Projects
MucorVax – Development of a first-in-class fungal vaccine candidate KU Leuven
Mathematical and Experimental Immunology. University of Antwerp
Capacity strengthening for development of pore-forming proteins obtained from a Cuban natural source as Immunogenic Cell Death Inducers for cancer immunotherapy Ghent University
Cancer is among the leading causes of death in Cuba. The pore-forming proteins (PFPs), purified from the Caribbean Sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus have the ability to form pores in the cell membrane eventually leading to cell death. PFPs induce the expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) biomarkers in several model tumour cell lines prompting their study as potential tools for novel therapeutic strategies against cancer. ICD is a ...
Modelling within-host immune responses with applications to the Ebola vaccine. University of Antwerp
TARgeted Mrna re-engineering for enhanced Antibody and Cellular immunity (TARMAC) Ghent University
The main objective of this project is to secure a strategic patent position covering the introduction of specifically re-engineered sequences in an mRNA-based vaccine to unlock the full spectrum of cellular immune responses. As incentive of this development is the growing recognition of T-helper lymphocyte (CD4) as critical in effective anti-cancer immunity, together with the challenge in triggering CD4 T-cell responses in the context of ...
Aminopeptidase N-driven activation of the small intestinal epithelium as a cornerstone of gut immunity Ghent University
Protection against most gut pathogens requires intestinal secretory IgA responses. Key in this response is the proper uptake of antigens by the intestinal epithelium, which has evolved to restrict the uptake of macromolecules as well as regulate gut immunity. Here, we aim to explore whether signalling through aminopeptidase N (APN) present on small intestinal enterocytes activates these cells to release mediators which can promote secretory ...
Unique IsoPlexis technology for multiplexed single cell functional profiling KU Leuven
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine R&D decisions on the downstream Covid-19 Immunization System - Improving Strategic and Operational Preparedness for Future Virus Crisis Outbreak KU Leuven
Huge R&D efforts are still ongoing with the ultimate aim to provide the world with a vaccine in the coming year(s) against the Covid-19 virus. To achieve the ultimate goal of providing equitable access, and reaching the desired health outcomes of preventing new infections, deep insights in the impact of decisions made in the R&D stage of the novel vaccine on the vaccine supply chain and broader immunization system are needed. We ...