Projects
Investigation of the role of Sip1 in BMP-controlled aldult neurogenesis in the mouse central nervous system in baseline conditions and upon stroke. KU Leuven
The role of MMPs and TIMPs in commissural axon pathfinding during spinal cord development in the embryonic mouse. KU Leuven
Study on the role of beta cell serotonin during pregnancy in the mouse. KU Leuven
Pregnancy is period in which the maternal body has to undergo several adaptations to meet the
demands of the fetus, for example in pancreatic beta cells. Pregnancy hormones stimulate prolactin
receptors (PRLRs) on beta cells to increase their capacity to produce insulin. In the last years, several
studies have been conducted on these changes in beta cells. Pancreatic islets of non-pregnant and
pregnant mice (at ...
The role of furine in the liver: characterization of a new mouse model of NASH. KU Leuven
The biological role of hepatic Furin was investigated using conditional knock-out approaches in homeostatic and challenged conditions, including liver regeneration and HCC. On the one hand, the genetic inactivation of Furin in the liver under homeostatic conditions using AlfpCre Recombinase technology led to the characterization of an artifact related to the AlfpCre transgene explaining the phenotypes of post-natal growth retardation and ...
A preclinical study to treat neuromuscular diseases caused by mutations in the small heat shock protein HSPB8 University of Antwerp
The role of the ApoE receptor LRP1 in processes relevant for the development of the metabolic syndrome. KU Leuven
The relevance of LRP1 in the metabolism of Abeta, the major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. KU Leuven
Cognition and Behavior in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Legius Syndrome KU Leuven
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
is a frequent autosomal dominant genetic disorder (1/2700 newborns). It is known as a RASopathy, caused by a mutation in the NF1 gene encoding neurofibromin, which is a negative regulator of the RAS (Rat sarcoma) / MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) pathway. This pathway has an important role in the process of cell proliferation and differentiation. However in recent years, ...Functional characterization of human neurons in the human-mouse chimeric model for Alzheimer’s disease KU Leuven
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and main cause of dementia among the elderly. It is estimated that about 50 million are affected with dementia worldwide and the prevalence is expected to triple by 2050(1.2). For most of the AD cases (late-onset), 40 susceptibility loci may contribute to the AD according to the genome-wide association studies(3). While for early-onset AD, mutations in genes encoding ...