Projects
Structural and functional studies of S-layers in pathogenic bacilli. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Co-infections, heterogeneity and behaviour: models and real rodents. University of Antwerp
Development of a robust expression system for stable soluble influenza neuraminidase Ghent University
Influenza, also called the flu, is an important infectious disease caused by influenza A and B viruses. Vaccines are available that can prevent or reduce influenza symptoms. However, these vaccines provide limited protection primarily due to mismatch between the vaccine components and circulating virus. Interestingly, it has been shown that experimental vaccines based on NA can provide protection in animal models of influenza. Further, ...
Customized phages and tailocins targeting Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli Ghent University
Both phages and tailocins (phage tail-like bacteriocins) are highly specific antibacterials that leave the microbiome unaffected. Their primary specificity determinant is their tail fiber that makes the initial contact with the pathogen. Whereas phages kill a cell through a lytic replication cycle ended by cell lysis, tailocins kill the cell by membrane depolarization. Both phages and tailocins share the potential for customization. In this ...
Engineering of chimeric bacteriophage-derived endolysins and selection of staphylolytic and streptolytic candidates for the treatment of Gram-positive mammary gland infections in cows. Ghent University
Mastitis, an infectious disease of the mammary gland in cows, is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis. These udder infections are difficult to cure due to 1. the intracellular persistence of pathogens, 2. the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains and 3. biofilm formation, three factors that lead to a low cure rate of intramammary antibiotics. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative ...
The capacity of lactoferrin to prevent diarrhoea and antibiotic use in postweaning pigs. Ghent University
Alarm bells are now ringing, as more and more multidrug resistant bacteria are emerging, several of which pose a major threat for animal and human health. To mitigate this problem, new and effective alternatives for antibiotics should be developed. Lactoferrin is a protein with antimicrobial, proteolytic and immune modulating activities and could be used to reduce antibiotic usage in food-producing animals, like pigs. Especially during the ...