Frank Bosmans

Frank Bosmans is a biophysicist whose research focuses on the role of various ion channels and GABAA receptors in neuronal function, both in health and disease. His current work primarily investigates voltage-gated sodium channel function, their pharmacological sensitivities, and their contributions to sensory perception processes including pain and chronic itch. Due to the widespread expression of these channels across various neuronal tissues, Prof. Bosmans' research has expanded to explore their role in the sympathetic nervous system. Since the sympathetic nervous system innervates every organ in the human body, mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels present in these tissues can result in (hereditary) disruptive dysautonomia disorders such as primary focal hyperhidrosis, postural orthostatic intolerance syndrome, and generalized anxiety, among others. Furthermore, these ion channels may play a role in a "two-hit hypothesis," where a genetic predisposition, combined with external triggers such as infections, can lead to chronic conditions. As part of a larger international research consortium, Dr. Bosmans' work aims to address the many unknowns in this challenging field, with the ultimate goal of translating these discoveries into clinical practice.

Key interests

• Biophysics
• Molecular neuroscience
• Dysautonomia
• Hyperhidrosis
• Ion channel function and pharmacology
• Neurobiology of sensory perception disorders including pain and itch 

Education & Research career  

2024-present: VUB, Professor (100%), Neuroscience/Pharmacology
2024-present: Ghent University, Professor (20%), Physiology/Neuroscience
2018-2024: Ghent University, Professor (100%), Physiology/Neuroscience
2016-2018: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Associate Professor, Physiology/Neuroscience
2012-2016: Johns Hopkins Medicine, Assistant Professor, Physiology/Neuroscience
2005-2012: NIH, NINDS USA, Postdoctoral Fellow, Biophysics  
2001-2005: University of Leuven (Belgium), PhD., Pharmaceutical Sciences
2001-2001: University of Leuven, Lab Technician, Forensic Sciences
*2000 was a gap year in which I attended the SABENA Flight Academy
1999-2000: University of Leuven, MSc, Pharmaceutical Sciences
1996-1999: University of Leuven, BSc,Pharmaceutical Sciences

Awards

Host of Dr. David Julius (Nobel Laureate 2021 and scientific collaborator) for an Honorary Doctorate at UGent (2022)
The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) Award for pain research (2016)
Subtype-selective Spider Toxins Implicate Nav1.1 Voltage-gated Sodium Channels in Mechanical Pain / Proteinaceous Molecules and Methods of Use. US/Europe/Australia (Patent) (2016)
Pharmacological modulators of Nav1.1 voltage-gated sodium channels associated with mechanical pain. USA (Patent) (2016)
Abell Foundation Award for drug discovery (Maryland, USA) (2015)
Hopkins Synergy Award  (2015)
Coral snake venom toxins that potently modulate GABAA receptors. USA/Europe (Patent) (2014)
A Surface Plasmon Resonance Approach to Monitor Animal Toxin Interactions with Isolated Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Paddle Motifs and the Use Thereof. USA/Europe (Patent) (2014)
Rufinamide derivatives as drugs against epilepsy syndromes caused by aberrant sodium channel behavior. USA (Patent) (2013)
Winner of Innocentive® Challenge #7435556 – New ways to discover herbicides (2009)
‘Best poster’ prize at the Gordon Conference in Ion Channels. Tilton, NH, USA (2008)
FWO Postdoctoral Fellow (2006-2009)
B.A.E.F. (Belgian American Educational Foundation) Honorary Fellow for postdoctoral research in the USA (2006-2007)