Projects
Screening for molecular adjuvants to enhance cytoplasmic delivery of small interfering RNA in cancer cells Ghent University
Cancer remains one of the most attractive disease targets for RNA interference (RNAi)-based
therapeutics. To facilitate in vivo delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cancer cells, they are
typically formulated into nanoparticles (nanomedicines). The latter are designed to overcome the
many extra- and intracellular barriers encountered en route to the intracellular site-of-action (i.e.
the cytosol). Unfortunately, ...
Targeted delivery of PEGylated adeno-associated viral vectors Ghent University
The recent discovery of genes that play a role in the development of life-threatening diseases, including cancer and certain viral infections has significantly stimulated the research into new treatment options based on genes and recently also "small interfering" RNAs (siRNAs). Genes and siRNAs have a great therapeutic potential, but when after administration to patients they are unable to reach the desired cells and cannot penetrate into ...
NMR and molecular modelling investigations of hydroxyl apatite – DNA immunestimulator nanoplatforms for improved vaccine delivery Ghent University
There is an urgent need for safe vaccines against many dangerous diseases; however, avoiding side effects is a major prerequisite in ensuring patient compliance. To address this, new generation vaccines with safe but weakly immunogenic antigens are formulated together with carriers and/or adjuvants to induce the desired immunological response. The use of nanoparticles as carriers for vaccines, also known as nanovaccinology, is a promising ...
Pulmonary delivery of small RNAs Ghent University
The research project describes the design of pulmonary delivery strategies for small RNAs (siRNA and miRNA) and their evaluation in several in vitro and in vivo therapeutic models. The presented project aims to investigate if an optimized formulation of small RNAs may provide a significant therapeutic benefit.
cytotoxic T cells as transport vehicles for tumor-targeted delivery of nanomedicines Ghent University
Barriers and carriers for non-viral delivery of mRNA to induce transient protein expression in the retina: the hurdles of the inner limiting membrane and innate immunity versus the potential of mRNA self-amplification. Ghent University
Vision loss has a huge impact on patients and their environment. The causes of vision loss often lie in abnormalities in the genetic material of cells in the retina. Messenger RNA (mRNA) administration to the retina has the potential to correct these genetic abnormalities and thus reduce or even reverse the loss of vision. To deliver the mRNA, it is packaged in a nanoparticle that helps the mRNA to reach its target cells. The most safe method ...
Generation of purified biomimetic nanoparticles to stimulate therapeutic delivery to tumor cells KU Leuven
To date, nanoparticle delivery to solid tumors in general, and the specific delivery to cancer cells has remained very low, as most nanoparticles are rapidly sequestered from the blood. To overcome this problem, scientists have looked at the concept of biomimetics, where engineered nanomaterials are surrounded by membranes isolated from natural cells in order to trick the immune system and delay nanoparticle clearance. Here, we aim to improve ...
Optimizing nanomaterial delivery to solid tumors by pharmaceutical and physical means. KU Leuven
The main aim of the current project lies in the development of novel methods to improve the delivery of nanomaterials (NMs) to solid tumors, paving the way for a more specific delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics, minimizing any unwanted side-effects and reducing costs of therapy. To reach these goals, a highly multidisciplinary project is set up, using different sizes of gold NMs, as a role model for NM types, owing to its high biomedical ...
Light-triggered nanobombs for intracellular delivery of functional macromolecules Ghent University
Delivery of functional macromolecules, such as therapeutic nucleic acids, into cells requires overcoming the cell membrane. Photoporation is a recently developed technology that allows to transiently permeabilize the cell membrane through a combination of laser light and gold nanoparticles. Even though photoporation was successfully used to deliver functional molecules into a wide variety of cells, it has proven to be inefficient for very ...