Projects
Integration of molecular and cellular phenotypes: Optimizing complementarity of RNA-Seq and High Content Microscopy for the CRISParray platform Ghent University
One reason for drug failure at clinical stage is the lack of data supporting the drug target. We established a target screening and characterization platform, CRISParray, for arrayed high-throughput target perturbation with CRISPR technology, followed by RNA-sequencing. Owing to our platform’s arrayed configuration, we are in a unique position to integrate additional readouts. Studies have demonstrated the complementary between high content ...
Expanding the genetic landscape of Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation using genomic techniques - RNA-Seq KU Leuven
Development of a laboratory toolbox to study human circular RNAs Ghent University
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of mainly non-coding RNA molecules and have been proposed as promising biomarkers based on their substantially longer half-live compared to other RNA types and their cell-type specific expression patterns. Unfortunately, current circRNA detection pipelines (using RNA-sequencing data) are prone to false positives. As these results propagate to circRNA databases, we are far from a gold standard ...
Cancer-specific circulating RNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy response monitoring. Ghent University
This project focuses on circulating RNAs in plasma. The aim is to evaluate to what extent changes in tumor- and tissue-derived long RNA signals correlate with disease state, response to treatment and relapse of cancer patients. This could identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy
response monitoring.
Mode-of-action and role of small non-coding RNAs in extracellular fluids of insects KU Leuven
Long noncoding RNAs in cancer: deciphering the functional role of the dark matter of the human cancer genome Ghent University
The human genome is pervasively transcribed and produces thousands of yet unexplored long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). With this project, we aim to uncover novel lncRNAs with therapeutic or biomarker potential in cancer. This is achieved through an elaborate discovery and validation workflow, supported by novel laboratory technologies and data analysis strategies that will be implemented during the course of this project.
Identification and functional analysis of extracellular RNAs in insects. KU Leuven
Epigenetic re-activation of T-ALL tumor suppressors under control of TLX1driven enhancer RNAs. Ghent University
In this project, I will further explore the oncogenic role of TLX1 in the development of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This research will explore a network connecting TLX1 with long noncoding RNAs and tumor suppressor genes. Ultimately, this should allow identification new vulnerable nodes for targeted therapy of TLX1-driven T-ALLs.
The role of long noncoding RNAs in human cognition Ghent University
The ratio of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to protein coding genes increases with
the complexity of the organism, raising the hypothesis that lncRNAs play an important
role in the evolution of the human organism. In this study, I will functionally annotate
lncRNAs associated with intellectual disability in order to identify novel genetic
networks involved in human cognition.