Projects
Study of fatty acid modification and metabolism on the activity of quorum sensing molecules and lipopeptides produced by Pseudomonas spp. Ghent University
Pseudomonads produce antimicrobial or cytotoxic cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) and quorum sensing signal molecules, i.e. N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as interesting secondary metabolites. The overall goal is a) the identification of the role of AHL-mediated quorum sensing mechanisms in regulating secondary metabolite production (CLPs) and b) the elucidtation of fatty acid-based biosynthetic pathways and SAR of CLPs.
The effect of rewiring fatty acid metabolism on the epigenetic landscape of metastasizing breast cancer cells. KU Leuven
This project will invesigate how pyruvate metabolically regulates CP4H metastatic growth. I will address this objectives by studying proline metabolism and its inhibition in 3D cultured breast cancer cells and in a metastatic breast cancer mouse model using metabolmics, imaging and molecular biology techniques.
Exploiting acquired vulnerabilities in fatty acid metabolism to overcome therapy resistance in castration resistant prostate cancer KU Leuven
Castration resistant prostate cancer (crPCA) remains refractory to
androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and is invariably lethal. Therefore,
strategies in extending therapy response or overcoming therapy
resistance are sorely needed. Based on solid evidence that androgen
signalling drives fatty acid synthesis, rendering membrane lipids more
saturated and contributing to therapy resistance, we propose to exploit ...
Fatty acid metabolism in control of the phenotype of foamy phagocytes in multiple sclerosis. Hasselt University
Fatty acid metabolism as a novel adaptive response to high intratumoral pressure/temperature and promising target for the treatment of solid tumors KU Leuven
We put forward the innovative and unconventional concept that changes in fatty acid elongation and desaturation (at least in part) function as an adaptive response to the high intratumoral pressure and temperature that is a hallmark of solid tumors. Here, based on a body of preliminary evidence we aim to consolidate this novel concept and to explore its potential as an exploitable and universal target for the treatment of solid tumors.
The role of fatty acid metabolism in angiogenesis. KU Leuven
Endothelial cells (ECs) line blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Abnormal blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) promotes cancer growth and spread. Current strategies to inhibit angiogenesis rely on the inhibition of the growth factor VEGF. However, the efficacy of this treatment is limited by intrinsic refractoriness and acquired drug resistance. Since ECs need increased amounts of energy and must maintain redox homeostasis ...