Projects
Apoptosis associated lncRNAs in HIV-1 infection: new targets to selectively kill latent viral reservoirs. Ghent University
HIV-1 integration inside the cell results in formation of a latent reservoir. An interesting approach to eliminate the latent HIV-1 reservoir is the so-called shock-and-kill method. For the shock part, competent agents have been described but an efficient killing mechanism is lacking. We will selectively target long non-coding RNAs linked to apoptosis to obtain this efficient killing mechanism.
Viral infections: molecular insights, targets for intervention and drug development KU Leuven
A population genomic perspective on persistent viral infections. KU Leuven
Viral infections and their associated diseases represent an eminent and worldwide threat to public health. Although viral pathologies are well described, it remains an enormous challenge to intervene with epidemic spread and disease development in the host. A better understanding of the link between diseases, epidemic processes and pathogen evolution, both within and among hosts, is essential in the struggle against viral infections.
The ...
A population genomic perspective on persistent viral infections. KU Leuven
Sabbatical Ellen Decaestecker: The role of viral and multiple infections in hostmicrobiome coevolutionary adaptations. KU Leuven
The aim is to extend my research expertise from the microbiome and parasite research to multiple infections with a focus on viral infections and their role in co-evolutionary adaptations in order to prepare an ERCadv Grant. Until now, co-evolution has mainly been investigated in the context of simple, microbial infections, while it is clear that viruses can play an important role. One way of doing this is by integrating viral genomes that ...
The interaction between viral infections and the airway microbiome in young cystic fibrosis patients. University of Antwerp
Unraveling the susceptibility and pathogenesis of viral infections using zebrafish KU Leuven
Viral glycoprotein gB-dependent NFκB activation as a potential target for antivirals/vaccine design against alphaherpesvirus infections. Ghent University
Alphaherpesviruses include widespread and important pathogens of man and animal. For different human (e.g. herpes simplex virus) and veterinary (e.g. equine herpesvirus 1) alphaherpesviruses, there is an urgent need for (improved) vaccines and room for new antivirals. Herpesviruses have evolved a carefully balanced interaction with their host cell, including different interactions with the intracellular communication system, the so-called ...