Projects
A comprehensive model for protein aggregation and its application to the design of monoclonal antibodies and peptides for targeted aggregation KU Leuven
Investigation of the influence of prophages on the physiology and virulence of emerging invasive non-typhoid Salmonella Typhimurium (iNTS) KU Leuven
Bacteria are engaged in a never-ending struggle with their viral predators, termed bacteriophages or phages. This resulted in millennia of intimate co-evolution between bacteria and their viruses, thereby fueling the development of sophisticated infection dynamics. One of these peculiar interactions, is the formation of a phage carrier state by temperate phage P22 upon infection of its host, Salmonella Typhimurium. This phenomenon ...
Identification and comparison of prokaryote transcriptional networks. KU Leuven
Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Hasselt University
Implementation of breathomics in health and disease. University of Antwerp
Analysis and mining of signaling complexes using contemporary interactomics Ghent University
Protein interactions fulfil a critical role in a cell and their dysregulation contributes to human disease. We will apply an unique technology U+201CtoolboxU+201D comprising MAPPIT, PPI-iMixPro and VIROTRAP, combined with state-of-the-art bioinformatics approaches, to gain new insights into the (patho)fysiological roles of selected protein interactions. In addition, we will use nanobodies as intrabodies to disturb protein interactions in ...
Functional implication and prognostic significance of the WISP-2 matricellular protein in breast cancer-and trophoblast invasion Ghent University
Matricellular proteins such as the Wnt-induced secreted proteine, WISP-2 is implicated in carcinoma cell invasion (Fritah et al., 2008). The functional and prognostic role of WISP-2 in breast cancer is not known. We make use of cellular models to screen for fysiological inhibitors of WISP-2 mediated invasion with a focus on basal membrane components such as laminin and nidogen. Human breast tumor tissue will be analysed by Q-PCR and ...
In vitro model of alphaherpesvirus latency and reactivation Ghent University
A typical characteristic of alphaherpesviruses is their ability to establish lifelong dormant infection sin neurons of their host, so-called latency. Specific stress stimuli may lead to reactivation from latency, with rnewed spread within and between hosts and recurrent disease symptoms. Despite the pathogenic importance of alphaherpesvirus latency and reactivation, relatively little is known about the underlying mechanisms, partly because of ...
The Ecdysonreceptor, keyrole in the metamorphosis of insects and unique target in the integrated battle against important and resistent plague insects Ghent University
The ecdysonreceptor is studied from a multi-disciplininary research effort (molecular - cellular - fysiological) in the unique developmental process of metamorphosis in insects.The purpose is to gain insight in the presence and diversity of Ecr in different insect species en regulating factors. Through this molecular basis we attempt to better understand the unique character of metamorphosis in insects. The ability to intervene on a new and ...