Projects

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A system biological analysis of metal induced responses in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. University of Antwerp

Ronny Blust
Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE)
In the framework of this project we want to perform a comparative study of metal regulation, compartmentalisation and toxicity in the genetically well characterised zebrafish, Danio rerio, for two essential (copper and zinc) and one nonessential (cadmium) metals. We want to determine the similarities and differences in metal handling and resulting responses after exposure under three physiologically different conditions.

Danio rerio: a “humanized” in vivo model for the study of non-cell autonomous mechanisms in ALS KU Leuven

Ludo Van Den Bosch
Laboratory for Neurobiology (VIB-KU Leuven), Molecular Biodiscovery

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of both upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). In this regard, in the last years the non-cell autonomous contribution of reactive astrocytes has been considered as extremely influential to the course of the pathology. Unfortunately, in-vitro 2D cultures and mouse models are not capable to fully recapitulate molecular pathological features and motor ...

Use of fluorescent probes to study pharmacokinetics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae KU Leuven

Peter de Witte
Molecular Biodiscovery, Drug Delivery and Disposition

Despite the number of tools available for detecting toxicity in the drug discovery pipeline, post-marketing withdrawal due to toxic effects continues to be of an issue in the pharmaceutical industry. Many efforts have been made over the last years to improve the predictivity of in vitro and in vivo models that preclinically determine safety profiles of chemicals. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) offer new opportunities in this regard ...

Unraveling the susceptibility and pathogenesis of viral infections using zebrafish KU Leuven

Peter de Witte
Molecular Biodiscovery, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute)
Knowledge on the biology and pathogenesis of human viruses has long been hindered by the lack of robust and physiologically relevant culture systems and small animal models. Our team has recently established a robust human norovirus replication model in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a small optically transparent animal, suitable for live imaging and whole-organism pathology. Although noroviruses are the most common cause of foodborne illness and have ...

Aquaculture meets Biomedicine: Innovation in Skeletal Health research Ghent University

Paul Witten
Department of Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of Münster, Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute, University of Algarve, University of Liège, Marche Polytechnic University, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Inserm

Skeletal anomalies in farmed fish are a continuous problem for global aquaculture, affecting fish welfare, performance, and product quality. Aquaculture research has made considerable progress in reducing the incidence of deformities, but new species, intensified production, the damned for sterile fish, delicate early life stages and new fish feed ingredients are a continuous challenge. The use of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias ...

Bioactivation of human proteratogens in the zebrafish embryo model, a potential alternative test for development toxicity assessment. University of Antwerp

Steven Van Cruchten
Natural Products and Food - Research and Analysis (NatuRA), Molecular, Cellular and Network Excitability (MCNE), Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD)
Within Europe, alternative methods for toxicity assessment of xenobiotics become very important. For developmental toxicity, the mouse Embryonic Stem Cell test and the rat Whole Embryo Culture are commonly used, but assays in non-mammalian whole organisms are currently proposed as they more fully represent the complexity of early development. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the preferred species due to their small size, high fecundity and ...

Reaction phenotyping and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of xenobiotic CYP isoenzymes in the zebrafish embryo: effects on bioactivation of prodrugs and normal functioning. University of Antwerp

Steven Van Cruchten
Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD)
Within Europe, alternative in vitro methods for toxicity assessment of xenobiotics become very important. For developmental toxicity, the mouse Embryonic Stem Cell test and the rat Whole Embryo Culture are commonly used, but assays in non-mammalian species, as a whole organism, are currently proposed as they more fully represent the complexity of early development. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is one of the preferred species due to their small ...

Modeling Renal Fibrosis in Zebrafish Using Aristolochic Acid I KU Leuven

Peter de Witte
Molecular Biodiscovery

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health problem that is characterized by a slow and progressive loss of kidney function. The endpoint of virtually all progressive renal diseases is fibrosis, characterized histologically by an excessive accumulation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) disrupting the normal histo-architecture of the organ.

The number of renal fibrosis patients doubled from 1990 to 2016 making it ...

Paget's disease of bone: molecular genetic investigation of the NFkB signaling regulating genes CBL, CBLB, and NR4A1 and functional validation in vitro and in Danio rerio. University of Antwerp

Wim Van Hul
Medical Genetics (MEDGEN), Medical genetics of obesity and skeletal disorders (MGENOS)
Bone may look static, but it is a highly dynamic organ in which the tissue is continuously broken down and formed anew by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively. A disturbance between the activities of these cells leads to bone diseases. Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is the second most prevalent bone disorder, affecting 2-5% of Caucasian individuals >55 years of age. PDB is caused by defects in the bone-resorbing osteoclasts which become ...

Zebrafish - a small-animal model for ADME studies KU Leuven

Deirdre Cabooter
Pharmaceutical Analysis, Molecular Biodiscovery

In the course of lead optimization and candidate selection, ADME-studies are performed to describe the disposition of pharmaceuticals within a biological system. Hereto, high throughput screenings (HTS) are performed in order to exclude unsuitable candidates in a fast way, thus sparing time and money by concentrating efforts only on the most promising chemicals. Several models are currently available for the measurement of drug uptake in the ...