Projects
Differential expression and secretion of microRNAs by specific cardiac fibroblast phenotypes KU Leuven
The heart is composed of many cells types, out of which cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts form the majority. Cardiac myocytes are the muscle cells, which are responsible for the rhythmic beating of the heart. Fibroblasts produce proteins which maintain the architecture of the heart. However, after heart attack whereby muscle cells are lost (infarction), fibroblasts modify themselves to become myofibroblasts. These cells produce collagen that ...
Unraveling how ZEB1 expression in conventional type I dendritic cells regulates the presence of other cell types specifically in the spleen and the functional consequences of this regulation. Ghent University
Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) exist as cDC1s and cDC2s and develop from precursors through the concerted action of distinct transcription factors (TFs). Recently, the ZEB family of TFs have been added to the list of TFs mediating cDC development as we and others, have shown that ZEB2 regulates the decision to become a cDC2. Additionally, our data also suggest that its homolog, ZEB1, is a critical cDC TF, specifically regulating splenic ...
Tackling functionality and balanced expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes: a generic toolbox for the production of specialized plant metabolites in bacteria Ghent University
The natural diversity of plant metabolites, such as flavonoids, offers a plethora of attractive attributes through the decoration of a common skeleton. Oxygenation is the most common decoration and is added in the final biochemical steps in the plant endoplasmic reticulum. Industrial production of these specialized flavonoids can be achieved chemically, through plant cell cultures or via extraction. These routes are paired with high costs and ...
A new family of nuclear receptors in Tetranychus urticae, master regulators of gene expression in a polyphagous pest? Ghent University
The spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a serious crop pest with an exceptional ability to metabolize the toxins it encounters in the environment. This allows spider mites to thrive on a remarkable number of different plant species, but also to rapidly develop resistance to acaricides that are used for their control. Spider mites can quickly change the expression of detoxification genes upon exposure and adaptation to toxins. Recently, we ...
Bitter substances in the human gut promote the expression of the stress-related hormone GDF15 to suppress food intake and body weight during obesity: an emerging target for combination therapy KU Leuven
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is increased in response to cellular stress and reduces food intake and body weight by activating its receptor (GRFAL) in the hindbrain. GDF15 mediates the inhibitory effect of metformin, a bitter tasting type 2 diabetes medication, on body weight. Bitter substances in the gut decrease hunger scores in healthy volunteers and decrease body weight in obese mice by affecting the release of appetite ...
Bystanders no more: simple forms and the expression of aspect in the history of English and beyond KU Leuven
contrast to other Germanic languages, Present-day English systematically marks progressive aspect, using BE Ving (e.g. ‘we are eating’). In this, English now behaves typologically as an unbounded language. While BE Ving and its recent rise and grammaticalization have attracted much attention in the literature, little is known about other means of expressing progressive aspect in English, and how the rise of BE Ving affected these. These ...
Correlations between blood and allograft gene expression signatures to improve the diagnosis and monitor treatment of kidney transplant rejection. KU Leuven
Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end stage renal disease. However, allo-reactive immune response against the donor kidney can lead to rejections and increased risk of graft dysfunction or loss. Depending on the immune mechanism involved, rejections can be classified as antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), and mixed rejections. Next to rejection, also signs of over-immunosuppression hamper ...
Heterologous Expression of Calvin Cycle Enzymes in S. cerevisiae for Hemi-Autotrophic Growth and Bioethanol Production in a Novel Yeast-Driven Bionic Leaf KU Leuven
The Bionic Leaf is a hybrid inorganic-biological system that uses the bacterium C. necator and catalysts from the artificial leaf to drive a photosynthetic process for carbon fixation into biomass and liquid fuels. Bacteria such as C. necator are, however, limited in their capabilities to produce industrially relevant levels of fuel. The Bionic Leaf stands to be greatly improved if adapted to exploit yeast fermentation in S. cerevisiae. Two ...