Projects
Translational research on the role of the Hedgehog pathway, ADAM19 and HTR4 in the pathogenesis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Ghent University
In a Genome Wide Association (GWA) study we identified SNPs that are significantly associated with lung function in the genes encoding Hedgehog Interacting Protein (HHIP), A Disintegrin and Metallopeptidase domain 19 (ADAM19) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor receptor 4 (HTR4). We will study the expression and function of these genes in a mouse model of COPD and in patients with COPD.
Translational research on the role of the Hedgehog pathway; ADAM19 and HTR4 in the pathogenesis of COPD Ghent University
Recently, a Genome Wide Association study on lung function has identified 8 genetic loci that are associated with the ratio of the forced respiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to the forced vital capacity (FVC). We investigate the role of 3 genes - Hedgehog Interacting Protein (HHIP); a disingretin and metallopeptidase domain 19 (ADAM19) and 5-hydroxytryptaminereceptor 4 (HTR4) - in a mousemodel of COPD and in human subjects.
Impact of different radiation qualities on molecular and functional changes in cancer cells: Role of Hedgehog signaling? KU Leuven
Hadrontherapy is an advanced technique in the field of external beam radiotherapy (RT) that makes use of charged particles such as protons or carbon ions. Several advantages of hadrontherapy over conventional radiotherapy with photons exist, including a superior dose localization, a higher linear energy transfer (LET) and a higher relative biological effectiveness.
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a pathway implicated in the ...
Hedgehog signaling in prostate cancer: clinical relevance and its potential as a target for radiosensitization KU Leuven
While the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is essential for numerous processes during embryonic development, its role in adult tissues is more limited. However, there is increasing evidence of uncontrolled reactivation of the Hh signaling pathway in various types of cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa). Emerging data in the literature suggest that the Hh pathway is involved in the development of this disease as well as in the progression to ...
Study of osteoarthritis-associated genes using zebrafish and chick developmental models. KU Leuven
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disorder of the synovial joints and a leading cause of impaired movement and pain, affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by a progressive degradation of the articular cartilage and associated defects of the subchondral bone. Over the past decades, genetic and environmental risk factors that predispose to OA have been intensively investigated. Remarkably, many of the OA-associated genes ...
LOCALIZATION AND REGULATION OF GAMMA-SECRETASE IN CILIOGENESIS: IMPLICATIONS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE KU Leuven
Cilia project from the surface of most vertebrate cells, and are important for several physiological and developmental processes. Ciliary defects are linked to a wide variety of human diseases, named ciliopathies, underscoring the importance of understanding signaling pathways involved in cilia formation and maintenance. Here we show that Rer1p, a protein quality control receptor residing in the ER-Golgi ...
Development and validation of a novel rationally designed immunotherapeutic combination strategy built upon targeting RANK(L) for cervical cancer. University of Antwerp
The chicken cerebellum as a model to study the impact of monocarboxylate transporter 8 deficiency on early brain development KU Leuven
Thyroid hormones (THs) have been characterised as important regulatory factors of vertebrate brain development. As such, they contribute to a wide variety of neurodevelopmental processes that depend on adequate TH levels as well as a correct timing of TH access to distinct neural cells in order to obtain a fully functional brain. This strict regulation of local TH availability is the result of a complex interplay between TH transporters ...