Projects
Natural history and determinants of the burden of medial vascular calcification, using pseudoxanthoma elasticum as a model. Ghent University
In this PhD project, a heritable form of medial vascular calcification (VCm) will be studied namely pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), caused by ABCC6 mutations. The natural history of VCm in PXE patients, causative molecular mechanisms and the role of dysfunctional lipid metabolism will be studied, contributing to improved clinical management and prognosis of patients with VCm phenotypes.
The role of androgens in chronic kidney desease: a missing link in the calcification paradox? KU Leuven
Androgens play an important role in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system, the so-called classical target. However, they also have pleiotropic effects on other organs like bone and kidney. Although it is well established that androgen action is essential for normal bone mass accrual and maintenance in men, the contribution of specific AR effects either directly or indirectly mediated by the kidney is not fully ...