Projects
Exosomes: nanomaps for metastatic niche formation Ghent University
Cancer cells secrete soluble factors and chemokines that recruit bone marrow derived cells (BMDC) toward sites of future metastasis formation. Recently, not only soluble factors but also small vesicles (exosomes, 30-100 nm) were described, which contain mRNAs, miRNAs and polypeptides from their cell of origin. These exosomes from the cancer cells are instrumental for BMDCs to prepare the premetastatic niche.
Exosome biogenesis and the actin cytoskeleton: an exploratory study using bona fide Camelidae nanobodies Ghent University
Exosomes are small vesicles released by various types of cells and they influence the behavior of a target cell. Unfortunately, the biogenesis, release and uptake of exosomes is poorly understood. Literature and preliminary data show that the actin cytoskeleton is involved in these processes. Using nanobody and shRNA technologies, we will study the contribution of the cytoskeleton in exosome biogenesis.
Identification of individual exosome like vesicles by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy Ghent University
In this project, we want to be able to pre-clinically validate identification of individual extracellular vesicles (EVs) using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to be used for non-invasive cancer diagnostics in urine and plasma. In addition to optimizing the gold nanocoating around EVs, we also want to initiate the automation of Raman spectrum recordings for application to patient samples and the aim is to find industrial partners ...
The Flemish exposome project: towards a comprehensive understanding of the life-course impact of dietary and environmental exposure on chronic low-grade gut inflammation (FLEXiGUT) Ghent University
The human exposome covers the totality of non-genetic exposures from conception throughout the life course. The Flemish exposome project, FLEXiGUT, combines the unique and complementary expertise in Flanders on dietary- and environment-related human biomarkers and biomonitoring, metabolomics, microbiome research and epidemiology to investigate the complex human exposome. This first large-scale Flemish Exposome study, will make use of ...
The Flemish exposome project: towards a comprehensive understanding of the life-course impact of dietary and environmental exposure on chronic low-grade gut inflammation (FLEXiGUT). University of Antwerp
The Flemish exposome project: towards a comprehensive understanding of the life-course impact of dietary and environmental exposure on chronic low-grade gut inflammation Acronym = FLEXiGUT Hasselt University
The Flemish exposome project: towards a comprehensive understanding of the life-course impact ofdietary and environmental exposure on chronic low-grade gut inflammationAcronym = FLEXiGUT. KU Leuven
From exposome to effect assessment of contaminants in human and animal models (EXPOSOME). University of Antwerp
Exosome-inspired nanocarriers for the delivery of small interfering RNA Ghent University
Drug delivery across intra-and extracellular barriers remains a major bottleneck in the clinical application of siRNA. To overcome these hurdles, siRNAs need to be packaged in nanosized drug carriers. An exciting new research area involves using cell-derived microvesicles (e.g. exosomes) as delivery tool for macromolecular therapeutics. The major objective is to evaluate exosomes and exosome-mimetic nanoparticles for siRNA delivery