MucIRNA: Mucin RNA isoform-based service platform for the monitoring of barrier-related diseases
The mucin research team at the Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP) recently developed a novel high throughput sequencing platform encompassing unique mucin RNA isoform panels that map mucosal barrier dysfunction with the heterogeneity of mucosal diseases, like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Because of the game-changing concept towards a central role for the mucosal barrier function in the therapeutic management of diseases, this biomarker-based platform (MucIRNA) performs an in-depth assessment of the mucosal barrier, facilitating the evaluation of efficacy and treatment outcomes in the therapeutic development of IBD.
Core Offering:
The service platform includes:
· Mucin isoform sequencing, using region-specific panels targeting the gastrointestinal tract.
· Clinical interpretation of biomarker profiles to support decision-making in drug development and personalized therapy.
· Functional permeability testing in patient-derived organoids (under development).
· Sample types include intestinal biopsies, organoids, and blood (for future applications).
The offering enables stratification of patient populations, evaluation of therapeutic response, and incorporation of mucosal healing as a biological endpoint.
For more information, contact: annemieke.smet@uantwerpen.be
Proprietary patents in the domain of mucins
The first family (WO2021/013479) encompasses a series of claims covering MUC1 and MUC13 mRNA isoforms as biomarkers for the management of diseases characterized by mucosal barrier dysfunction. The second family (WO2022/003061) includes a series of claims covering the expression levels of mucins and their mRNA isoforms for use in diagnosis, monitoring, prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19. The third patent family (WO2021053238) protects the use of mucin mRNA expression by RSV-infected epithelial cells able to predict the severity of RSV infections in young children. The fourth patent family (WO2025/120137) encloses the intestinal mucin mRNA isoform landscape and the specific isoform panels that associate with inflammation, IBD subtype and anatomical location in the intestinal tract. For more information, see also here.