Projects
The role of ZEB transcription factors in epigenetic chromatin remodeling and gene expression regulation during EMT Ghent University
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process leading to a reversible switch from a polarized epithelial phenotype to a motile and mesenchymal phenotype. EMT is an essential process in embryonic development and in adult life in several physiological (e.g. wound healing) and pathological processes (e.g. fibrosis, cancer progression). In our research group we are focusing on the Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) family ...
Genetic defects in chromatin regulators in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia Ghent University
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive malignancy of thymocy1es affecting children, adolescents and adults. T-ALL is characterized by an unequal gender distribution (male-female ratio of about 3:1). In a search for X-linked tumor suppressor genes, we previously discovered loss-of-function mutations and
deletions affecting the PHF6 gene on chromosome X in T-ALL (1). In this project, we used a candidate gene ...
The study of chromatic adaptation in complex viewing conditions KU Leuven
The human visual system has the ability to adapt to the color and intensity of the illumination to ensure object colors remain fairly stable under changing lighting conditions. Although several models, called chromatic adaptation transforms (CAT), exist that attempt to predict the color shift caused by a change in illumination conditions, the models are typically only applicable to simple visual fields - a flat uniform central stimulus ...
Chromatic adaptation and corresponding colors: an extensive and systematic study. KU Leuven
The Chromatic Illusion within the Photographic Universe AP Hogeschool Antwerpen
Human biomonitoring of chemical exposure in the workplace: method development and application to chromates study. KU Leuven
The most used biomarker for the biomonitoring of Cr(VI) exposure is the total amount of Cr in urine. This biomarker is not specific for Cr(VI), since it measures exposure both to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] and Cr(VI). Therefore, it is important to test the correlation between Cr(VI) exposure and more specific biomarkers in different work tasks. Even if the total amount of Cr in urine will remain the gold standard for the routine ...
Validation of new cofactors of HIV integration as targets for antiviral therapy. KU Leuven
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Since the discovery of HIV in 1981 more than 30 million people have died of AIDS. An estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV worldwide and approximate 2.1 million people were newly infected in 2015.
Current therapy is a combination of anti-viral drugs targeting different steps of the virus’ lifecycle; entry into the target ...
Machine Learning for Single-Molecule and Single-cell Multiomics to Bridge Genotype and Phenotype. KU Leuven
Cells accumulate mutations throughout their lifetime. While most of these mutations are innocent passengers, some can affect cell phenotypes. So-called driver mutations provide a relative fitness advantage for their host cell, underpinning the clonal expansions that may ultimately fuel oncogenesis. While next-generation sequencing and single-cell approaches have revolutionized our understanding of somatic mutational processes and tissue ...
PEAR1 (epi)genetic profiling in population studies to unravel its potential role in platelet and endothelial cell function variability KU Leuven
Platelets are small circulating cells that play a crucial role in arresting bleeding after vascular trauma. One of the proteins that contributes to this process is the Platelet Endothelial Aggregation Receptor-1 (PEAR1) which stabilizes platelet aggregation. PEAR1 is also present in cells that are precursors of platelets and in cells, present in the blood stream. In the last years PEAR1 has been found to be a potential player in ...