Projects
Specific nanobodies as a tool to study the role of gelsolin in tumor cell invasion, and to perturb its activity Ghent University
We investigate the role of gelsolin, an actin binding protein, by using small antibodies (nanobodies) raised in llamas. The nanobodies are characterized biochemically, biophysically, and biologically and used in living (cancer) cells to modulate their behavior.
Production and characterization of nanobodies towards TAFI KU Leuven
Curtailing gelsolin amyloid formation in a transgene mouse model by means of chaperone nanobodies Ghent University
Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF) is an autosomal dominant hereditary amyloid disease. In human
patients, amyloid deposits arc found in the skin, cornea, vascular walls, peritoneum and facial nerves. Clinical
features include peri feral neuropathies affecting the cranial nerves, corneal dystrophy, Clllis /cua, kidney and hean
failure. There is a minor CNS involvement (slight impairment of memory, ...
FWO-SB-Beurs: Nanobodies targeting mutant-EGFR as a unique tumor-restrictive vehicle for targeted therapy of glioblastoma Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Nanobodies in Health : Next generation Antibody fragments for Medical Applications Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Nanobodies to cross the blood-brain barrier. KU Leuven
Effective delivery of antibodies across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a serious limiting factor in the further development of antibody based therapies for AD but also for other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The BBB is composed of a tightly sealed monolayer of brain endothelial cells (BECs), which normally precludes free exchanges of solutes between blood and brain (and vice versa), including biologics, but yet enabling the ...
Development of nanobodies as a strategy to neutralize neurotoxins in envenomation by poisonous snakebites. KU Leuven
In this project we will develop nanobodies, which are miniaturized antibodies originating from lama’s. We will direct these nanobodies against alpha-neurotoxins, which are lethal components of the venom from Elapid snakes (e.g. cobra’s). These alpha-neurotoxins target the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, resulting in paralysis and death. To understand the molecular basis of nanobody-neurotoxin interaction we will employ X-ray ...
Generation of nanobodies against immunomodulating checkpoint receptors in glioblastoma tumor cells KU Leuven
Context - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive intrinsic brain tumor in adults. In spite of maximal therapy consisting of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, GBM remains largely incurable with a median overall survival of less than 15 months. Preclinical and early clinical research in immunotherapy for brain tumors has a track record of almost 20 years and indicated that an immune reaction against the tumor in the brain can be ...
Prospecting to the use of gelsolin nanobodies as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the monogenic disorder familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF). Ghent University
Gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel), formerly known as familial amyloidosis Finnish type (FAF), is a
debilitating, autosomal, dominantly heritable, incurable disease caused by a point mutation -
most commonly G654A/T - in the GSN gene. As a result, gelsolinU+2019s second domain loses part of
its intrinsic stability and can adopt an intermediate state during Ca2+ activation. This aberrant
conformation exposes an otherwise ...