Projects
Microbes-4-Immunity: single-cell based sorting and investigation of the functional microbiome in intestinal and extra-intestinal immune homeostasis. Ghent University
The high incidence of chronic inflammatory and auto-immune disorders in a Western lifestyle is associated with the microbiome. It’s however extremely difficult to identify the functional microbiota, modulating immunodevelopment and -homeostasis. This project will generate new insights in microbehost interactions using a unique combination of flowcytometric cellsorting, access to clinical samples and an in vitro and in vivo technology ...
Interplay between exercise training, performance, muscle, and the gut microbiome KU Leuven
A new player in respiratory tract infections: exploring the antivirulence and anti-inflammatory properties of the lung microbiome Ghent University
Until a few years ago, the lungs of healthy individuals were considered to be sterile. Recently, it has become clear that a broad collection of microorganisms is present (termed the lung microbiome) and that changes in the lung microbiome are associated with various respiratory infections, including in patients with cystic fibrosis and pneumonia. However, it is currently unclear whether these microorganisms influence the infection process of ...
The interaction between viral infections and the airway microbiome in young cystic fibrosis patients. University of Antwerp
Development of a microbiome product to protect against E. coli associated post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs Ghent University
This project aims at developing a multibiotic that can protect piglets from the development of E.coli associated post-weaning diarrhoea. In particular, we focus on characterizing the piglet microbiota in healthy individuals in order to isolate specific microbiota members with probiotic potential. Candidate bacteria are tested in vitro and in vivo for their activity against the disease.
Microbiome analysis of the upper respiratory tract: identification of beneficial microbes with probiotic potential. University of Antwerp
Exploring the seminal microbiome in dogs will deliver seminal knowledge on semen quality and dog fertility Ghent University
In the last decades, a loss of genetic variability has been observed in the dog population, resulting in a high number of genetic diseases. Increasing the number of reproducers, frozen or chilled storage of spermatozoa and international exchange of semen could be a possible solution. To reach these goals, a canine semen bank was set up by our team. However, a problem of increasing importance is that not all dogs are fit for semen ...
The vaginal microbiome in relation to perinatal health Ghent University
A healthy vaginal microbiome is characterized by the presence of only lactobacilli that acidify the vagina and protect against infections such as HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV, the virus causing cervical cancer). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disturbance of this healthy vaginal microbiome whereby lactobacilli are absent and anaerobes such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae predominate. BV is prevalent in about one quarter of ...
Influence of arsenic exposure on the interplay between the gut microbiome and host Ghent University
Microbe-host cross-talk is an important determinant of human health with maintenance of gut
epithelial barrier function being a crucial process in this intricate relationship. Compromising the gut barrier has been associated with an increased risk for development of chronic inflammation, allergy, diabetes or metabolic disease. While the gut barrier controls (micro-)nutrient absorption, it also fends off antigens or xenobiotics. One of ...