Projects
Viral vector technology as a gene therapeutic tool in search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. KU Leuven
Towards enhanced translational colon-specific in vitro tissue models for assessment of drug disposition, metabolism and safety KU Leuven
The overarching goal of this Ph.D. project is to generate and in-depth characterize suitable colon-specific in vitro models to accurately examine colonic drug disposition, metabolism and assess the safety profile of selected compounds in the colon, with specific focus on reproducibility and scalability for pharmaceutical use. Research activities will include: (1) establishing and characterizing 1 to 2 enhanced translational colon-specific in ...
Personalised Treatment For Cystic Fibrosis Patients With Ultra-rare CFTR Mutations (and beyond). KU Leuven
In our HIT-CF project, we aim to bring personalised disease modifying therapies to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with ultra-rare CFTR mutations, who could otherwise never get access to such treatment. Once we have proven our unique concept, the CF community can easily extend our state-of-the-art methodology to all CF patients such that HIT-CF will impact the entire CF field.
We will achieve our goals by means of a randomised, ...
Exploring the gut barrier as master regulator of microbiome-host interactions in CKD patients using organoid cultures KU Leuven
Gut microbiome derived metabolites have been shown play a role in multiple systemic diseases. The available data support the importance of the host-bacterial interaction in the onset and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This data indicates that CKD associates with a distinct gut microbiota composition and causes a shift towards a predominantly proteolytic fermentation. This shift within the intestinal microbiome is induced by ...
Development of a gut-on-a-chip model for pre-clinical testing of drugs for inflammatory bowel disease KU Leuven
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic progressive disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that poses multiple challenges to treatment development due to its multifactorial character. A valid ex vivo research model that properly mimics the in vivo situation is lacking and pivotal to understand disease driving mechanisms and evaluate preclinical compounds. Intestinal organoids already ...
Next generation biosensors for luminescence lifetime imaging-assisted organoid engineering Ghent University
Progress in molecular imaging of tissue-engineered constructs is currently limited by the poor realisation of sensor biocompatibility (design, delivery, toxicity and performance within the biological material) and the lack of standardised well-accepted assay procedures. I will address these issues by capitalizing on my group’s recent pioneering work in luminescence lifetime imaging microscopy of tissue engineering of adult stem ...
Cross-talk between circadian clock genes and nutrient sensing pathways in the human gut KU Leuven
The circadian rhythm coordinates multiple behavioural and physiological processes in anticipation of daily environmental changes. Epidemiological evidence reveals that disruption of circadian rhythms such as shift work and jet lag may increase the risk of metabolic disorders, obesity and gastrointestinal diseases. Meanwhile, dysregulation of diurnal rhythms is commonly observed in animal models of obesity. Time-restricted feeding has been ...
Exploring innovative model systems of virus replication to unravel virus tropism and pathogenesis KU Leuven
Influence of (processed) red meat on colon cancer: a new in vitro approach Ghent University
Meat is a valuable nutrient source. Yet, epidemiological studies have revealed the colon cancer inducing effect of red and processed meat products. Therefore, the Superior Health Council has recommended to restrict red and processed meat consumption. Mechanisms behind this effect are still not fully understood, and especially the impact of the colonic environment on later stages of colon cancer progression is not well explored. In this ...