Projects
Complex biological tissues and cell colonies: active material properties of multicellular structures KU Leuven
Complex biological tissues and cell colonies behave as active materials in which the constituents, individual cells, self-organize to create complex and dynamic biological systems. In order to engineer multicellular structures, for example in tissue engineering or in the treatment of bacterial biofilms, we can harness the active mechanical properties of these materials to help steer cell and tissue fate. However, active materials exhibit ...
New strategies for creating cell wall polymer based functional properties in fruits and vegetable based matrices. KU Leuven
The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the tumor associated antigene xvB5 in non-small cell lung cancer Ghent University
The purpose of the proposal encloses the development of recombinant, humanised anti-xvB5 antibody fragments adapated for radio-immunotherapy and radio-diagnosis in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The biotechnological engineering, the labelling with radio-isotopes and the in vitro and in vivo evaluation in an experimental animal model will be investigated in the research project.
Super resolution fluorescence microscopy of biomolecular interactions with photochromic biosensors and complementation. KU Leuven
Fluorescence microscopy techniques are indispensable research tools that have enabled live cell imaging with low invasiveness, high sensitivity, and high spatiotemporal resolution. As a result, fluorescence microscopy has revolutionized our understanding of the inner workings of single cells and whole organisms. An integral part of the imaging performance is the fluorescent labels, as the quality of the labels influences the quality of the ...
Design and development of a new vector platform for CXCR4-targeted molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy KU Leuven
The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a well-described G protein-coupled receptor (GCPR) that is involved in different physio-pathological processes upon binding of its endogenous ligand CXC chemokine 12 (CXCL12). CXCR4 is expressed throughout development and adulthood on a variety of cell types including lymphocytes, endothelial, epithelial and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). CXCR4 plays a fundamental physiological role in hematopoiesis, ...
BOF PhD: Label free imaging of nanoparticles for a study of their impact on biological processes in dendritic cells. Hasselt University
Synthesis and application of probes for serine and cysteine hydrolases and the polyamine transport system KU Leuven
Activity-based probes (ABPs) are small molecular tools that allow the detection and monitoring of enzyme activity by covalently binding onto the active site of the enzyme. They consist of a warhead that binds the enzyme, a recognition element that alters the selectivity of the probe and a detection tag that allows the visualization, quantification or purification of probe-labeled enzymes. ABPs are applied to elucidate enzyme function, enzyme ...
Vitamin D analogs in combination with palbociclib as treatment for triple-negative breast cancer – preclinical evaluation and pathway analysis KU Leuven
1,25(OH)2D3, the biological active form of vitamin D3, is an important regulator of calcium and phosphate homeostasis in the body. By binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and subsequent heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), this complex will migrate to the nucleus and bind to vitamin D responsive elements (VDREs) in regulatory regions of target genes to regulate gene transcription. Next to calcium and phosphate ...
Differential distribution and function of intrathymic and intrathymische regulatory T cells. KU Leuven
STATE OF THE ART
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are indispensable for the control of immune responses
against pathogens and the prevention of fatal autoimmunity. It is hypothesized that
the majority of Treg develop in the thymus by strong agonist recognition and the
acquisition of immunosuppressive features (intrathymic Treg, itTreg, also called
“natural Treg”). Under numerous experimental conditions Treg can also ...