mini-livers."
- In vivo testing: The most promising compounds will be tested in mice to determine the best delivery methods for future treatments.
Accelerating research with "mini-livers"
A key contribution from the VUB team is the use of advanced liver models. By creating hundreds of functional "mini-livers" from a single sample, researchers can simulate Western-diet-induced damage without large-scale animal testing.
"The great advantage of working with mini-livers in the lab is that we can test the potential of the algae much faster, more cheaply, and with fewer laboratory animals," says Professor Leo van Grunsven (VUB). "We need a hundred times fewer mice and only a few months to get an initial idea of the potential of the algae samples."
A preventative solution for modern lifestyles
The ultimate goal of Alga-Care is to develop a health-promoting food supplement or a pharmaceutical drug. While lifestyle changes remain vital, researchers acknowledge that the modern "Western" lifestyle creates a demand for preventative natural aids.
Through collaboration with industry clusters The Blue Cluster and BioVia, the project is designed for rapid valorisation. Whether as a supplement or a medicine, Alga-Care represents a vital step in turning Flanders' marine expertise into life-saving biomedical innovation.
Learn more in the press coverage:
- Read the full press release.
- Watch the VRT news report.
- Watch the HLN report.
- Watch the Focus WTV report.
- Watch the Nieuwsblad report.
- Read the article in the Artsenkrant.
- Read the article from Blue Cluster.
All photos © ILVO
