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Project
SRP-Onderzoekszwaartepunt: ITAREG: Molecular Imaging and TArgeting of immunoREGulatory cells in Inflammatory diseases and cancer (SRP83)
The Strategic Research Programme ‘Molecular Imaging and TArgeting of immunoREGulatory cells in inflammatory diseases and cancer’ (ITAREG) consists of two research groups: a group headed by Prof Dr Tony Lahoutte and Prof Dr Nick Devoogdt at the ‘Medical Imaging/In vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging’ (MIMA/ICMI) unit (Faculty of Medicine), and the group headed by Prof Dr Jo Van Ginderachter at the ‘Cellular and Molecular Immunology’ (CMIM) unit (Faculty of Sciences and Bio- engineering Sciences). With this combined expertise, we aim to:
(1) Study the fundamental roles of distinct populations of cells that regulate the body’s immune response during inflammatory disease and cancer. As a consequence, we aim to identify target molecules on these cells that could be useful as anchor points for future therapies.
(2) Generate small antibody fragments called nanobodies as probes to track these cell subpopulations in the living body. We hypothesize that whole body medical imaging of these populations of immunoregulatory and effector cells in inflammation will be clinically relevant for diagnosing disease and predicting outcome of innovative treatments. Moreover, targeting of immunoregulatory subpopulations will also be of direct therapeutic benefit.
(3) Perform clinical trials to assess the use of these nanobody probes in patients.
(1) Study the fundamental roles of distinct populations of cells that regulate the body’s immune response during inflammatory disease and cancer. As a consequence, we aim to identify target molecules on these cells that could be useful as anchor points for future therapies.
(2) Generate small antibody fragments called nanobodies as probes to track these cell subpopulations in the living body. We hypothesize that whole body medical imaging of these populations of immunoregulatory and effector cells in inflammation will be clinically relevant for diagnosing disease and predicting outcome of innovative treatments. Moreover, targeting of immunoregulatory subpopulations will also be of direct therapeutic benefit.
(3) Perform clinical trials to assess the use of these nanobody probes in patients.
Date:1 Nov 2022 → Today
Keywords:Inflammatory diseases
Disciplines:Medical biochemistry and metabolism not elsewhere classified