Rare Diseases

February 9, 2021 Early study points to potential therapeutic avenue for a pair of rare pediatric diseases

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Feb. 9, 2021) — Scientists have devised a new approach for detecting and potentially heading off the effects of two rare pediatric…

September 17, 2020 Searching for new ways to treat a rare childhood cancer

Q&A with VAI Graduate School student and F99 award recipient Maggie Chassé In summer 2020, Van Andel Institute Graduate School Ph.D. candidate Maggie Chassé earned…

September 16, 2020 Graduate student spotlight: Investigating a cancer linked to a rare genetic disorder

Throughout the year, we highlight Van Andel Institute Graduate School’s doctoral students. This month features Lauren McGee, a student in the lab of Dr.…

September 5, 2019 Explainer: What are prions?

What are prions? Prions are infectious agents that cause a number of rare neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. Unlike bacteria or viruses, prions have…

February 28, 2019 Taking on the challenge of rare diseases

Today is Rare Disease Day, a time to raise awareness about the thousands of lesser known diseases that affect millions of people around the…

November 13, 2018 Connecting the genetic dots

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare genetic disorder. A single gene may hold answers that could…

June 19, 2018 Graduate student spotlight: Searching for the cause of a rare disease

Every other month, we highlight one of Van Andel Institute Graduate School’s doctoral students. This month features Candace King, a student in the laboratory…

January 16, 2018 VARI’s first Fulbright Scholar takes on a devastating neurological disorder

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported academic and research exchanges for graduate students and recent graduates in more than 160 countries.…