Projects
Molecular analysis of cell free circulating DNA (cfDNA) and/or circulating tumour cells (CTC) as 'liquid biopsy' for predictive biomarker assessment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). University of Antwerp
Supercoiled DNA and its interactions with proteins. KU Leuven
The central focus of this thesis is the study of DNA, a biological molecule of paramount significance. It stores all genetic information in a series of base pairs, the four-letter biological equivalent of the alphabet, and is involved in a plethora of functions within the cell. We are interested in its physical properties, and particularly in three distinct aspects: micromechanics, capture by nanopore and hybridization.
The first topic ...
FRET-type remote excitation tip-enhanced fluorescence microscopy for super-resolution DNA mapping KU Leuven
DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, is a nucleic acid with a double helical strand containing the genetic instructions for the development and function of all living organisms. Since 1953, when Watson and Crick first reported the molecular structure of DNA, extensive research has been put into decoding genetic information and understanding how it works. The most commonly used method is by DNA sequencing in which the DNA is first cut into small pieces ...
Synthetic diamond films as platform material for novel DNA sensors with electronic detection principles Hasselt University
cfRRBS: translation of technological advances in methylation profiling of circulating free DNA for minimally invasive classification and relapse detection of high-grade lymphoma Ghent University
Added value for patients. For the diagnosis of high-grade lymphoma, a tissue biopsy currently remains the gold standard, but
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (the most common types) often affect organs that are
difficult to reach. In addition, the differential diagnosis usually includes a wide range of malignant and non-malignant
conditions, which makes that patients would greatly benefit from ...
Personalized multimodal treatment for resectable esophageal cancer by detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA): KU Leuven
Esophageal cancer is the 7th leading cause of death from cancer in the world and accounts for half a million deaths each year. Squamous cell carcinoma rates remain stable, although adenocarcinoma rates are rising in the western world. For patients with cT1-2N0 disease primary surgery is chosen followed by observation. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery (multimodal treatment) remains the current standard of care in all patients ...
Impact of ccfDNA on clinical decision making in NEN patients KU Leuven
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) require regular assessment of tumor growth and treatment response. However, adequate, non-invasive tumor markers are currently lacking. Recently, we demonstrated that sequential genome-wide copy number alteration (CNA) profiling of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) could serve as novel, non-invasive biomarker in NEN patients. Expanding upon these findings, we will explore and benchmark a new analytical ...
Prenatal diagnosis via cervical cells KU Leuven
Prenatal genetic testing enables the detection of genetic disorders and allows parents to make an informed decision about the pregnancy. The golden standard is invasive prenatal testing of fetal or placental DNA based on amniocentesis or chorionic villous samples, respectively. Due to the associated risks, non-invasive prenatal testing is preferred. Over the last decade, non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) of cell-free fetal DNA obtained ...