Projects
Role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of obstructive airway diseases Ghent University
Genetic predisposition and the environment play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obstructive airway diseases, such as asthma and COPD. This translational project will unravel the contribution of epigenetic changes, in particular of microRNAs, in the pathogenesis of both diseases using expression analyses, in vitro studies on human cell cultures and in vivo research on murine models of asthma en COPD.
Gene-Environment iNteractions in the pathogenesis of Tobacco smoking-induced Lung diseases (GENT-Lung) Ghent University
This interdisciplinary coordinated research action aims at elucidating geneenvironment interactions in three highly prevalent smoking-induced lung diseases with important morbidity, disability and mortality: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD) and lung cancer. Ultimately, the aim is to elucidate pathogenetic pathways and networks, to identify new targets and to develop new drugs to alleviate these common respiratory ...
Role of TGF-beta superfamily members BMP-6, GDF-15 and TGFbeta2 in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Ghent University
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality throughout the world. COPD is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory reaction of the lungs to cigarette smoking, resulting in airflow limitation due to destruction of lung tissue (= emphysema) and structural changes in and around the airways. Therapies or drugs that slow down the accelerated decline in lung function in patients with COPD are still lacking. Insights ...
Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) severity and disease phenotypes on bronchial epithelial cell immune responses to (non-)infective triggers. University of Antwerp
Translational and epidemiological research on the pathogenesis of and host factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Ghent University
Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease (COPD) is a disease which is characterized by progressive airflow limitation. COPD is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious gases. Only 20% of smokers develop COPD, implicating a genetic influence. In this prospective cohort study, we will try to identify which (genetic) determinants are associated with COPD.
RNA-MAGIC: RNA-based bioMArkers and tarGets In asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Ghent University
Through multidisciplinary collaboration within this interfaculty RNA-MAGIC consortium, we will discover novel prognostic and theragnostic RNA-based biomarkers in asthma and COPD. By combining transcriptional profiling of airway epithelial cells with CRISPR-interference and drug repurposing investigations, the consortium will identify novel therapeutic targets in asthma and COPD, validate these in vivo using translational approaches, and ...
Small airway homeostasis, the Achilles heel of the lung driving chronic lung disease? KU Leuven
Physical activity and coaching in patients with chronic respiratory diseases KU Leuven
Physical fitness and physical activity are important to maintain health in the general population, but also in patients suffering a chronic lung disease. Physical activity has been related to morbidity and mortality in several lung diseases.
During the last decades, research has provided insight into the physical activity pattern in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the possible consequences of low physical ...