Projects
Disruptive endometriosis: unraveling its pathogenesis and concomitant infertility with cutting-edge organoid models and tissue mimics KU Leuven
Nuclear transfer technology for the prevention of mitochondrial diseases and infertility Ghent University
Since mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diseases can not be cured, their prevention is an absolute priority. Recently, germline nuclear transfer (NT) has been proposed as novel technique for preventing mutant mtDNA transmission and for some infertility cases. For safety and efficacy issues, further optimization and validation of these NT techniques by using animal models is necessary prior to their clinical translation.
Confocal laser scanning microscopy for infertility and stem cell research Ghent University
The Fluoview FV3000 (Olympus, Belgium) is a self-contained confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscope, that allows for capturing confocal images that can be modified and studied on later on. For the different research topics that we are currently studying, confocal imaging is a frequently used tool to analyze our data both for clinical (diagnosis) and research purposes.
Infertility patients' decisions about the disposition of cryopreserved embryos. Ghent University
A study about patients' disposition decisions about cryopreserved embryos (discarding, donation to others for reproductive purposes, donation for science) including: a qualitative in-dept interview study with patients, a mail survey with patients whose embryos are stored for at least two years, and a registration study of patients' decisions at the Department for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Ghent.
Agronomic and environmental assessment of bio-based fertilisers recovered from the processing of food and animal wastes. Ghent University
Novel bio-based fertilisers recovered from the processing of food and animal wastes have the potential to supplement or replace conventional mineral fertilisers. This PhD focuses on the comprehensive evaluation of such recovered fertilisers to determine their physicochemical composition, agronomic efficiency, and environmental performance in terms of carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions.
Assessment of the fertilising properties and environmental impact of biobased materials via the cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Ghent University
Towards Sustainable Soil Management: Optimising fertilisers through Engineering of Biochar-Phosphogypsum Composites Hasselt University
Novel agro-industrial pathways for nitrogen recovery : Product assessment and market uptake Ghent University
The agronomic potential and environmental impacts of various recycling-derived fertilisers obtained from biomass streams have not fully comprehended. This PhD aims to study recovered nitrogen fertilisers as an alternative to their synthetic counterparts by assessing their performance under controlled and uncontrolled conditions in extensive product characterisation and plant growth experiments.
The role of proteases during in vitro fertilisation in pigs Ghent University
Enzymen are major players during fertilization. We will evaluate the effect op proteases on in vitro fertilization in the pig, next we will identify the proteases and subsequently determine the expression and distribution of proteases in porcine oocytes and also the influence of oviductal proteases. The data will hopefully lead to a model that can prevent the occurrence of polyspermy during porcine in vitro fertilisation.