Organisation
Chemistry, Kulak Kortrijk Campus
Department
Biochemistry, Campus Kulak Kortrijk
Research in the Laboratory for Thrombosis Research (Karen Vanhoorelbeke, Simon De Meyer, Hans Deckmyn) at the Kulak campus of KU Leuven focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which the hemostatic proteins von Willebrand factor (VWF) and its cleaving enzyme ADAMTS13 contribute to health and disease. We perform fundamental research to understand the role of VWF and ADAMTS13 in hemostasis, bleeding, thrombosis and (thrombo)inflammatory processes (a.o. ischemic stroke, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury) and to unravel their mode-of-action. We investigate the molecular cause of the bleeding disorder von Willebrand disease (VWD) and the thrombotic disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in patients with congenital and acquired forms of the diseases and develop new gene therapeutic approaches to correct deficiencies. These findings form the basis for our translational research lines where preclinical animal models are established to study disease pathology and new treatment strategies. We also invest in developing new diagnostic assays for VWD and TTP.