Research team
Expertise
Research on congenital hearing loss in collaboration with the department of Medical Genetics of the University of Antwerp. Research on airway problems and sleep-related breathing disorders in children with Down syndrome in collaboration with the department of Pediatrics at the Antwerp University Hospital. Research on pediatric sleep disordered breathing in collaboration with the department of pediatrics of the Antwerp University Hospital and international collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Pediatric Sleep Group.
Antimicrobial potential of Streptococcus salivarius as probiotic for the upper respiratory tract.
Abstract
The microbiota of the upper respiratory tract (URT) is emerging as a gatekeeper to respiratory health, but it is currently underexplored at the functional level compared to other body sites. URT diseases such as otitis media (OM) form leading causes for antibiotic prescription, while the functional role of bacteria in the disease pathology is still not clear. Consequently, new insights into the functional biology and microbial ecology of OM as a microbial disease are needed to design novel therapeutic strategies. Microbiome sequencing of the URT revealed Streptococcus salivarius as one of the primary colonizers of the oral cavity shortly after birth. It is also significantly more abundant in the nasopharynx of healthy children compared to children with chronic OM. Endogenous beneficial bacteria can indeed play a pivotal role in URT health through inhibition of respiratory pathogens and immunomodulation. As a key beneficial commensal, specific strains of S. salivarius could have high potential as URT probiotics. These strains can produce secreted secondary metabolites with bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity, but their role in probiotic effects is currently underexplored. This project will focus on exploring the metabolic properties and functional potential of S. salivarius isolates, which will be evaluated through dedicated in vitro culturing systems, phenotypic screening assays and comparative genomics, combined with an innovative proof-of-concept study in humans.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Lebeer Sarah
- Co-promoter: Boudewyns An
- Co-promoter: Spacova Irina
- Co-promoter: Vanderveken Olivier
- Fellow: Van Malderen Joke
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
A clinical and physiological approach to sleep-related breathing disorders, investigating new diagnostic techniques and their therapeutic implications
Abstract
The aim of our work is to obtain an insight into the factors related to the occurrence and termination of apnea. Therefore, we study upper airway characteristics during sleep: site of upper airway obstruction, airway collapsibility, respiratory effort and arousal mechanisms. Secondly, the influence of different treatment modalities on these parameters is investigated. Therapeutic consequences and the influence on the quality of life of patients with sleep-related breathing disorders are also investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Boudewyns An
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Upper airway instability during sleep: study of diagnostic modalities and therapeutic implications in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.
Abstract
The aim of our work is to obtain an insight into the factors related to the occurence and termination of apneas. Therefore, we study upper airway characteristics during sleep: site of upper airway obstruction, upper airway collapsibility and local resistance. Secondly, the influence of differents treatment modalities on this parameters is investigated. Therapeutic consequences and the influence on the quality of life of patients with sleep-related breathing disorders are also investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van de Heyning Paul
- Fellow: Boudewyns An
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project