In July, over 60 researchers, clinicians, and advocates gathered online for the 22nd VPS13 Forum, moderated by Dr Kevin Peikert. This session took a deep dive into the bench side of research, exploring novel functions and structures of VPS13 and XK proteins through four cutting-edge scientific presentations.

The talks ranged from Professor’s Karin Reinisch's near-atomic structural insights into how VPS13A and XK work together as a bridge to move lipids between cell membranes, to Dr Paula Sanchez's work on how missing VPS13 proteins trigger cellular stress responses. Dr Goutam Kumar Tanti revealed for the first time that XK is enriched in oligodendrocytes (the brain cells responsible for myelin) opening new avenues for understanding neurological symptoms. Professor Angelika Harbauer connected the dots between mitochondrial damage and lysosomal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, showing how VPS13C maintains vital cellular contact sites. 

Read / download the full lay report: https://naadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/REPORT-22nd-VPS13-Forum-28Jul2025.pdf

These presentations paint a picture of a field evolving rapidly, with researchers not just asking "what goes wrong?" but "how can we fix it?" 

The most recent VPS13 Forum took place on 24 November 2025 and it covered everything about the 12th Symposium in Lausanne, bringing the latest findings and patient-oriented insights to the broader community. We look forward to the scientific publication which resulted after the meeting! 

The next VPS13 Forums are already scheduled through October 2026, ensuring consistent opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Keep an eye on your email and our social media channels for exact times and topics as we get closer to each date.