Projects
Structural biology of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Identification of novel surface-expressed factors mediating virulence and biofilm formation in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. University of Antwerp
Virulence factors of Bacillus cereus and host-pathogen interactions Ghent University
Bacillus cereus is one of the key toxigenic foodborne pathogens of concern to modern food industry,
especially for a group of refrigerated foods of extended durability and dry foods. This species
comprises a highly versatile, psychrotrophic and mesophilic, and incredibly armored group of
opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, which directly in the food or once ingested by the human host
may secrete a wide array of harmful ...
Helicobacter suis virulence factors associated with cytotoxicity, inhibition of T-cell proliferation and gastric pathology Ghent University
The role of H. suis gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in gastric epithelial cell death, inhibition of T-cell proliferation and induction of gastric pathology will be studied. Other virulence mechanisms involved in death of host cells will also be identified.
The role of bacterial biofilms as a major cause of therapeutic failure in intensive care units (ICU): an in vitro and in vivo study of 'biofilm' virulence factors. University of Antwerp
Role of bacterial biofilms as a cause of therapeutic failure in intensive care units: in vitro and in vivo study of 'biofilms' virulence factors. University of Antwerp
Virulence factors of Aspergillus fumigatus involved in interactions with avian macrophages Ghent University
ASpergillosis is one of the most common infectious diseases that causes dead in birds. In this studies the interactions between Aspergillus fumigatus and avian macrophages will bes tudied an the genes involved will be identified. In a final study the role of these virulence genes in vivo will be assessed.
Study of endocytosis, transcytosis and nuclear location of porcine lactoferrin in enteroids and design of smart lactoferrin by nanobody mediated targeting of lactoferrin to intestinal Chlamydia suis and its virulence factors Ghent University
Chlamydia suis is a gram negative obligate intracellular bacterium. C. suis is an emerging pig pathogen causing significant economic losses in the pork industry. The focus of our proposal is on prevention of intestinal C. suis in swine as: i) the gut functions as a C. suis reservoir, ii) C. suis and especially tetracycline resistant C. suis, causes economic loss and preventive strategies are currently unavailable and iii) C. suis is a ...
A combined structure-activity and biophysical investigation of the cyclic lipopeptide tolaasin, the virulence factor causing brown blotch disease Ghent University
Tolaasin, an 18 residue cyclic lipopeptide, is the main virulence factor of Pseudomonas tolaasii, and causes brown blotch disease in edible mushrooms. In addition to this antifungal activity, this secondary metabolite also display activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. This wide targeting of cells is attributed to its membrane-lytic properties. While experimental data supports ...