Projects
Characterization of Chikungunya virus-host protein complexes involved in viral attachment and entry Institute of Tropical Medicine
Entry process of porcine arterivirus in macrophages and link with virulence/pathogenicity Ghent University
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a devastating disease in
pigs, characterized by reproductive and respiratory problems. It is caused by an
arterivirus with a specific tropism for macrophages. Recently, more virulent strains
emerged in Europe and Asia causing high mortalities. Vaccines are losing their
efficacy and in order to find an answer to this problem, better insights in virus entry
and ...
Entry process of porcine arterivirus in macrophages and link with virulence/pathogenicity Ghent University
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a devastating disease in pigs, characterized by reproductive and respiratory problems. It is caused by an arterivirus with a specific tropism for macrophages. Recently, more virulent strains emerged in Europe and Asia causing high mortalities. Vaccines are losing their efficacy and in order to find an answer to this problem, better insights in virus entry and immune response are ...
Exploration of the role of HIV envelope glycans on virus entry and the antiviral activity of carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) KU Leuven
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and, although extensive research has resulted in the development of over 25 anti-HIV drugs, the pandemic continues to be a major public health threat worldwide. Annually, about 2.1 million people get newly infected with the virus and approximately 1.5 million people are subject of an AIDS-related death. These facts clearly ...
Entry inhibitors for human respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2. KU Leuven
Despite the clear success of the administered COVID-19 vaccines, we still cannot control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as evidenced by the current circulation of the highly contagious Omicron variant. This highlights the need to continue with the development of effective broad-spectrum antivirals that can be used to rapidly diminish viral spread when an epidemic with a (re-)emerging virus occurs. Candidate SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors should show broad ...
Study of cellular receptors involved in the entry of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) KU Leuven
Our research unit focusses on the study of new entry inhibitors for human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). In our current research project we aim on (i) the characterization of specific cellulair receptors for RSV entry in lung epithelial cells, and (ii) the maturation and processing of viral envelop proteins during viral entry.
Viral infections: molecular insights, targets for intervention and drug development KU Leuven
Developing an in vivo humanized mouse model suitable for the study of hepatotropic viral infection KU Leuven
The pharmaceutical industry is in high need of efficient and physiologically relevant in vitro and in vivo models to study hepatotropic viruses, screen for potential antiviral drugs and test for liver toxicity that might be caused by these and other drugs. Current in vitro models rely on primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) and hepatoma cell lines, which have major drawbacks. As an alternative hepatocyte source, the use of human pluripotent stem ...
Third generation sequencing and herpesvirus diversity: Towards complete double-stranded DNA virus genomes KU Leuven
Viral variability can be understood as genetic differences between nucleotide sequences. It can be used to define viral taxonomic units (species, genera, class, or family), viral subgroups, strains or life-cycle stages (lytic and latent phases). Viral diversity has been extensively studied, mostly through second-generation sequencing techniques, such as IonTorrent or Illumina sequencing. In the last years, third-generation technologies, such ...