Projects
Fat primes the liver for hepatocellular carcinoma development by inducing a Warburg metabolism KU Leuven
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide, with an overall mortality rate of 93%. A major risk factor for HCC development is obesity with concomitant insulin resistance. Already today 30% of all HCC cases are related to obesity and insulin resistance. However, obesity and insulin resistance by their own are not sufficient to drive HCC development in mice. Surprisingly, the combination of ...
Targeting disturbed lipophagy promotes remyelination in multiple sclerosis Hasselt University
Targeting disturbed lipophagy promotes remyelination in multiple sclerosis Hasselt University
Peroxisomal b-oxidation is crucial for retinal integrity and functioning by controlling DHA and VLC-PUFA homeostatis KU Leuven
Patients with a peroxisomal dysfunction present with many eye pathologies, including retinal degeneration. An important function of peroxisomes is the β-oxidation of fatty acids, which includes the breakdown of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs), and synthesis of the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3). Interestingly, these lipids are highly abundant in the retina, highlighting the potential ...
Polymer-lipid amphiphile carriers for small molecule immune-modulators Ghent University
The aim of this Concept TT is to obtain a technical proof of concept that shows the potential of polymer-lipid amphiphiles as carrier for lymph node-targeted delivery of small molecule immuno-modulators. Ultimately, the research results will be used to support a patent application.
Peroxisomes and vision: what is the role of peroxisomal oxidation in the retina? KU Leuven
The crucial function of peroxisomes for vision is illustrated by the fact that prominent ophthalmological pathology, including retinopathy, occurs in nearly all peroxisomal diseases. Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles that play an essential role in oxygen and lipid metabolism, but their precise contribution to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis is still largely obscure. According to our preliminary data, the retina of mice with ...
The role of the paraoxonase gene family in obesity and obesity-associated liver disease following exposure to environmental pollutants or medical intervention strategies. University of Antwerp
Oral drug absorption in specific patient populations: understanding the impact of gastrointestinal physiology KU Leuven
Oral drug administration is the most commonly used route of drug administration. Oral drug absorption-related processes, including, solubility, dissolution, permeation and metabolism, are highly dependent on the gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Hence, the success of an oral drug formulation can be affected by an altered GI physiology. Several factors have been hypothesized to affect GI physiology, including age, GI diseases (e.g., ulcerative ...
NOVEL THERAPY FOR BRAIN METASTASIS KU Leuven
Despite research advances, cancer still remains a major life threat with increasing societal burdens. Previously, the theragnostic laboratory at KU Leuven has developed an ingenious small molecule dual targeting pan-anticancer theragnostic strategy called OncoCiDia, which combines tumor necrotizing effect by using a vascular disrupting agent such as Combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA4P) and targeted radiotherapy by using a necrosis-avid ...