Patient engagement in the clinical research of the Luxembourg Parkinson’s Study (NCER-PD) is of vital importance for its success.
Researchers at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg were hence very pleased by the big interest of the members of the German patient organization Jung und Parkinson (JuP) to visit their premises. On 14 September, a group of 50 Parkinson’s patients and their spouses came to Campus Belval from the German association Jung und Parkinson to learn more about LCSB’s and NCER-PD’s research on Parkinson’s disease and have a look how it is conducted in the laboratories of the Biotech2 building.
The visit started with a presentation given by Dr Philippe Lamesch about the interdisciplinary research strategy of the LCSB. “With its strategy, the LCSB aims to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular causes of Parkinson’s disease and to define its different subtypes which should lead to better diagnostics and more personalized therapies for patients in the future,” explains Lamesch in his opening speech. This complex endeavor needs a team of interdisciplinary researchers: biologists, medical doctors, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians etc. work hand in hand to shed light on the most important questions of Parkinson’s disease. Next Dr Lars Geffers and Dr Pierre Kolber presented the objectives and progression of the Luxembourg Parkinson’s Study. “It is crucial to maintain relationships and foster trust with patient associations in Luxembourg and the Greater Region, and keep them informed about our scientific endeavours. Only the patients can tell us where the real problems lie and we can learn a lot from them”, stated Geffers.
Finally, the visitors could get glimpse into a research laboratory. During the laboratory tours, researchers showed and explained their work in the field of stem cell research, robotics, neuropathology, genetics and microbiology to give visitors the chance to see different research projects conducted for Parkinson’s disease. After all curious questions of his members got answer by the researchers, JuP president Frank Michler concludes the day: “We felt very welcome at the LCSB and have been informed extensively. A big Thank You to every one that made this day at the LCSB possible."