Projects
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a cholesterol and fatty acid rich environment: global response to dormancy and antibiotic resistance Ghent University
Little is still known on the role of lipids in the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The general objective of this research project is to determine and analyze the global genetic expression of M. tuberculosis and to evaluate its drug susceptibility in an in vitro latency model in the presence of lipids cholesterol and fatty acids.
Application of bacteriophages for treatment and prevention of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and antibiotic resistance: a basic study into the bacteriophage-bacterium interaction. Ghent University
CARTNET trains young researchers in Europe to address serious and global problems of antibiotic resistance. Diseasecausing bacteria are becoming resistant even to last resort antibiotics and transmission of resistance genes and resistant pathogens is widespread between human, animal and environmental reservoirs. Therefore, CARTNET will focus on alternative approaches to handle antibiotic resistance and treating resistant infections in both ...
Culture-dependent and -independent studies on the role of human commensal microbiota as an ecological reservoirs of antibiotic resistances. Ghent University
UGent Burkholderia collection as a source of novel antibiotic compounds for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative pathogens Ghent University
Our ultimate goal is to discover at least one new antibiotic class and to draft at least one partnership agreement with a leading public-private partnership on antibiotic resistance. The new compound (s) is (are) preferably oriented towards the market of hospital infections and should (and), to have an immediate market value, preferably be used for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, postoperative wound ...
Optimization of probiotics via experimental evolution: towards a treatment less prone to (antibiotic) resistance development KU Leuven
Identification of adaptive mechanisms leading to reduced antibiotic susceptibility in bacterial biofilms using experimental evolution and machine learning approaches Ghent University
Because many mechanisms of reduced sensitivity in bacterial biofilms are still unknown, it is impossible to predict resistance. In this project we will allow bacteria to evolve in vitro in the presence of antibiotics, in order to map all mutations, differences in gene expression and relevant phenotypic characteristics. This will allow to develop a prediction algorithm using machine learning.
What is responsible antibiotic use? A search for a global definition, associated measures, its barriers and ethical aspects. Hasselt University
Integrating long-read metagenomics sequencing in precision medicine and antibiotic stewardship for acute respiratory tract infections. University of Antwerp
Evaluation of the risk of resistance development against antivirulence therapy Ghent University
Antivirulence therapy is a promising novel method to control (antibiotic resistant) infections. In this respect, interfering with quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication, is the most intensively investigated strategy. There still is debate with respect to the risk of resistance
development against such a strategy. In this project, we will evaluate this risk in a host-pathogen model system.