Projects
SRP-Groeifinanciering: Innovative structures: Resource-efficient circular building systems for sustainable construction Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Synthesis of fused isothiazole derivatives as inhibitors of cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) and phosphoinositide kinase FYVE-type zinc finger (PIKfyve) KU Leuven
Previous research in our lab led to the discovery of 6-aryl-isothiazolo[4,3-b]pyridines as potent and selective inhibitors of either cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) or phosphoinositide kinase FYVE-type zinc finger (PIKfyve). Both kinases are promising drug targets for the development of broadspectrum antiviral agents. Using the current chemistry, 3,6-disubstituted isothiazolo[4,3-b]pyridines can easily be prepared. In this project proposal, ...
Designing airway-targeted prodrug strategies for anti-respiratory virus therapeutics KU Leuven
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised major interest in antiviral drugs with pan-coronavirus coverage and, even better, broad applicability against different respiratory viruses. The drugs favipiravir and molnupiravir are two inhibitors of viral polymerases with activity against coronavirus as well as influenza virus. This is also true for an experimental nucleoside analogue that was recently discovered in our laboratory. In this project, we will ...
Innovative routes for acetic acid-to-acrylic acid transformation KU Leuven
The thesis aims to establish an innovative and robust route for acetic acid transformation to acrylic acid by means of dimethoxymethane as formaldehyde source. This project involves the investigation of powerful catalysts to ensure high productivity, conversion, and selectivity towards acrylic acid, and the modeling and simulation of the system for conditions optimization and scale-up purposes. The heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase reaction ...
Electrified conversion of plastic waste into olefins & downstream integration Ghent University
The overall objective of ELECTRO is to demonstrate a revolutionary technology concept that links the waste and petrochemical industry and provides them with a sustainable, low GHG footprint and scalable circular solution for olefin and polyolefin production. The priority for ELECTRO is the plastic waste streams that are currently not recycled but rather either incinerated or dumped to landfill: examples are multilayer plastics, mixed ...
Adapting to climate-resilient farming systems in Western Kenya: the sustainable path by embedding agroecology in research, education and outreach(ADCLIM) KU Leuven
ADCLIM envisages the co-creation of agroecology-based strategies for climate change adaptation, using the UoE’s Outreach Centre as the entry point. Exploratory studies using modelling and data from long-term field experiments will identify promising technology options which will be refined, tested and validated in on-farm field trials. The long-term experiments were designed between 17 and 20 years ago, to explore the sustainability of ...
Targeting the NF-κB pathway with targeted protein degradation for the treatment of hematological malignancies. University of Antwerp
Numerical optimization of additively manufactured heat exchangers KU Leuven
Compact heat exchangers become more and more crucial to meet future demands for cost-effective and energy-efficient energy systems in a wide range of applications, including e.g. light-weight mobile systems and heat pumps with environmentally-friendly, yet often flammable or toxic, refrigerants. Aim of the project is to improve the overall energy efficiency and material use for such compact heat exchangers, using emerging methods and ...
Clinically-relevant 3D characterisation of synthetic mesh materials for abdominal wall hernia repair KU Leuven
Abdominal wall hernia repair mostly involves the implantation of a synthetic mesh material. However, the link between the mesh microstructure, mechanical behaviour and clinical outcome is still not fully understood, complicating the selection of a suitable patient-specific mesh. 3D-MESH aims to perform a detailed 3D microstructural and mechanical characterisation of meshes (pre- and post-implantation) and native tissue. This will not only ...