Projects
Endoscopic profilometry for quantitative measurement of eardrum deformation as a new technique for objective diagnosis of ossicular fixation. University of Antwerp
Quantitative profiling in applied gut microbiome research Ghent University
The last ten years have witnessed a tsunami of research implicating an important role of the
gut microbiota in a wide range of diseases. At the same time, this research was all based upon
non-quantitative measures, allowing only the observation of relative microbiota shifts.
Preliminary evidence from the MiQuant consortium shows that strong inter-individual
variation in absolute microbial load exists in humans, with ...
Quantitative profiling in applied gut microbiome research KU Leuven
The last ten years have witnessed a tsunami of research implicating an important role of the gut microbiota in a wide range of diseases. At the same time, this research was all based upon non-quantitative measures, allowing only the observation of relative microbiota shifts. Preliminary evidence from the MiQuant consortium shows that strong inter-individual variation in absolute microbial load exists in humans, with important clinical ...
Diagnostic examinations of an autologous tumor-immune xenograft as a test platform for immunotherapeutic intervention with non-small cell lung cancer Ghent University
1. A systematic mapping of the dynamic interactions between growing tumors and the immune system, with a
dissection of molecular mechanisms leading to suppression/subversion of DCs and effector lymphocytes
particularly in lung cancer
2. Use this new knowledge to (i) manipulate DCs ex-vivo in order to create a vaccine resistant to the most
relevant in vivo suppressive signals, (ii) disrupt the immunosuppressive networks in ...
Biomechanical properties of lung to detect fibrosis in small animal models: a potential in vivo biomarker KU Leuven
Chronic progressive pulmonary fibrosis is a major life-threatening condition for which effective treatment is still lacking. The preclinical and clinical development of anti-fibrotic drugs is hampered by profound methodological challenges such as a lack of sensitive biomarkers for early detection of fibrosis/inflammation and non-invasively differentiating between inflammation and fibrosis. The ultimate goal of this PhD project is to use ex ...
Evolution of the photosynthetic capacity of Guzmania 'Hilda' (Bromeliaceae) from in vitro to in vivo growth conditions. KU Leuven
Tissue culture is a widely applied technology for the production of ornamental plants. During the in vitro phase, plants are exposed to lower light intensities and limited gas exchange, both associated with poor photosynthesis. For that reason, another carbon source is needed for adequate growth and development. Sucrose is generally supplied to culture media, stimulating heterotrophic behavior of the in vitro plants. As a ...
Antimicrobial resistance - Impact of cross contamination of animal feed with antimicrobial agents on resistance development Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
What is the effect of low doses of antibiotics in feed as a consequence of carry-over, on selection of resistant bacteria and transfer of resisance genes in the animal gut? This is the central research question of the Crosscontam project. By carry-over from medicated to non-medicated feed cross contamination of feed with antibiotics may occur. Since 2014, carry-over is mainly located in Belgium ...
Can high-resolution optical projection tomography of the interplay between cryptococci and macrophages unravel the enigmas in pulmonary and cerebral cryptococosis pathogenesis? KU Leuven
Scientific state-of-the-art & aims of this proposal:
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are encapsulated yeasts that can cause life-threatening disease in both immune-competent and immune-suppressed individuals (e.g. cancer therapy patients or patients with AIDS). Cryptococcosis affects the lung and may spread to the brain, manifesting itself by meningitis or pseudocystic brain lesions. It ...
Dynamic preservation and reconditioning to improve organ quality in lung transplantation: from basic science to clinical implementation KU Leuven
Lung transplantation (LTx) is the only treatment option for well-selected patients with end-stage pulmonary disease. However, the number of available donor organs is still inadequate leading to a reported mortality of 15-30% on the waiting list. Moreover, the success of LTx is not solely dependent on the number of available organs, but also on their quality, which has a significant impact on early and late outcome after LTx. During the last ...