Projects
Preclinical investigation of immunotherapy and VEGF-targeted therapy in combination with voluntary exercise as novel treatment strategy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. University of Antwerp
The neurovascular link: an unexpectedly important role of metabolism. KU Leuven
This Methusalem project will focus on unraveling the molecular and cellular basis of the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) in health and disease, and in particular the role of vascular metabolism and vascular heterogeneity herein, with the ultimate goal to identify novel therapeutic pro- or anti-angiogenic strategies.
Current anti-angiogenesis therapies (AATs), by targeting the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF, suffer resistance and ...
The neurovascular link: an unexpectedly important role of metabolism. KU Leuven
Single-cell profiling of tumor micro-environment dynamics during checkpoint immunotherapy. KU Leuven
The Laboratory for Translational Genetics (headed by Diether Lambrechts) aspires to tackle important questions in oncology by translating genome-scale data sets into clinically applicable knowledge. Our major focus is to characterize how the tumor micro-environment (TME) determines tumor behavior and response to anti-angiogenic and checkpoint immunotherapies, which are both frequently used in the clinic (alone or in combination). ...
Preclinical investigation of immunotherapy in combination with VEGF-targeted therapy as novel treatment strategy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. University of Antwerp
Molecular imaging for early response assessment of drugs targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway in an HER-2 amplified breast cancer model. University of Antwerp
Stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques via inhibition of intraplaque neovascularization. University of Antwerp
Boosting beta-cell function for treatment of type 1 diabetes KU Leuven
In type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients the pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells are selective destroyed by the immune system, leading to an impaired glucose metabolism. The steep increase in the incidence of this chronic autoimmune pathology especially in young children in the last decades raises serious concerns. To date, insulin therapy is considered the gold standard for the treatment of T1D. Nevertheless, limitations persist, such as the ...
Differential BMP signaling in endothelial cell 'fate' decision making processes KU Leuven
Endothelial cells (EC) cover the inner lining of the blood vessel system. The ECs show important morphological, functional and molecular differences (heterogeneity) among arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels; among capillaries of different organs or between tip, stalk and phalanx cells. This heterogeneity can contribute to vessel-type restricted disorders and may explain the side effects and limited success of broad-spectrum ...