Projects
The role of intestinal microbiota in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases: identification of potentially beneficial and harmful micorbiota through ex vivo organoid technology. KU Leuven
The exact pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) remains incompletely understood, but a loss of tolerance to gut microbiota seems crucial. Interactions between host and microbiota take place at the intestinal surface which consists of intestinal stem cells (ISC), enterocytes, goblet, enteroendocrine, and Paneth cells. The differentiation of ISC into progeny cells is suggested to be disturbed in CD and UC. The impact ...
Protein turnover at synapses via autophagy: implications for Parkinson's disease KU Leuven
Research on the human gut microbiota has bloomed in the past 2 decades as evidence of its impact on human health is accumulating. While surveys of the gut microbiota of Western/industrialized populations have generated thousands of publications, populations in developing countries have received considerably less attention. Yet, the tens of publications exploring the microbiome of these less represented populations have given a first idea of ...
Single-Cell Analysis and Metabolic Modelling of Pairwise Interactions in the Gut Microbiome KU Leuven
The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that houses a diverse array of microorganisms, including eukaryotic cells, bacteria and viruses, and plays a crucial role in human health. Its functions include breaking down dietary fibres, producing vitamins, and protecting against pathogens. However, deciphering the role of the gut microbiota in disease remains challenging due to its size, diversity, and complexity, as well as its variability ...
IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION OF PROBIOTICS FOR ORAL BIOFILM MANAGEMENT KU Leuven
The oral cavity is an important entry point for foreign, potentially contaminated substances, resulting in the introduction of numerous microorganisms and nutrients. Despite this, the oral cavity has a microbiome that is naturally present, is quite resistant to outsiders, and even prevents pathogenesis.
Unfortunately, this health-related microbiome can be disrupted by a variety of factors, shifting the symbiotic equilibrium towards a ...
The human gut virome in health and disease. KU Leuven
This research program will use a recently optimized in-house procedure to investigate the viral part of the microbiome, the virome, in a semi-quantitative way in different biological samples using next generation sequencing technology. Within the research program are several projects, in which the following will be investigated: 1) the colonization dynamics of viruses in the gut of young children during the first year of life, and how this is ...
Control strategies against Drosophila suzukii Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
This project aims to develop a smart control strategy against a new very harmful pest: Drosophila suzukii or the Asian fruit fly. This insect of Asian origin has entered our country and, since its first observation in 2011, it has been invasively and rapidly spreading across Belgium and is now established in most of its fruit regions. In order to develop a successful control strategy towards the ...
Modulation of human psychobiology by gut bacterial metabolites: The role of short-chain fatty acids. KU Leuven
Targeting NLRP3-mediated inflammation with novel chemotypes Ghent University
Inflammasomes play a vital role in in protecting humans against pathogenic microorganisms, harmful substances and cell changes that could result in illness. The NLRP3 inflammasome in particular attracts considerable interest because aberrant NLRP3 activation is a key pathogenic mechanism in many chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, gain-of-function mutations in NLRP3 causes a periodic fever syndrome named cryopyrin-associated periodic ...
Modulation of resident macrophages by enteric neurons in the muscularis externa KU Leuven
The gastrointestinal tract represents the largest interface between the environment and the organism. It is essential for digestion and absorption of nutrients, however at the same time acting as a barrier against potentially noxious ingested elements and infectious agents. Activation of a potent and specific immune response against pathogens counteracts and prevent invasion of harmful microorganisms. However, a tight control of this ...