Projects
Dynamics of team learning and development in blended work environments KU Leuven
Generation of potent, broadly betacoronavirus neutralizing antibody constructs Ghent University
Betacoronaviruses can cause deadly, rapidly spreading zoonotic infections. The world is currently witnessing the global spread of COVID-19, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and has killed already almost 3000 people. There are no vaccines or antivirals on the market to prevent or treat disease caused by these newly emerging beta coronaviruses. The aim of this project is to develop an antibody-based biological that can neutralize a broad range of ...
Repurposing lung surfactant protein B for inhalation therapy with RNA therapeutics Ghent University
RNA therapeutics, including small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA), are poised to revolutionize medicine. However, despite a clear unmet medical need in many lung diseases, no RNA formulations are currently available for pulmonary use. To unlock the full therapeutic potential of RNA, safe and efficient nanocarriers that can deliver them inside target cells are required. This project aims to develop inhalable nanoformulations ...
Mechanisms and Diagnosis of Mast Cell and Basophil Activation in Rare Hypersensitivity Disorders KU Leuven
Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated response of the immune system to harmless triggers. In Type I hypersensitivity or allergy, effector cells (mast cells and basophils) are activated through allergen-induced cross-linking of surface-bound allergen-specific IgE antibodies, leading to degranulation and systemic release of inflammatory mediators. This can result in a potentially life-threatening rapid-onset clinical syndrome affecting the ...
Using artificial intelligence to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people Ghent University
According to the WHO, over 5% of the world population suffers from hearing loss. This is expected to double by 2050. Hearing loss is estimated to cost society over 750 billion US dollars globally, per year. The Flemish government subsidizes up to 36 hours of interpreter aid per deaf person per year, which also leads to high costs. These interpreters facilitate communication between people with hearing loss and those without. After all, the ...
Hybrid machine learning with BIM for energy optimization and dweller well-being in smart buildings Ghent University
Residential and commercial buildings consume 40% of the total energy, 70% of the total electricity and are responsible for 41% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is important to eliminate any energy wastage in buildings. The dwellers of these buildings, i.e. the knowledge workers, spend 86% of their time indoors, so this building environment has a large impact on their well-being. The management of these buildings is today done by ...
Cyber dating abuse: Towards a clear conceptualisation and examination of a heart-breaking online phenomenon Ghent University
The internet provides ample opportunities for romantic partners to interact, sometimes in a harmful manner. The use of technological applications to express excessive controlling and monitoring behaviours and verbal aggression towards a partner is called cyber dating abuse (CDA). Although some research has already studied the prevalence and nature of CDA, there are still three important knowledge gaps. First, to date, there is no consensus on ...
Populism as radical opportunism: Case studies in strategic image-building by right-wing populist parties in Europe KU Leuven
This dissertation examines how right-wing populist parties in Europe use image-building strategies (such as exceptionalism, underdogism, challengerism, and crisis discourse) to distinguish themselves from other parties, in order to capitalize on perceived policy convergence. It posits that populism is, at its core, a form of “radical opportunism” more so than a political movement with an underlying ideology. This explains why populism is so ...
Assessing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for pregnancy and as possible cause of birth defects KU Leuven
Since December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 spreads
over the globe. Mortality rate is highest among the elderly while people at reproductive age
usually experience mild or no symptoms. At current, data on SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy
are limited. Whereas infection during late trimester pregnancy seems to occur without adverse
events, a recent study reported maternal and neonatal complications if the ...