Projects
A novel CRISPR/Cas9-based nanomedicine strategy targeting CD4+ cells to cure HIV Ghent University
In this proposal, we aim to design lipid nanoparticles coated with anti-CD4 nanobodies that encode CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins targeting both ends of the HIV genome and the viral coreceptor CCR5. As such, our novel nanomedicine will selectively purge HIV reservoirs in CD4+ cells, while conferring healthy CD4+ cells resistant to HIV reinfection, and off-target effects in non-target cells will remain minimal.
A targeted nanomedicine strategy for in vivo CD8+ T cell engineering Ghent University
The goal of this project is to investigate a strategy to target CD8+ T cells in vivo for subsequent cellspecific
delivery of nanoparticle-formulated therapeutics. Via this technology, we aim to modulate T cells in vivo in the blood and in the tumor microenvironment.
Evaluating the potential of nanomaterials for IP administration of chemotherapeutics and nucleic acids / Nanomedicine: an integrative approach Ghent University
Using a step by step approach, we aim to compare injection and nebulization of chemotherapeutics and nanoparticles , by using an in-house developed model to test PIPAC in rats at clinically relevant conditions. In the first 3 years of the project, we focused on developing the nanoparticle formulation of cisplatin and the effect of nebulization on the stability of nucleic-acid containing nanoparticles. In the last year of the project, we will ...
NANOMED / Colloidally stable nanogel formulations for siRNA delivery Ghent University
Nanomedicine (NM) is regarded as one of the most promising applications of nanotechnology, as it would allow the development of tailored therapies, with a high level of selectivity and efficacy. Although much research has been performed over the past decades, translation from academia to commercial application remains disappointingly low. Reasons that explain the current moderate success of NM are: (1) promising preclinical results are often ...
Development of Stimuli-Responsive Nanoparticle-carrying T lymphocytes in the Fight against Cancer. KU Leuven
The cancer burden represents an overarching health problem and it is essential that EU institutions develop the next generation of diagnostics that overcome the inadequacy of current imaging strategies. Nanomedicine, defined as the use of nanotechnologies in medicine, offers extraordinary opportunities to address these unmet medical needs.
The proposed research project endeavours to find effective anticancer diagnostics through the ...
Biopolymer based stimuli responsive nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. Hasselt University
A complementary in vivo-in silico approach to optimize nanomaterial delivery in solid tumors KU Leuven
Combatting multiple myeloma using Galsome immunotherapy Ghent University
Despite the recent revolution in the treatment of multiple myeloma
(MM), this remains an incurable disease, as most patients ultimately
relapse. Even the otherwise very promising cancer immunotherapy
has not yet been able to live up to its reputation in this type of cancer.
Therefore, this project aims to evaluate a nanomedicine, termed
“Galsomes”for immune therapy in MM. Upon infusion, these
nanoscopic ...
Repurposing of cationic amphiphilic drugs as adjuvants to enhance the cellular delivery of RNA therapeutics Ghent University
Nanomedicine (NM)-mediated delivery of RNA faces many extra-and intracellular barriers. Upon endocytosis by target cells, NMs are trafficked toward lysosomes for degradation and conventional endosomal escape strategies fall short. Here, we propose to exploit cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) as adjuvants to trigger lysosomal escape of RNA therapeutics and to formulate CADs into lipid nanoparticles for improved siRNA and mRNA delivery.