Projects
Aging and brain plasticity: alterations in brain structure, function and connectivity in relation to complex motor behavior. KU Leuven
Study of the aging process: the role of N-glycosylation, hormones and the Klotho gene. Ghent University
N-glycosylation is altered during aging and specific glyco-genes are responsible for this process. We will analyze the regulation of involved glyco-genes by in silico analysis and functional promoter studies. Next, we will study the influence of alterations of the N-glycosylation pattern on the aging process itself as well as on aging-related signaling pathways. This will be done both in vitro and in vivo.
Differential effects of androgens and estrogens ont he hyperthrophy and atrophy signals in the aging male skeletal muscle Ghent University
This project aims to investigate the effects of androgens and estrogens on the atrophy and hypertrophy signalling pathways in skeletal muscle of young and aging males. According to the hypothesis, the decline in adrogens in the aging male activates atrophy signals leading to sarcopenia, whereas increased androgen levels will activate the hypertrophy pathways.
The role of ROS signaling and redox state in the aging process of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Ghent University
The last decade many studies have shown that aging is correlated with but not caused by oxidative stress. Many of these studies have been performed in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. In dit research project we want to assess the role of redox signaling on the aging process of this nematode. This will be performed using genetically encoded sensors.
Brain plasticity for healthy aging: enhancing motor, and cognitive functions by motor training and noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS). Hasselt University
The secrets of cognitive aging: Investigating neural information flows underlying cognitive performance in elderly Ghent University
The aim of the project is to study the causal influences among brain regions that underlie cognitive changes and stability in healthy elderly and elderly suffering from dementia. We aim to apply highly-advanced data-analytical methods that have a high biologically plausibility.