Projects
Multilevel functional characterization of the miRNome in cancer (Kom op tegen Kanker) Ghent University
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Deregulation of their function, either through altered expression levels or sequence mutation, has been linked to both initiation and progression of malignancy. In my PhD research. I applied a combination of high-throughput experimental strategies and advanced data-analyses to gain insights into the basic cellular functions, the molecular pathways and the genes regulated by ...
Refining cancer cell death and danger signals for the improvement of immunotherapy Ghent University
Interaction between dying cancer cells and the immune cells is crucial for eliciting productive
antitumor immunity that ultimately dictates the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell deathassociated
immunostimulatory signals (e.g. danger signals), clearance of cell corpses, tumor
antigen availability and antigen processing/presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs),
dictate the immunogenic and antigenic potential ...
Refining cancer cell death and danger signals for the improvement of immunotherapy KU Leuven
Interaction between dying cancer cells and the immune cells is crucial for eliciting productive antitumor immunity that ultimately dictates the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cell deathassociated immunostimulatory signals (e.g. danger signals), clearance of cell corpses, tumor antigen availability and antigen processing/presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), dictate the immunogenic and antigenic potential of dying cancer cells. ...
Stichting tegen Kanker: "Agreement for the acquisition of an Advanced Technology Equipment Year 2022" Ghent University
Stichting tegen Kanker: Advanced technology equipment: Small Animal Radiation Therapy platform (SmART+) Ghent University
The SmART+ platform (Precision) is a state-of-the-art focal irradiation system that mimics clinical radiotherapy and imaging. It is a perfect X-ray irradiator to test novel and current treatments in combination with radiation (translational studies on radiotherapy/drugs/immunotherapy combinations) in preclinical models such as mice, rats, cells and patient-derived organoids (https://precisionxray.com/small-animal-igrt/). The application has ...
Integrated biology-driven diagnostic and therapeutic management of neuroblastoma (Stichting tegen Kanker) Ghent University
This project aims to refine the prognosis and increase the effectiveness of the treatment of neuroblastoma, a very aggressive cancer in children. The first part of the project focuses on the development and validation of a prognostic signature tumor (microRNA) based on a simple blood test in patients. This non-invasive method should be used to identify patients who do not benefit from current therapeutic approaches. Thus these children have ...
Improved outcome prediction of children with neuroblastoma using an integrated m/miRNA and DNA methylation signature (Stichting tegen Kanker) Ghent University
In this project, we aim to identify and validate a robust messenger/microRNA-DNA methylation signature that can identify NB patients with unfavorable prognosis. In this project three major parts can be distinguished, in which prognostic (a) messenger/microRNA expression signatures and (b) DNA methylation signatures will be established, as well as (c) a signature based on the integration of both. These three parts will be separately discussed ...