Research Gert-Jan de Bruijn

Abstract

The use of digital technologies in public health is a key instrument to curb the rising healthcare costs. An important research area for this endeavor —also within the MIOS research group—focuses on socalled Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): under what circumstances are computer-generated health recommendations and information accepted and used by humans? This research field does not only focus on the human side of HCI (such as how people experience and appreciate interactions with digital technologies), but also on the computer side of HCI: how can computer systems be developed so that they not only have a better understanding of human (text) input, but also how can they generate engaging and relevant information and recommendations that are aligned with the perceptions and behaviors of the human user? Perhaps the most urgent health problem these days in Flanders relates to mental health, especially among youth and young adults. For instance, recent reports indicate that - in the past seven years - there has been a substantial increase in young people and young adults that report depressive and/or anxiety symptoms (European Union, 2022). Despite Flanders having a relatively good health care system for mental health, more than 70% of the Flemish population does not receive adequate support for their mental health symptoms and problems (Rens et al., 2022). This is primarily because of the lack of availability and accessibility of services (such as distance and long waiting lists), as well as stigmatization and shame regarding help seeking for mental health issues. Of particular worry is that previous digital interventions, such as the use of mobile apps and telehealth, have not led to an increase in the digital intervention use, nor in a decrease in mental health problems (Rens et al., 2022). Thus, it is prudent to develop and evaluate low-threshold and effective digital solutions to assist Flemish youth and young adults to deal with mental health issues. Recent developments in the field of generative AI and computational linguistics, combined with an increased understanding of how people respond (in a humanlike manner) to digital conversational partners like chatbots, provide interesting tools to meet this current need. The research group MIOS has built a long research tradition in this domain and for these target groups, thereby offering an excellent and unique platform to tackle this challenge successfully. MIOS has been involved in national research projects focused on specific domains of mental well-being in youth (e.g., Friendly ATTAC; AMiCA, DISCONNECT; Sexual Well-being of Young People) and is also involved in (inter)national research projects on the development, use, evaluation, and implementation of new and AI-driven communication technologies related to mental well-being in youth (e.g., What's BOThering You, Look Who's Talking). Research within MIOS has, for example, shown that chatbots are increasingly generating more relevant health advice without crossing ethical boundaries (such as safeguarding personal autonomy and free choice) and under which circumstances people positively evaluate, accept, and use chatbots as a significant source of information for health-related behavior change. MIOS also has strong contacts with the youth and digital media sector and with leading (inter)national experts in the field. Expanding the scientific foundations for the development, evaluation, and acceptance of these AI-informed digital techniques in the context of youth mental health is the main challenge of this proposal.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Co-promoter: Poels Karolien
• Co-promoter: Vandebosch Heidi
• Co-promoter: Walrave Michel

Research team(s)

• Media, ICT and interpersonal relations in Organisations and Society (MIOS)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

People are frequently exposed to bacteria in the urban environment. Kitchen sinks within the urban environment harbour a wide variety of bacteria, potentially leading to increased risks of food contamination. Studies on the microbial community in domestic and institutional kitchen sinks, including characterization of antimicrobial resistance and biofilms, is often limited by low sample numbers or sequencing depth upon metagenomics analysis. Given the increasing population density in Flanders and the need to provide safe food, extensive characterisation of the sink microbiome is necessary. In this FWO SB-Beurs titled POEMBAKterie, I will use a Citizen Science approach to investigate the kitchen sink (or in Antwerp dialect "Poembak") microbiome on a large scale in Antwerp. Participants from households and various institutions (e.g. schools, retirement homes) will respond to a survey, swab their own kitchen sink and return the samples to our lab. I will use a combination of state-of-the-art metagenomic approaches and wet-lab microbiological analyses to investigate the taxonomy, presence of pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in the presence of detergents and on different materials. Results will shed light on the bacteria living in sinks within the urban environment, and the implications for food safety, cleaning practices and sink design.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Puyvelde Sandra
• Co-promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Fellow: Arconada Nuin Enya

Research team(s)

• Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Early diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) is necessary due to its high incidence, health impact, and the aging population. In this project, we develop standardized and high throughput screening strategies to characterize proteins and microRNAs released from joint cells under pathological conditions. Using artificial intelligence techniques, where complex molecular profiles are linked to both early and late clinical progression data, non-invasive predictive biomarkers for early OA diagnosis are established. Based on this, we develop a tool for very early OA detection. In parallel, we investigate how society and healthcare can become receptive to this screening tool.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan

Research team(s)

• Media, ICT and interpersonal relations in Organisations and Society (MIOS)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

From noise-sensitive areas to oases of silence: with the large-scale citizen science project De Oorzaak, De Morgen (DM), the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) and UAntwerpen are focusing on noise and noise perception in an urban environment. In 2024-2025, we will investigate how residents of different neighborhoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven appreciate the environmental noise present. By means of questionnaires (subjective), smart sound sensors (objective) and medical research (UAntwerpen and UZA) we will classify which sounds are heard, what sound level these sounds have, how these sounds are experienced and what impact they have on health, stress, sleep and quality of life.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vuye Cedric
• Co-promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia
• Co-promoter: Couscheir Karolien
• Co-promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Co-promoter: Dens Nathalie
• Co-promoter: Hellinckx Peter
• Co-promoter: Lembrechts Jonas
• Co-promoter: Poels Karolien
• Co-promoter: Spacova Irina
• Co-promoter: Van Hal Guido
• Co-promoter: Vanoutrive Thomas

Research team(s)

• Sustainable Pavements and Asphalt Research (SuPAR)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Scientific breakthroughs, debates, and controversies reach the general public not through scientific publications, but largely through the news media. However, which breakthroughs, debates, and controversies are 'newsworthy' are by no means the same for everyone. In this project we investigate which (f)actors are important in the production of scientific news through qualitative and quantitative content analysis, and interviews with stakeholders.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Co-promoter: Paulussen Steve
• Fellow: Vissers Miguel

Research team(s)

• Media, ICT and interpersonal relations in Organisations and Society (MIOS)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The DARTBAC project will prepare the Netherlands for the time when antibiotics are much less effective in the prevention and eradication of infection due to AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR). DARTBAC will, from a material perspective, develop new antimicrobial technologies that are not based on antibiotics to target infection prevention and eradication on implant surfaces, in hard tissues and in soft tissues. In this way, we are unique yet synergistic with most other initiatives that focus on an antibiotics approach. In addition, we will maintain awareness of the emerging AMR problem in the Netherlands by informing the general public and HealthCare Practitioners (HCPs). DARTBAC is an interdisciplinary, 23 partner consortium consisting of (1) academic partners with expertise on infection, materials, imaging, in vitro models and social sciences; (2) technical university partners with expertise on material science, imaging, and in vitro and in vivo test models; (3) university medical centres with expertise on infection, microbiology, in vitro and in vivo models, imaging, animal models, material technology, and clinical studies; (4) small and large medical device companies and start-up companies with antimicrobial technologies; (5) scientific societies and knowledge institute of medical specialists with direct access to our target audience and patient groups for communication and dissemination; the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) with expertise on materials science and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs); and (7) an international knowledge platform on AMR with expertise on AMR communication. Collectively, we are bridging the entire knowledge-chain regarding development of new material technologies to combat AMR.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan

Research team(s)

• Media, ICT and interpersonal relations in Organisations and Society (MIOS)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project is funded by an International Francqui Professor Chair grant, awarded to Prof. Dr. Peter Schulz. The prestigious Chair promotes inter-university cooperation which allows to strengthen scientific cooperation with foreign countries and to expand the horizons of our university staff. Schulz is a world-leading expert in the field of health communication, the scholarly field that studies the causes, content, and consequences of communication related to health. His research spans the entire field of health-related media, focusing on a wide range of health-related topics, and using a variety of research methods, in a wide range of international settings. The chair wlll be taken up for the period 01/04-2026 until 01/07-2026, with the University of Antwerp as the host institution (under supervision of Prof. Dr. Gert-Jan de Bruijn) and KU Leuven as the co-host institution (under supervision of Prof. Dr. Kathleen Beullens and Professor Dr. Tim Smits). Peter Schulz will not only hold an Inaugural lecture entitled 'Health Communication m a European Context', but will also actively contribute to ongoing doctorate and post-doc research projects. The chair will be concluded with a one-day mini-symposium 'Health Communication Dynamics in Turbulent Times'.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan

Research team(s)

• Media, ICT and interpersonal relations in Organisations and Society (MIOS)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project