Projects
Epigenetic shock: Early alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications as part of the plant immune response Ghent University
This proposal aims to deliver fundamental insights into the role of the ‘epigenetic shock’, namely early DNA hypomethylation and histone modification changes, in plant immunity. Hereto, two model plants, Arabidopsis and rice, will be studied. Existing fragmented data will be expanded, conservation over different stimuli will be checked and the causes and consequences of the epigenetic shock will be assessed.
An epigenetic DNA modification signature as a biomarker for prognosis in children with neuroblastoma Ghent University
We wish to validate a DNA methylation prognostic classifier that can differentiate between high-risk and low-risk neuroblastoma patients. To select candidate markers, MBD2-sequencing will be performed on primary tumor samples, combined with an integrative analysis of earlier research results. Using MSP, these markers will then be validated in independent patient sets and on patient bone marrow and serum samples.
Replic-ON project – Pioneering the investigation of self-amplifying messenger RNA electroporation for long-lasting ex vivo transfection of immune cells. University of Antwerp
PromethION: nanopore sequencer for high-throughput and long read high-fidelity DNA and RNA sequencing allowing fast decoding of (epi)genomes and (epi)transcriptomes Ghent University
The PromethION (Oxford Nanopore) is a standalone benchtop instrument designed for highthroughput, high-sample number nanopore sequencing. This third generation sequencing technology allows unprecedented opportunities such as direct epitranscriptome analysis, sequencing of extremely long reads and real-time data analysis. This groundbreaking technology differs from the
mostly used second generation short-read sequencing and allows ...
DNA methylome and RNA transcriptoom analysis in proximal tubular cells, blood and urine during development of chronic kidney disease in mice University of Antwerp
T cell plasticity in health and disease. KU Leuven
Appropriate immune responses are the result of a delicate balance between effector T cells, which fight infections and cause symptoms of inflammation, and regulatory T cells, which dampen the immune response once the pathogen has been cleared. Both cell types can temporarily or permanently adopt features of the other, a process known as cellular plasticity. This plasticity can be advantageous, however the process can also go wrong, leading to ...
Study of the interplay between Z-form dsRNA and ADAR1: revealing the mechanisms that prevent autoinflammatory disease and mapping their interaction at the molecular level. Ghent University
ADAR1 binds RNA in the A-conformation (A-RNA) and the atypical Z-conformation (Z-RNA). Modification of endogenous A-RNA by ADAR1 inhibits unwanted activation of immune sensors. Whether ADAR1 additionally prevents erroneous detection of Z-RNA is unknown. We will study the molecular interplay between ADAR1 and Z-RNA and determine the consequences of disrupted interactions during the development of human autoimmune disease.