Projects
Functional identification of innate immune responses following stem cell implantation in the central nervous system of mice. University of Antwerp
In this PhD project we aim to completely characterize the migration behaviour, fate and physiology of different stem cell types following administration in the 'experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis' (EAE) mouse model for Multiple Sclerosis. A combination of in vivo (BLI and MRI) and post-mortem (histology) imaging modalities will be used to reveal different cell characteristics and compare these characteristics between the different cell ...
The direct effects of elevated serum free fatty acid concentrations on the viability of ovarian follicles and the oocyte's developmental capacity. University of Antwerp
Previous research work revealed that metabolic changes, associated with the growing incidence of obese individuals and diabetics, might have harmful repercussions for the reproductive outcome. The consequences of hyperglycemia, due to obesity and diabetes, have already been investigated thoroughly in rats and mice. This research project rather involves another feature of these metabolic pathologies: the high free fatty acid concentrations in ...
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for the accumulation and effects of microcontaminants in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). University of Antwerp
Aims:Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for long-term uptake and accumulation of microcontaminants by seals.Model evaluation by comparison of predicted values with observed results of microcontaminants in blood and biopsy (living animals) and other tissues (dead animals).Determination of the condition of seals by use of general condition-indices and more specific indications for homeostasis and stress by analysis of ...
The changing world as a stressful environment: combined effects of temperature, hypoxia, carbon dioxide and ammonia on ionoregulation in fish - influence of energy budget and hormonal regulation. University of Antwerp
Fish are especially suitable to study hypoxic effects, very few studies have focussed on ion transport during hypoxia. Little is known on how hypoxia affects the uptake of ions and essential metals at the gill. Regulation and homeostasis of ions and essential metals is highly dependent on energy metabolism and protein metabolism, processes that are severely down regulated during hypometabolism. The aim of the presented research is to study the ...
Adenosine-5' -monophosphate-activated protein kinase: a conserved, pleiotropic and tissue-dependent modulator of energy homeostasis? KU Leuven
The discovery that adenosine-5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as a cellular fuel gauge had led to the introduction of novel concepts in our understanding of the regulation of the energy balance of mammals. This heterotrimeric enzyme is activated when the intracellular ATP: AMP ratio declines. Consequently, activated AMPK initiates peripheral catabolic processes such as fatty acid oxidation and glycogenolysis while ...
Functional plasticity of auditory and visual systems of songbirds in a seasonal context. University of Antwerp
Songbirds exhibit seasonal plasticity in a broad variety of behavioral and morphological traits associated with reproduction. Changes in song production are well described while changes in song perception are not. In the present project, we will study the seasonal functional variation in auditory processing of the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We will test if the neural substrates of song ...
Metals, oxidative stress and carotenoid-dependent coloration: does metal pollution fade the colour of great tits (Parus major)? University of Antwerp
The main focus of this project is to asses the signal value of carotenoid colouration in relation to oxidative stress levels and diet quality in the great tit (Parus major). The great tit has a carotenoid based signal, namely the yellow breast colour. The brightness of this colour is linked to the condition and the quality of the bearer. The research will be conducted in a well known metal pollution gradient. We expect that birds in polluted ...