Joris Vriens

Department Development & Regeneration

University of Leuven

Joris Vriens
Full Profe

Joris Vriens is Full Professor at the Department Development & Regeneration at the University of Leuven in Belgium. He received his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leuven investigating the different activation mechanism of the TRPV4 ion channel. As a post doctoral researcher he went abroad to the lab of Prof Clapham at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, US to assess the Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy to study the trafficking of ion channels to the plasma membrane. After his post doc period he returned to the lab of ion channel research where he initiated new research projects on TRPM3. Together with prof Voets he characterized TRPM3 as an important nociceptor in the peripheral nerve system and an interesting target for the development of novel analgesics for the treatment of different types of pain. In 2011, Vriens became the head of the lab of endometrium, endometriosis and reproductive medicine (LEERM) at the Leuven University. His research group continues to pioneer and investigate the role of ion channels in the female reproductive system with a particular focus on endometrial receptivity and assess the role of ion channels in placental function and development. The lab of Vriens is part of the Center of Ion Channel Research headed by Prof Voets.

Publications