Projects
Treatment of erectile dysfunction following cavernous nerve injury with adipose-tissue derived stem cells: efficacy and insights into the mechanisms of action of stem cell therapy. KU Leuven
New strategies of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activation and their potential role in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction Ghent University
sGC is a cardinal enzyme in the maintenance of blood pressure and for eliciting erection. NO released from endothelial cells and NANC neurons is the main activator. Recently designed drugs that directly stimulate sGC independent of NO or that stimulate sGC through generation of CO are of potential clinical interest. The project aims ro discover the basic mechanism of action of these drugs.
Tumescence Wearable App Hasselt University
Stem Cell and Stromal Vascular Fraction Treatment for Penile Tunica Albuginea and Urethral Fibrosis KU Leuven
Fibrosis is a wound healing disorder and it is defined by the excessive accumulation of fibrous connective tissue, such as collagen and fibronectin, in and around inflamed or damaged tissue. Although collagen and fibronectin deposition is an indispensable and, typically, reversible part of wound healing, normal tissue repair can evolve into a progressively irreversible fibrotic response if the tissue injury is severe or repetitive or if the ...
New avenues in the management of pelvic floor disorders: experimental secondary prevention and medium term outcomes of abdominal mesh surgery KU Leuven
Pelvic floor disorders (PFD) include pelvic organ prolapse (POP), urinary (UI) & fecal incontinence (FI), sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. Twelve years after first vaginal delivery around 23% of women leak urine at least once a week, and around 24% of women have stage 2+ POP1 The prevalence of FI in women increases with age, from 6% in women < 40 years rising to 15% in older women. Up to 50% of the patients with FI also report UI.2 ...
Development and evaluation of PET ligands for the in vivo visualisation of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). KU Leuven
The role of soluble guanylate cyclase isoforms in the relaxation effect of vascular smooth muscle cells and in penile corpora cavernosa Ghent University
Erection and vasorelaxation under the influence of NO and NO-releasing substances is based on activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase, existing in different isoforms. Using transgene mices, his project aims to find out the specific isoforms involved in these processes. This is important for the development of selective drugs for the treatment of hypertension and erectile dysfunction.