Projects
Developing a proof of concept for glassfibre reinforced polyamide parts produced by laser sintering KU Leuven
Function and regulation of the polyamine transporter ATP13A3 in polyamine homeostasis KU Leuven
Polyamines are physiologically important cations that support vital cell functions, but their levels decline with ageing. A disturbed polyamine homeostasis is implicated in ageing-related disorders, whereas polyamine supplementation promotes longevity. Cells acquire polyamines via biosynthesis, or via uptake through the polyamine transport system (PTS). We recently established ATP13A3 as a major component of the PTS that is genetically ...
Investigating the role of ATP13A4 as polyamine transporter in the cellular and in vivo polyamine homeostasis KU Leuven
Genetic ATP13A4 mutations have been implicated in a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, whereas upregulation of ATP13A4 is implicated in cancer. ATP13A4 is an orphan transporter belonging to the P5B-transport ATPase family and our preliminary data show that ATP13A4 is a polyamine transporter. In this project, we will firmly establish the biochemical properties of ATP13A4 and will investigate the impact of ATP13A4 modulation on cellular ...
Depolymerisation of polyamides via chemocatalytic strategies KU Leuven
Amines are important nitrogen-containing components with a wide range of applications, such as the synthesis of polyamides or Nylon. Today, amines are mainly produced from fossil sources. An interesting alternative method is the valorisation of biomass and residual flows for the production of such components. Therefore, in this PhD research, strategies were developed for the direct conversion of carboxylic acids and carboxamides to (primary) ...
Targeting ATP13A3-dependent Polyamine Transport for Neuroblastoma Therapy KU Leuven
In order to sustain their hyperproliferative phenotype, neuroblastoma cancer cells strongly rely on an increased polyamine pool, thus targeting polyamine homeostasis represents an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, the drug difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) that inhibits polyamine synthesis has so far been unsuccessful in the clinic due to the compensatory upregulation of cellular polyamine uptake. Therefore, combination therapy that ...
Development of ultra-stable polyamine membranes for nanofiltration. KU Leuven
With the current, worldwide growth of industry comes an immense environmental impact. As the pharma, dairy and mining industry utilise a great deal of organic solvents and produce waste streams potentially containing harmful components, purification and separation is needed. Currently, these processes are done using energy-consuming techniques, often in combination with high temperatures. The use of membranes for solvent-resistant ...
The impact of ATP13A4-mediated polyamine transport in astrocytes on synaptogenesis and neurodevelopmental disorders KU Leuven
Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a serious public health challenge in modern society due to their high prevalence, complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology, as well as high health care costs and quality of life implications. ATP13A4 is a promising candidate gene that has been associated with specific language disorders, autism and psychiatric diseases. However, the biological and (patho)physiological role of ATP13A4 remains unknown. ...
Polyamine and iron interplay at the interface between mitochondria and lysosomes with its putative implications for Parkinson’s disease. KU Leuven
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease whose main symptoms are the consequence of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its pathological hallmarks include protein aggregation and lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, excess iron accumulation in dopaminergic neurons and defects in the metabolism of polyamines have been implicated in the pathology of PD. Multiple studies suggest ...
Development of polyamine membranes KU Leuven
Large scale energy storage is becoming increasingly important and redox flow batteries have gained a lot of attention in this regard. Ion exchange membranes are a crucial component of redox flow batteries in terms of performance and cost-efficiency. Polyethers and polyamines are promising candidates for the development of these ion exchange membranes due to their excellent stability. This project aims to test the applicability of these ...