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In vitro studies into the downstream regulatory mechanism whereby LRP4 and sclerostin together regulate Wnt siganling activity. University of Antwerp

Medical genetics of obesity and skeletal disorders (MGENOS)

Previous genetic and functional studies have shown that the canonical Wnt signaling pathway is an important pathway in the regulation of bone formation. The pathway is activated by the binding of Wnt ligands to the receptor complex formed by a Frizzled receptor and an LRP5/6 co-receptor. Furthermore, it is well known that sclerostin is an important inhibitor of the pathway that prevents Wnt ligands from binding to LRP/6 and activating the ...

Characterization of HINT1 knockout Drosophila model for peripheral neuropathy. University of Antwerp

Kristien Peeters

VIB CMN - Molecular Neurogenomics

Recessive loss-of-function mutations in HINT1 rank among the leading causes of axonal peripheral neuropathy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT). They are associated with a severe, progressive and early-onset phenotype for which no curative treatment exists to date. HINT1 is a pleiotropic and evolutionary conserved purine phosphoramidase with unknown endogenous substrate(s) and its role in the peripheral nervous system is utterly unexplored. The ...

Unravelling the discriminative pathomechanisms for biglycan-related aortopathy and spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia. University of Antwerp

Josephina Meester

Medical Genetics (MEDGEN)

Progressive dilatation of the aorta leads to the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms, which are often asymptomatic but predispose to aortic dissection and rupture. The latter are associated with high mortality rates. In 2016, I identified loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in BGN, an X-linked gene, as a novel cause of a severe syndromic form of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) and is now designated as Meester-Loeys syndrome ...

Brugada syndrome research to the next level: identification of genetic modifiers. University of Antwerp

Maaike Alaerts

Medical Genetics (MEDGEN)

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited cardiac electrical disorder, characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and a significant risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). It accounts for up to 20% of SCD cases in young individuals (<45 years) with structurally normal hearts. At present over 25 genes, including SCN5A, have been associated with BrS, but mutations in these genes explain only 30% of the cases. One other major ...

Understanding the role of old genomic variation in rapid adaptation. University of Antwerp

Hannes Svardal

Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO), Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE)

The 100s of closely related but ecologically diverse species of Lake Malawi cichlid fishes provide an exceptional model to study the genomic mechanisms involved rapid adaptation and diversification. We have recently found that Lake Malawi cichlids harbour genomic regions of exceptionally high genetic diversity. In this project the student will analyse recently produced whole-genome sequencing data of 100s of Lake Malawi cichlid fish species to ...

Sequencing DNA of museum specimens to uncover the genetic basis of rapid adaptation to heavy fishing. University of Antwerp

Hannes Svardal

Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE)

We currently lack a detailed understanding of how organisms rapidly adapt genetically to environmental changes. However, gaining such an understanding is key in evaluating and predicting human impact on nature, can uncover the genetic basis of adaptive traits, and give insight into fundamental evolutionary processes. To address this, we will dissect the genetic factors contributing to rapid adaptation in Lake Malawi cichlid fish populations ...

The role of interactions between plants and soil microbes as drivers of non-native plant invasions in cold-climate ecosystems. University of Antwerp

Jonas Lembrechts

Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) - Ecology in a time of change

Cold-climate ecosystems have long been considered as relatively "immune" to biological invasions by plants because of the harsh abiotic conditions and the sparsely populated landscapes where transport of seeds and other propagules is low. This premise of low vulnerability is challenged by recent studies in alpine and arctic regions across the globe, showing that non-native plant species are present and expand their distribution. The mechanisms ...

Determinants of the stability of DNA methylation changes KU Leuven

Bernard Thienpont

Department of Human Genetics

Epigenetic processes determine how cells acquire, maintain and read memories of past events (information imprints). A key question in epigenetics is if, and to what extent, information imprints are maintained and determine future cellular phenotypes. This is crucial for distinguishing those that are functional, from those that mark prior events but are inconsequential for future responses. We therefore propose a reappraisal of the epigenome ...

An all human iPSC derived model to study the role of microglia in neurodegeneration KU Leuven

Catherine Verfaillie

Stem Cell and Developmental Biology

The hypothesis of this proposal is that microglia play both cell-autonomous and reactive roles in neurodegeneration causing dementia. Although animal models have provided important information regarding the mechanisms underlying the dementia development, they fall short in that they do not fully recapitulate the human disease. With the advent of iPSC technology combined with advanced genome engineering and (co)culture systems, we now have the ...

The role of the paraoxonase gene family in obesity and obesity-associated liver disease following exposure to environmental pollutants or medical intervention strategies. University of Antwerp

Wim Van Hul

Medical Genetics (MEDGEN), Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES), Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), Proteinchemistry, proteomics and epigenetic signalling(PPES), Veterinary physiology and biochemistry, Medical genetics of obesity and skeletal disorders (MGENOS)

Obesity constitutes a major health problem, partly due to the increasing prevalence and secondly because of its associated morbidity. It is associated with increased amounts of adipose tissue as well as fat accumulation in non-adipose tissue such as liver and skeletal muscle. Accumulation of ectopic fat in the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) is a strong independent marker of dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance predisposing to ...

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