Units

Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis

The Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis (LABO) is a research group dedicated to human and animal anatomy and embryology. 
The LABO works in close collaboration with the Functional Anatomy Laboratory (FSM), which benefits from the same facilities. Several research themes are developed jointly.
LABO's research is organized around complementary themes: 
- biomechanics, modeling and functional assessment 
- macroscopic and microscopic anatomy
- embryology and teratology 
- forensic medicine and forensic anthropology 
- HOX genes and ovarian function 
- neurobiomechanics

Projetcs

« HOME » Human Remains Origin(s) Multidisciplinary Evaluation

The HOME project involves a broad multidisciplinary network combining different disciplines represented by the partners, one of which is LABO with S. Louryan as ULB coordinator. The universities preserve human remains from different geographical origins, periods and contexts. The objectives of the HOME project are to evaluate, from the collections and associated archives, the historical, scientific, legal and ethical context of human remains housed by Belgian institutions, including universities. Project deliverables will include inventories of the collections and associated documents in the various institutions. The reports will also advise on how best to manage the various collections of human remains in Belgium, and propose management scenarios in response to existing and future repatriation requests.

Paleoanthropology

Current research projects at LABO focus primarily on the musculoskeletal system as part of a long-term vision to improve our knowledge of most functional aspects of this important anatomical system. This ranges from traditional cadaver research to more elaborate data collection using state-of-the-art technologies and methods available at the LABO. The development of musculoskeletal modeling is directly linked to improved patient and clinical care. However, the LABO also has a long-standing collaboration with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (IRSNB) to study how the same musculoskeletal modeling can solve problems related to human evolution and paleoanthropology. 
LABO is also working on an international collaboration to reconstruct a complete 3D Neanderthal skeleton from the Spy II Neanderthal remains using the musculoskeletal modeling system developed by LABO. Previous versions of this 3D skeleton have enabled scientists to print life-size Neandertal skeletons and artists to create realistic models (exhibited at the NHM, London, the Galerie de l'Évolution, RBINS Brussels, and the Musée Spy in Onoz-Spy, the Musée de l'Homme, Paris and the Musée Abri Cro-Magnon in Les Eyzies de Tayac). 
Ongoing biomechanical studies at LABO have demonstrated that Neanderthal joint surfaces are fully compatible with modern human movement patterns, and may even have a mechanical advantage in the lever arms of the knee and hip. This contrasts with previous studies of Neanderthal gait and locomotion, which tended to show that Neanderthals were disadvantaged in some way compared to modern humans, due to their short limbs, heavy weight, long calcaneals, etc. 
LABO members are also working on international projects to reconstruct the lower limbs of Homo naledi to analyze the potential kinematics of walking, and a Homo erectus thorax to analyze the potential kinematics of breathing in fossil hominids.