NPath

Based on the research activities of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedecine (LCSB), and the current strategic development of the Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), a clear need for a specialist in neuro-pathology in Luxembourg emerged. This is related to the following facts: 1. Neuro-Pathology is currently not covered by the national centralized diagnostic centre (LNS) and all samples are sent abroad, with no LNS implication, no control on quality and localization of the samples. 2. Within the country there is a very strong and recognized research expertise in the ‘Neuro’ field, both at LIH (Neuro-Oncology) and LCSB (neuro-degenerative diseases). Both institutions however lack the expertise in neuro-pathology, which would strongly strengthen their research activities. 3. LCSB and IBBL are expected to establish a post-mortem brain bank, as required within the national centre of excellence (NCER) programme on Parkinson’s disease, which will be impossible without the implication of a neuro-pathologist. Based on these arguments of national and strategic needs within the biomedical sector, the institutions proposed to launch a joint initiative for the recruitment of a PEARL chair in neuro-pathology, which will bridge clinical diagnostics and research activities and will be jointly appointed by the different institutions. This represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the research activities in neuro-oncology (LIH) and neurodegenerative diseases (LCSB) in Luxembourg, and fosters the ties between the major actors in biomedical research. Additional full support and interest also come from key clinical partners such as the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) and the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL). This strategic alliance of research and clinically oriented partners will establish Luxembourg as a center of excellence in the highly specialized field of neuro-pathology, thus enabling combined clinical and research activities.