Projects
Can non-invasive myocardial stiffness measurements characterize the dysfunctional septum in the presence of a left bundle branch block? KU Leuven
Heart failure is a progressive disease with a morbidity and mortality similar to cancers. It is often associated with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) conduction delay, causing typical left ventricular (LV) remodelling with a thin and dysfunctional septal wall. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can compensate for the conduction delay and may reverse the remodelling, mainly by recovering septal function. Unfortunately, its non-responder ...
Right ventricular and atrial function in nature’s ultimate athlete: the horse Ghent University
Regular exercise improves health and leads to cardiac remodeling known as the athlete’s heart.
However, emerging data suggest that exercise-related pressure and volume overload may result in
detrimental remodeling of the right ventricle (RV) or atria. This has been linked to arrhythmias and
sudden death in athletes.
In this project, the horse will be used as an animal model for exercise-induced cardiac remodeling as ...
Function and regulation of the polyamine transporter ATP13A3 in polyamine homeostasis KU Leuven
Polyamines are physiologically important cations that support vital cell functions, but their levels decline with ageing. A disturbed polyamine homeostasis is implicated in ageing-related disorders, whereas polyamine supplementation promotes longevity. Cells acquire polyamines via biosynthesis, or via uptake through the polyamine transport system (PTS). We recently established ATP13A3 as a major component of the PTS that is genetically ...
Probe development for molecular imaging of low-voltage gated calcium channels (LTCC). KU Leuven
Normal cardiac function and regular heart rhythm are responsible for our well-being. Cardiac ion channels are pore-forming membrane proteins that orchestrate heart rhythm and contraction through myocardial action potentials. Cardiac low voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (LTCC) define the shape of the action potential in cardiomyocytes and promote excitation-contraction coupling. Previous electrophysiological in vitro studies have revealed that ...
Revealing the transport function of the mammalian P5-type ATPases KU Leuven
P-type transport ATPases are a large family of transport proteins that use ATP to drive the transport of a ligand from one side of a cellular membrane to the other. Of the five subfamilies (P1-5), P1-3 members represent ion or proton transporters, while P4 ATPases translocate lipids between membrane leaflets. The transport function of the five human P5-type ATPases, ATP13A1-5, is not yet established, despite their connections to diseases like ...
Therapeutic innovations in the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia KU Leuven
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of sildenafil as a prenatal therapy in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Identificatie van kleine moleculaire ErbB4 agonisten ter behandeling van cardiovasculaire ziekten. University of Antwerp
Right ventricular and atrial function in nature’s ultimate athlete: the horse Ghent University
The horse is used as an animal model for exercise-induced right ventricular and atrial remodeling, which has been linked to arrhythmias and sudden death in human athletes. The effect of induced pulmonary hypertension and exercise training on right ventricular and atrial function and structure is investigated using echocardiography, electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers and myocardial biopsies.