Projects
Identification and characterization of clinically relevant cys-loop receptors. KU Leuven
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) are of high clinical relevance due to their central role in fast synaptic neurotransmission in both the central and peripheral nervous system. They are involved in the disease mechanism of numerous disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy and startle disease. Unraveling the 3-dimensional structures of pLGICs can provide insights in ligand recognition, channel gating, ...
Electric field dependence of quantum dot (QD) photoluminescence under single ph oton and two-photon illumination: towards membrane voltage QD sensors KU Leuven
Optical stimulation and detection of neuronal signals with high spatio-temporal resolution are of major importance in neuroscience. Quantum dots (QDs) have been used in biological applications primarily in the imaging field, where the interfaces created between such particles and cells were mainly passive (no influence of the QDs on the cellular properties) [1]. On the other hand, semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) display ...
Modulation and generation of plasma membrane cation channels by silica nanoparticles KU Leuven
Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have numerous beneficial properties and are extensively used in cosmetics and food industries as anti-caking, densifying and hydrophobic agents. However, the increasing exposure levels experienced by the general population and the ability of SiNPs to penetrate cells and tissues have raised concerns about possible toxic effects of this material. The airway epithelium is one of the most important entry routes of ...
Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis in a mouse model using adeno-associated viral vectors KU Leuven
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common monogenic life-threatening disease in the Caucasian population, caused by mutations in CFTR, a chloride/bicarbonate channel that regulates fluid transport across epithelium of different organs (airways, pancreas, intestine, sweat glands and vas deferens). CF affects multiple organs, but lung pathology is the major clinical manifestation. Mutations in the CFTR gene lead to an imbalance ...
Functional circuits in the early auditory system: structure and function. KU Leuven
With this project we study several circuits and phenomena at the level of the auditory brainstem. The main experimental questions regard
- the processing of sounds that evoke a perception of pitch
- the effects of activation of the efferent system - which is a system by which the brain exerts control over the cochlea
- contextual effects in the dorsal cochlear nucleus
- sensitivity to binaural differences in the ...
Sleep cycle correlation with learning and olfaction, memory and sleepless condition KU Leuven
Over the decades, a plethora of different studies endeavored to answer an apparently basic question: why do animals sleep? Several sleep theories have been presented and fluctuations in biological patterns have been measured during sleep, but the purpose remains elusive. Nowadays, the crucial problem correlated to the definition of the exact role of sleep is that there is an incomplete notion of what sleep really is: its understanding is ...
Combined single-channel electrophysiology and fluorescence microscopy for fundamental studies of ion channel function Ghent University
Patch-clamp electrophysiology allows detailed investigations of ion channel function at the level of conformational changes in individual proteins in real-time. Combined with laser-scanning microscopy and fluorescent indicators, the technique allows to monitor additional signals that are involved in ion channel regulation. Overall, the approach is an essential tool for obtaining insight into the physiology/pharmacology of ion channels and ...
Patch-clamp fluorometry platform for unravelling the structure-function relationship of the GlyR Hasselt University
Patch-clamp fluorometry platform for unraveling the structure-function relationschip of the glycine receptor KU Leuven
The glycine receptor (GlyR) is a protein involved in neuron communication. It is present in the membrane of neuron cells of the spinal cord and brain. Upon binding of glycine it transports chloride ions, thereby fine-tuning neuron activity. The alpha 3 type GlyR is a promising target to treat pain, but more fundamental insights on receptor structure and function are needed. As it comprises five subunits, different combinations of subunits ...