Projects
Screening for inhibitors of protein phosphatases that induce mitotic cell death in cancer cells KU Leuven
To this day, cancer is a prevalent disease that accounts for a significant portion of the mortality that is seen in the modern world. The taxanes and vinca alkaloids play a prominent role in the treatment of many types of cancer. These molecules kill cancer cells in mitosis by chronicly activating the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and subsequently inducing mitotic cell death (MCD). However, the clinical use of these molecules has two ...
Spatiotemporal coordination of mitotic phosphatases by the chromosome-associated scaffold protein RepoMan KU Leuven
The progression through cell division is critically dependent on the timely (in)activation of a subset of protein kinases and phosphatases. We have identified the chromosome-associated protein RepoMan as a scaffold for the coordination of at least four distinct phosphatases (PP1, PP2A-B55, PP2A-B56, Fcp1) during nuclear division or mitosis. Here, we propose to explore the basic principles of phosphatase signal integration by RepoMan. We will ...
The interactome and function of the PP1γ interactor RepoMan in mitotic spindle assembly KU Leuven
The role of RepoMan in chromosome-dependent microtubule nucleation
The assembly of a mitotic spindle that makes stable contacts with chromosomes is crucial for accurate cell division. Both the centrosomal and chromosomal pathway of microtubule nucleation contribute to the efficient build-up of the bipolar spindle. The growth of microtubules starts at the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), where γ-tubulin serves as a template for ...
Mitotic function and regulation of the phosphatase scaffold Repo-Man KU Leuven
Exploring the role of intermittent exogenous ketosis on physical and mental fatigue during ultra-endurance performance KU Leuven
The purpose of the study is to establish a better understanding of the exercise fatigue experienced during ultra-endurance performance and the role of intermittent exogenous ketosis in reducing the amount of fatigue to maintain performance during multi-day racing and lower the risk of injury and illness. Two studies have been designed, the first study will be conducted in laboratory controlled setting and the second study will be a field ...
Exogenous ketosis during exercise and training: role of de novo angiogenesis and epigenetic regulation in muscular adaptation KU Leuven
Ketone bodies are compounds that are produced by the liver, mostly under circumstances of fasting or a high fat diet. Recently nutritional supplements were developed, so called ketone esters (KE), that enable us to increase the concentration of ketone bodies without fasting or dieting. We already showed that supplementation with KE during a period of extreme endurance exercise decreases the probability of fatigue or overload. At the same ...
Development of a forward genetic screen platform for diatoms based on mitotic recombination Ghent University
Diatoms are a species-rich group of microalgae with diverse metabolic capabilities and an immense potential for biotechnological application, including the production of biofuels, nutritional compounds and various heterologous molecules. However, the function of a large portion of diatom genes remains unknown. Unraveling the functions of these genes could unlock many novel diatom applications. Recently, we have discovered high mitotic ...
Intermittent exogenous ketosis during exercise and training: exploring the role of de novo angiogenesis and epigenetic regulation in muscular adaptation KU Leuven
We recently demonstrated intermittent exogenous ketosis (IEK) by oral ketone ester intake to stimulate angiogenesis during muscular overload. IEK also inhibited muscle deterioration in a mouse model of cancer cachexia. This project aims to investigate the role of angiogenesis and epigenetic modification in the effects of IEK on exercise-induced muscular remodeling. In vitro experiments involve incubation of myoblasts and endothelial cells ...