Projects
Validation of Research on Nano-electronic Integrated Circuits - VeRONICa Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Dissecting the role of chromosomal instability during different stages of cancer evolution KU Leuven
My PhD project aims at clarifying the role of chromosomal instability (CIN) at different stages of breast cancer evolution. To study CIN in a defined and controlled manner I will make use of novel tools that grant control over several parameters: intensity, time and tissue. More specifically, I will employ the recently developed Cre-inducible Mps1 knock-in (CiMKi) mice (Hoevenaar et al.), an allelic series which grants control over CIN in ...
Microscopic Investigation of Photocatalytic Materials at the Nanoscale. KU Leuven
Recently, nanotechnology has taken an important place in materials science. Not only have traditional materials been miniaturized, nanostructured materials also possess remarkable and unique properties compared to their larger counterparts. As such it has become very important to characterize nanostructured materials at relevant length scales and under realistic conditions. By developing a unique new integrated microscopy platform based on ...
Profiling of protein depalmitoylation during adipogenesis using activity-based probes KU Leuven
Modulation of adipogenesis is one of the most promising targets in the search for therapies against obesity. Given the large lipid pool present in adipocytes, it is likely that protein (de)palmitoylation plays a role during their differentiation. However, this post-translational modification is understudied in this process. In an in vitro model of adipogenesis, I therefore aim to (1) identify the substrates that are (de)palmitoylated, (2) ...
An in depth localisation study of silver nanoparticles in pluripotent stem cells and developing tissues of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, an invertebrate model system for toxicological studies. Hasselt University
FWO-SB-Beurs: The development of a single-cell mechano-biology platform to study cell-cell communication between bone cells Vrije Universiteit Brussel
ESRF and DUBBLE: Synchrotron X-rays for revealing the structure and function of molecules and materials. University of Antwerp
Quantum dot nanoparticles for live cell imaging and intracellular targeting. Ghent University
This project is aimed at enabling fluorescent labeling of organelles in living cells by quantum dots. At the one hand, silica encapped quantum dots will be targeted to the cytosol by making use of a membrane-disruptive liposomal carrier. At the other hand, a new concept will be tested using thermoresponsive nanoparticles to enable endosomal escape to the cytosol.
Studying biomolecular corona-dependency of (sub)cellular interactions using patient-derived tumor models to guide ev-based therapeutic development. Ghent University
Extracellular vesicles (EV) are complex nanoparticles required for the intercellular transfer of diverse biological cargoes. Exploitation of EV as advanced drug delivery systems has sparked general interest both in academia and industry for the treatment of a multitude of diseases including cancer. However, the clinical application of EV-based therapeutics is hampered by the lack of knowledge on their (sub)cellular interactions and the ...