Projects
Effect of modulation of the integrity of the intestinal barrier in irritable bowel syndrome: a translational approach. University of Antwerp
Catheter-based sensors for the intestinal detection of molecular biomarkers in the context of functional bowel disorders KU Leuven
Food-induced abdominal symptoms are extremely common and remain poorly understood. In a recent Belgian survey, 18% of the adults reported symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and half of them identified certain foods as triggers of their symptoms. Histamine and serotonin are two important signaling molecules in the gastrointestinal mucosa, thought to be involved in adverse reactions to food. However, it has been notoriously ...
High-resolution manometry evaluation of the role of colonic dysmotility in symptom generation and therapeutic outcomes in functional bowel disorders. KU Leuven
Colonic function is impaired in functional bowel disorders (FBDs), which are characterized by disordered bowel movements (diarrhoea, constipation), pain, discomfort of bloating. The most
important FBDs are functional constipation, chronic diarrhea and the irritable bowel syndrome. We hypothesize that contractions of the colon and their control are disturbed in FBDs, and that this explains their symptoms both in terms of disordered bowel ...
High-resolution manometry evaluation of the role of colonic dysmotility in symptom generation and therapeutic outcomes in functional bowel disorders. KU Leuven
Colonic function is impaired in functional bowel disorders (FBDs), which are characterized by disordered bowel movements (diarrhoea, constipation) and pain, discomfort and bloating. The most important FBDs are functional constipation, chronic diarrhea and the irritable bowel syndrome. We hypothesize that contractions of the colon and their control are disturbed in FBDs, and that this explains their symptoms both in terms of disordered bowel ...
Therapeutic modulation of the gastrointestinal permeability-inflammation-pain axis. University of Antwerp
The role of mucosal mediators and their effect on neuronal afferent signalling and intestinal permeability during postinflammatory visceral hypersensitivity: a translational study. University of Antwerp
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral and respiratory hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Identification of novel targets and pathways underlying visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Visceral hypersensitivity (VHS) leading to chronic abdominal pain is the main pathophysiological mechanism underlying irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the pathways involved in VHS remain poorly understood. In this project, I aim to decipher novel molecular mechanisms underlying VHS using a state-of-the-art technique, i.e. single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). I will use this technique to investigate and compare the transcriptome of ...
Gut−Brain Interactions in Visceral Pain and the Regulation of Food Intake KU Leuven
Neurohumoral gut−brain signals are part of an integrated interoceptive system which is continuously signaling homeostatic information to the brain; normally this remains largely unperceived. Dysfunctional gut−brain signaling has been implicated in both functional (i.e. unexplained) gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, characterized by visceral pain, and food intake disorders, such as obesity. Both groups of conditions are highly prevalent and ...