Van Andel Institute

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

11/10/2025

Could a molecular “adhesive” help make a common antibiotic more effective?

New findings from Dr. Huilin Li and collaborators reveal how cells become sensitive to neomycin, a topical antibiotic used to treat bacterial skin infections. The study, published in Nature Cell Biology, could pave the way for optimizing neomycin for broader use.

“Antibiotics don’t all work the same — they each have their own unique plan of attack,” said Dr. Huilin Li. “Understanding how antibiotics function at the cellular level can help us develop more effective, targeted medications with fewer side effects.”

Read more: https://www.vai.org/article/a-sticky-situation-how-a-molecular-adhesive-may-be-the-key-to-making-an-antibiotic-more-effective/

11/04/2025

This year’s Hope on the Hill - Casino Royale marked an important milestone: 25 years of advancing hope, curiosity and discovery at Van Andel Institute.

Thanks to our amazing guests, donors and sponsors for going all in on our mission to improve health and enhance lives for current and future generations.

View the full event gallery: https://www.vai.org/vai-events/galleries/25th-annual-hope-on-the-hill-gala/

10/29/2025

It is our distinct honor to announce that Dr. Jonathan D. Licht has been selected as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute, effective January 2026.

Dr. Licht brings to VAI an extensive track record of developing successful, high-impact research programs. He will succeed Dr. Peter A. Jones, who is returning to full-time work in his lab at VAI.

Read more: https://www.vai.org/article/eminent-physician-scientist-dr-jonathan-d-licht-to-serve-as-next-president-and-chief-scientific-officer-of-van-andel-institute/

10/28/2025

Tau is a protein best known for its role in Alzheimer’s disease. Now, VAI scientists and collaborators have found that an unstructured layer surrounding tau, called the “fuzzy coat,” plays a critical part in recruiting other proteins to misfold in Alzheimer’s progression.

“Our work reframes how we think about tau aggregation,” said the study’s corresponding author, Dr. Michael Henderson. “It’s not just the core — it’s the interaction between the core and the fuzzy coat that drives this process. Additional work will be necessary to determine the molecular mechanisms of this interaction, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Read more:

Read about Not just a harmless accessory, tau’s ‘fuzzy coat’ contributes to Alzheimer’s progression on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

10/27/2025

Last month, our Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease symposium and Rallying to the Challenge meeting, hosted in partnership with Cure Parkinson's, brought together hundreds of scientists, clinicians and people with Parkinson’s to explore the latest research.

Check out highlights from the event:

Read about Highlights from Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease 2025 on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.

10/24/2025

Our Hope on the Hill Gala returned in style for its 25th year last night with “Casino Royale” 🎲 Thank you to all who joined us for this exciting night in support of our research and education programs!

10/23/2025

A new study led by scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Van Andel Institute suggests that a protein called midkine may help prevent brain plaques that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

“One of the biggest problems in Alzheimer’s treatment is that still we don’t have an effective way to prevent or clear out these harmful plaques,” said VAI’s Dr. Yang Yang. “Our research shows that the presence of midkines interferes with the formation of plaques. Although we’re still in the early stages, I’m hopeful that our work will help inform new treatment strategies that address one of the root issues in Alzheimer’s.”

Read about Midkine proteins prevent Alzheimer’s-related plaques on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.