Projects
Short-wave infrared widely tunable VCSELs on a III-V/silicon platform for sensors Ghent University
To be able to make cheap, small spectroscopes, we want to integrate the complete system on a silicon optical chip. The first requirement for this is an integrated light source that can scan the desired wavelength range. To achieve this, we are focusing on the hybrid III-V / Si platform, which can already present good results from integrated light sources.
Leaky vessels in the brain – unraveling disturbed mechanotransduction in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations KU Leuven
Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM) are stacks of malformed
blood vessels in the brain. One in every 200 persons worldwide can
carry them and half are symptomatic (headaches, seizures, paralysis,
hearing/vision deficiencies, cognitive impairment). There is no
treatment yet and surgical resection is the only possible cure. An
interesting but still under studied aspect of the disease is its
connection with cell ...
Does Time Heal All Wounds? Predicting acute and long-term damage in blood vessels KU Leuven
The most important medical principle is to do no harm. Unfortunately, a frequent side effect of surgical intervention is mechanical overloading of the affected or surrounding tissue. This can lead to acute damage and, if not immediately problematic, trigger longer term remodeling that will necessitate re-intervention. In an effort to minimize the number of complications following vascular surgery, research is being directed towards ...
Lymphatic vessels in the asthmatic lung - Unexplored roads to the lymph node Ghent University
The nature and heterogeneity of lymphatic endothelial cells in lung tissue are largely unknown and
the contribution of lymphatic vessels to chronic respiratory diseases has not been widely studied.
Bronchial asthma is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways which is
increasingly observed in developed countries and which is characterized by airflow obstruction.
Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, ...
Glycogen: secret sugar reserves for sprouting vessels? KU Leuven
A fundamentally important function of endothelial cells (ECs) is to vascularize hypoxic, nutrientdeprived tissue in a process called angiogenesis. Endothelial cells are glucose-addicted and rely on glycolysis for ATP production to migrate and proliferate. It is currently unknown how ECs rewire their metabolism to sustain glycolysis when they sprout into avascular glucose-depleted tissue such as tumors. Understanding the metabolic rewiring in ...
The role of sclerostin in vascular calcification and the calcification paradox: necassary research for development of safe therapies to treat mineralization defects in bone and vessels. University of Antwerp
Unraveling niche signals from blood vessels to neural stem cells in vivo. KU Leuven
Here, I propose to study the functional role of blood vessels in the neurogenic niche of the developing cortex by vessel-specific inhibition of their ingrowth into these compartments during development. I will analyze changes in expansion and differentiation as well as lineage commitment of neural stem cells in their niche after this intervention and identify the cellular mechanisms using a complementary, multidisciplinary approach comprising ...
Unraveling the functional role of blood vessels as components of the neural stem cell niche. KU Leuven
Identity and Interaction in the Neolithic Island Aegean. The Production, circulation and Consumption of Ceramic Vessels on Chios. KU Leuven
Currently understanding of the Neolithic period (c.7000-3100/3000 BC) in the Aegean islands lags behind that of neighbouring regions, principally because the islands lack datasets of the necessary quality and range to allow secure insights into social reproduction and interaction.
This project will address this lacuna by pursuing a fully integrated and contextual characterisation of pottery from the excavated sites of Ayio Gala and ...