Projects
Introducing diagnostic applications of '3Gb-testing' in human genetics KU Leuven
The landscape of genetic testing is rapidly changing. Soon, whole genome sequence analysis (3Gb-testing) will be an effective and financially viable alternative to targeted gene analysis. New technologies that allow efficient sequencing of a whole human genome in a diagnostic setting will have an enormous impact on diagnostic centres replacing many existing molecular and cytogenetic tests.
Patients deserve to benefit from our vastly ...
Research at the interface between human genetics and reproduction. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Malformations of cortical development (MCD) represent a major cause of developmental disabilities and severe epilepsy. Polymicrogyria (PMG) is a heterogeneous condition, with respect to both phenotype and genotype. In the first part ...
Evolutionary genetics of human cold adaptation KU Leuven
Genetic adaptations are important in determining the long-term survival and distribution of species across a range of different environments. Humans are a tropically adapted species that expanded only recently to high latitudes. The genetic basis and the molecular mechanisms that govern human adaptation to high latitude environments, including adaptations to diet and cold, remain incompletely understood. The major objectives of this research ...
The missing variability of the Human Gut Microbiome what is the role of host genetics? KU Leuven
The human intestinal tract contains billions of bacteria and archaea, they train our immune system, digest food and provide energy, and at the same time defend host against infectious bacteria. Studies have identified multiple environmental factors affecting the gut flora composition: diet, living habits, gender and disease have great impact. However, much less knowledge is there for the effects of host genetics, and none for the interplay of ...
Evolutionary epidemiology of schistosomiasis in the Senegal River Basin. Linking parasite genetics with human infection and disease KU Leuven
Schistosomiasis is a major poverty-related disease, infecting more than 200 million people in developing countries. More than 90% of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by infection with Schistosoma flatworms that reside in the vascular system of the definitive host. Freshwater snails are the intermediate hosts of schistosomes and essential for the completion of their life cycle. Praziquantel is currently the only ...
The genetics behind historical socio-demography in Flanders revealed by the human Y-chromosome: an interdisciplinary approach KU Leuven
The male-specific and non-recombining Y-chromosome (chrY) serves as a powerful tool for genetic-genealogy. But, as a chrY-specific sequencing panel did not exist, it has not been linked to a genealogical database yet. During my PhD, I developed the first chrY-specific sequencing panel, the CSYseq, providing a large dataset of 15,813 interesting Y-markers. This CSYseq is useful to determine evolutionary biogeographical ancestry and to identify ...
Schistosomiasis: the role of parasite genetics in human infection and disease Institute of Tropical Medicine
Novel forward genetics screening methodology in human HEK293 cells. Ghent University
Forward genetic approaches are at the basis of much of our understanding of cellular biology. But such approaches are poorly established for mammalian cells. The aim of the project is to optimize and explore the scope of a method for 'directed cell line evolution' that makes use of the property of HEK293-cells to evolve through a more natural mutation-accumulation process.