Research Philippe Jorens

Abstract

The complexity of critical illness in intensive care essentially requires a precision approach. Organ failure and sepsis are key detrimental factors in critical illness, and fundamentally driven by an auto-amplifying loop of cell death and inflammation. This process feeds dynamic disease fluctuations and heterogeneity in critical care, which might partially explain inconsistent translatability. Patients with similar clinical presentations typically have different cellular and molecular responses due to individual differences and co- morbidities. To deal with this form of heterogeneity, innovative biomarkers with predictive value are needed to allow determining subtypes of clinically similar patients. There is a growing list of circulating detrimental biomolecules related to some forms of regulated non-apopoptic cell death (i.e. so-called ferroptotic and pyroptotic cell death), which are druggable and allow stratifying critically ill patients. Actually, we discovered that therapeutic targeting ferroptosis or pyroptosis respectively increased survival in experimental models of multi organ failure or septic shock. To allow follow-up of clinical intervention studies, real-time diagnostics for these detrimental factors are needed. Dynamic monitoring of a panel of cytokines in critically ill patients showed prognostic value for 30-day survival, septic shock and organ injury. To level up our proof of concept, we want to conduct a translational study in critically ill patients by using real-time immunodiagnostics to detect ferroptosis and pyroptosis; which should allow quick stratification for the linked targeted therapies thereby preventing organ/systemic dysfunction and mortality. To detect general tissue injury due to excess cell death, we also optimized a procedure to episequence plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) using real-time Oxford Nanopore Technology. As a potential future complementary diagnostic tool, we want to determine the diagnostic power of nanopore episequencing to detect tissue specific cell death. To process the clinical and molecular fingerprint of the critically ill determined in biofluids, we additionally use big data mining approaches in these phenotypically well-characterized patients. Precision intervention based on innovative real-time molecular diagnostics and stratification could bring diagnostics in intensive care into the 21st century and pinpoint which patients are likely to benefit from a certain treatment.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vanden Berghe Tom
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Koljenovic Senada

Research team(s)

• Pathophysiology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Belgian and European citizens are exposed to multiple environmental stressors, such as chemical pollution, noise or lack of green space. The actual PFAS crisis in Flanders illustrates the urgent need for scientific evidence to shape environment & health policy making. EIRENE-Flanders is the Belgian hub of EIRENE RI, the European Environmental Exposure Assessment Research Infrastructure. In line with the holistic 'exposome' approach, it will allow to capture the complex interactions between environmental exposure, lifestyle and socio-economic variables, their impact on biological processes in the human body and effects on human health. It provides the infrastructure for large scale collection of human samples and data, efficient measurements of large sets of chemicals, metabolites and proteins, connection to existing datasets, and use of advanced bioinformatics and data science methods to process these large amounts of data. EIRENE-Flanders will contribute to reduce the environmental burden of disease through scientific evidence for environmental, chemicals, food safety and preventive health policies both at Flemish and at European level, and personalised medicine approaches.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Inappropriately applied mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) can cause clinically important injury to the lung and the diaphragm. While the importance and impact of lung-protective ventilation is well-established, the concept of diaphragm-protective ventilation has only recently emerged as a complementary therapeutic strategy. A fundamentally important concept in diaphragm protective ventilation is the preservation of a low-normal amount of diaphragm activity during mechanical ventilation. Unfortunately, adoption of diaphragm protective ventilation in clinical practice has remained problematic. The integration of lung-protective ventilation with diaphragm-protective strategies has proven to be challenging for the clinician. Furthermore, several subgroups likely have their own specific targets, particularly the pediatric population. This research proposition aims to close this gap between the concept of lung- and diaphragm protective ventilation and the clinical implementation. We aim to develop a clinical tool that will assist the clinician to avoid lung and diaphragm injury, through visualizing ventilatory and respiratory targets. A part of this research proposal is a prospective cohort study, where we aim to include 150 ventilated adult and pediatric patients in the ICU across three international research centers. We will correlate the level of inspiratory activity measured with esophageal pressure monitoring with the occurrence of diaphragm dysfunction, to define diaphragmprotective inspiratory effort cutoff levels. The effect of spontaneous breathing on lung injury will then be evaluated, and merged into a lungand diaphragm protective respiratory dynamics model. The clinician is thus provided with a to deliver individualized mechanical ventilation, which will result in shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, reduced length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and eventually reduced mortality.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

- Phthalates (i.e. DEHP) and alternative plasticizers (APs) are used in plastics to increase their elasticity and extend their lifetime. - Leaching of plasticizers from indwelling medical devices used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) might expose neonates to these chemicals at levels far exceeding tolerable daily dose recommendations. - Although awareness of these plasticizers is growing, they are still used in many (most) medical devices even in the NICU. - Premature neonates are extremely vulnerable to external insults. - This project aims to explore the utility of levels of plasticizers and their metabolites in a keratinous non-invasive matrix (hair) and in urine as a diagnostic tool for cumulative and past exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit. - The possibility that this matrix can detect past and cumulative exposure in this vulnerable population is a novel approach and is expected to provide fresh insights into the detection of past exposure to these chemicals. - The studied plasticizers have toxic effects on neuronal and pulmonary cells, as proven in in vitro and in vivo (animal and human) models. - Based on these pathophysiological effects, we hypothesize that exposure to these plasticizers during the NICU stay contributes to the long-lasting impaired (neurocognitive and lung) development that is frequently observed in neonates after discharge from NICU.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Mulder Antonius

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

We will develop a pioneering holistic framework based on innovative approaches to explore the human exposome in terms of exposure leading to adverse effects with a focus on endocrine-modulated neurological and metabolic disorders by: i. Identifying and characterizing the exposure sources of relevant chemicals in the context of the xposome framework; ii. developing and applying in silico, in vitro and in vivo human and animal models to investigate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes after exposure to chemicals; iii. setting up relevant clinical/epidemiological exposure-wide association studies to better understand the associations between exposure and neurological and metabolic disorders in longitudinal and (nested) casecontrol cohorts and including birth cohorts to understand transgenerational mechanisms; iv. using targeted and untargeted omics techniques (e.g. metabolomics and transcriptomics) in human and animal biological systems to aid data-driven discovery of causal factors for adverse health effects; v. linking exposure to mixtures by integrating exposome research with the adverse outcome pathway concept, a novel toxicological framework structuring the cascade of biological events from an initial molecular-level perturbation of a biological system to an adverse health outcome.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Bervoets Lieven
• Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Eens Marcel
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Knapen Dries
• Co-promoter: van Nuijs Alexander

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has exposed how unprepared our society was in preventing the propagation of highly infectious diseases, protecting the healthcare providers and patients, and efficiently organizing the logistics, while managing large numbers of patients. For the past two years, hospitals have battled to mitigate the spread of the virus in their facilities, a challenge that included the need to daily dispose of thousands of unused, individually‐packaged medical products that could not be disinfected with the traditional disinfection methods. On average, the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) produced around 250,000 kg of medical waste per year. In 2021, the amounts of medical waste increased by more than 10% compared to the pre‐COVID period. Globally, the pandemic not only increased the cost for hospitals, but it also increased the generation of waste around the world by 400‐500%. Moreover, at the height of the pandemic, there was even a critical shortage of medical supplies. Therefore, this was not only an environmental and financial issue, but also a serious healthcare burden. In order to be better prepared for future pandemics, we have prepared a mission‐oriented innovation project, which responds to a specific request from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at UZA. In our IOF‐POC CREATE project here, we aim to develop a non‐thermal plasma (NTP)‐based disinfection device to rapidly eliminate viruses from unused, individually‐packaged medical products: the hospital‐use plasma unit (HUP‐unit). Our HUP‐device will utilize a completely innovative cylindrical geometry design feature with materials to be disinfected, to enhance NTP generation and contact with a large volume of material, and ensure complete, uniform treatment. Indeed, we have to design a completely novel NTP device concept, which we will categorize as a 'moving‐bed' dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). By using the individually‐packaged hospital products as part of the NTP generation mechanism, our 'moving‐bed' DBD HUP‐unit offers a scalable solution to provide rapid disinfection in the hospital. Based on our understanding of plasma dynamics and computational plasma simulations, we have developed this theoretical design, but the feasibility of creating a working prototype remains to be seen. Therefore, in this IOF‐POC CREATE project, we will produce and validate our prototype HUP‐unit in the lab. If successful, our HUP‐unit will allow us to: i) mitigate shortages in individually‐packaged medical products; ii) reduce the waste produced by healthcare facilities and associated waste management cost; iii) reduce the incidence of hospital‐acquired infections.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bogaerts Annemie
• Co-promoter: Delputte Peter
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Lin Abraham
• Co-promoter: Privat Maldonado Angela
• Co-promoter: Sahun Maxime

Research team(s)

• Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine - Antwerp (PLASMANT)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In hospitals where there is a significant workload, performing auscultations can be a timeconsuming process, which also exposes the medical personnel to potentially contagious diseases. Current systems that allow remote auscultations are often not fit for use with large amounts of patients, long-term use, or are limited in terms of functionality. The major drawback in current remote auscultation systems is the relatively bulky acoustic coupler which makes part of the stethoscope assembly. This physical dimension reduces the applicability for long-term monitoring, because of the discomfort for the patient and the inherent risk of decubitus wounds. In this project, we will investigate the construction of thinner stethoscopes, increasing patient comfort

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Steckel Jan
• Co-promoter: Daems Walter
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Verhulst Stijn

Research team(s)

• Co-Design of Cyber-Physical Systems (Cosys-Lab)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 mostly leads to a mild self-limiting respiratory tract illness, however, some patients progress to develop severe progressive pneumonia, multiorgan failure, and death. The project aims to determine factors that dictate the severity of COVID-19. Firstly, guided by our prior data of interaction of certain mucins with the ACE2 receptor and the clinical evidence of excessive mucin production in severe COVID-19 illness, we intend to characterize different mucins for their role in both the initiation and progression of COVID-19. Secondly, based on a severe degree of edematous interstitial lung tissue pathology observed in COVID-19 autopsies and its hypothesized link to abnormally low PaO2 observed clinically, the project intends to characterize aquaporin (AQP) water channels that are responsible for fluid transport across cells. This has important therapeutic relevance for COVID-19 as specific AQP inhibitors have been shown to attenuate inflammation and lung injury and to block mucin hypersecretion. Lastly, mucin expression is also a critical factor in microbiome homeostasis and based on, so far, scarce data that co-infection with other respiratory pathogens and other microbial interactions might modulate COVID-19 severity, the project aims to characterize the microbiome associated with different degrees of disease severity. Identifying factors that shape the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection will lead to identification of plausible targets to treat COVID-19.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Winter Benedicte
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Kumar-Singh Samir
• Co-promoter: Malhotra Surbhi
• Co-promoter: Smet Annemieke
• Co-promoter: Verstraeten Aline

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

- Premature neonates are extremely vulnerable to external insults. - Bisphenol A and phthalates (DEHP) are plasticizers, used in soft plastics to increase their elasticity and extend their lifetime. - Leaching of plasticizers from indwelling medical devices used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) might expose neonates to these chemicals at levels far exceeding tolerable daily dose recommendations. - Although awareness of these plasticizers is growing, they are still used in many medical devices in NICU. They are prohibited in the production of toys intended for children under 3 years of age, but legislation about their use in medical devices isn't strict or clear. - The studied plasticizers have toxic effects on neuronal and pulmonary cells, as proven in in vitro and in vivo (animal and human) models. - This project aims to explore the utility of plasticizer levels in an emerging non-invasive matrix (hair) as a diagnostic tool for cumulative and past exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit. - The possibility that this matrix can detect past exposure in this vulnerable population is a novel approach and is expected to provide fresh insights into the detection of past exposure to chemicals. - Based on these pathophysiological effects, we hypothesize that exposure to these plasticizers during the NICU stay contributes to the long-lasting impaired (neurocognitive and lung) development that is frequently observed in neonates after discharge from NICU.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Mulder Antonius
• Co-promoter: Verhulst Stijn
• Fellow: Panneel Lucas

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

An intensive care unit (ICU) is a safety critical environment where caregivers' activities are crucial to human lives. Adverse events, defined as injuries or complications that are provoked by a medical human error rather than the patient's underlying disease, occur in about one-third of cases in adult ICU patients and the risk of error is cumulative. The risk factors of adverse events include high nursing workload, caregivers' sleep deprivation or fatigue, communication failure, a high patient-to-nurse ratio and poor management. Work-related stress with the accompanying emotions provoked specifically in ICU is well documented. Nonetheless, only few studies have utilized physiological measures regarding research conducted on stress on medical caregivers. Within this project, it is aimed to develop a cognitive assessment platform (CAP) which comprises wearable sensors to enable monitoring of physiological parameters and location in real-time of caregivers within an ICU. This allows creating cognitive states of caregivers, linked to time and place. Workload, fatigue and stress are the monitored cognitive states, as they are the most significant threats towards patient safety. This innovative approach will allow us to correlate the cognitive states of caregivers with specific locations at the ICU, TISS-28, tasks and episodes during their working day and night, which will provide new insights and better understanding of the workflow of the ICU caregivers. Ultimately, this research may provide rich opportunities for examination and discovery in optimising the workflow of ICU caregivers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Bruyne Guido
• Promoter: Vaes Kristof
• Co-promoter: De Bruyne Guido
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Vaes Kristof

Research team(s)

• Product development

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Developing novel neuroprotective and/or immune-modulating therapeutic strategies for almost every neurological disease or trauma requires, both for academia and pharmaceutical industry, the existence of robust in vitro cell culture models to mimic disease-associated pathological events. Unfortunately, a complex interplay between multiple central nervous system (CNS) cell types and multiple cell types from the body's peripheral immune system, cannot be easily recapitulated by currently used 2-dimensional (2D) co-culture assays. It is exactly therefore that successful pre-clinical experimental efficacy has proved to be very difficult to translate into clinical benefit, and as a consequence there is an increasing gap in knowledge and progress between bench and bed side. One highly promising novel approach to improve the predictive power of in vitro human neuro-immune research consists in developing modular 3D brain organoids that resemble brain tissue at the structural, cellular and functional level. Within this project we aim to develop and optimize a new method for generating isogenic 3D brain organoids, comprising human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, hPSC-derived astrocytes and endothelial cells will be used to create a blood-brain-barrier model for physical separation of hPSC-derived macrophages from the generated human 3D brain organoids. Together, this integrated cell system will represent a powerful new 3D human neuro-immune cell culture paradigm. Within this multidisciplinary IOF-SBO project, the methodological approach to generate 3D brain organoids, combined with the experience in the field of clinical research and the availability of patient samples, is truly unique and will - in first instance - highly contribute to the field of in vitro cerebrovascular disease modelling and treatment validation. Furthermore, our aims to install an integrated 3D brain organoid technology platform at the University of Antwerp, will - given the current scientific and economic interests – allow for both short-term and long-term valorisation of our combined efforts, with both intellectual (PhD-theses, A1 publications) as well as financial (contract research) revenues.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Ponsaerts Peter
• Co-promoter: De Vos Winnok
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Timmermans Jean-Pierre
• Co-promoter: Wouters An

Research team(s)

• Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Gastrointestinal barrier disturbances are postulated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases characterised by underlying inflammation and ranging from metabolic disorders (obesity) over gastrointestinal diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease) towards infection (sepsis). 1./ In this translational project we first want to investigate the effect of pharmacological modulation of gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction in three animal models representing different conditions of clinically relevant inflammation; more precisely irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and sepsis. The target molecules were chosen based on their proposed role on the epithelial barrier. The role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, a membrane-bound brush-border enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties, will be investigated on the interplay between intestinal permeability, inflammation and visceral pain. We will also investigate the effect of newly developed serine protease inhibitors on this 'permeability-inflammation-pain' axis because proteases too, being abundantly present both in the gastrointestinal tract and the gastrointestinal lumen, have been proposed as important mediators in permeability, inflammation and visceral pain. 2./ In close parallel with the experimental part and based on the outcome data obtained in our animal models, we will perform a translational study in which human biopsies and/or surgical specimens of patients with IBS, IBD or sepsis will be collected for the validation of the biomarkers identified in the experimental part. The combination of data on the patient's clinical background, his/her immune response and the severity of intestinal permeability disturbances will generate a unique patient profile that might help stratifying patients allowing a personalized treatment. Moreover, as no approved therapeutic agents are currently targeting the epithelial barrier, more research on the gastrointestinal permeability-inflammation-visceral pain axis is eagerly awaited.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Winter Benedicte
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Concertation, harmonization and integration of the biobank infrastructure in Antwerp within the European BBMRI initiative. Structural biobanks, i.e. collections of high quality samples together with large sets of well-documented, up-to-date epidemiological, clinical, molecular information from large numbers of patients and controls, are essential for the advancement of research and development of life sciences. They are especially important for translational biomedical research, which is often based on innovative, high-throughput technologies, where access to large collections of human biological materials and related (clinical) data from patients and health donors is a crucial and rate-limiting step. The scientific and socioeconomic impact of biobanks and their integration into national and international networks is crucial. The pan-European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) aims at improving the accessibility and interoperability of population-based and clinical-oriented collections of biological samples in Europe. This project aims to set up and maintain local biobank infrastructures in Antwerp (at UA/UZA) within a harmonized quality framework, according to ethical and legal requirements, with common access procedures and an integrated catalogue of available samples. Enhancing the catalogue function will enable effective collaboration between different researchers and will bring biobank collections together on a single virtual harmonization platform. This will allow UA reseachers to strengthen their participation in the European biobank and research networks conform international quality and connectivity standards.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Biobank Antwerp is a collaboration between Antwerp University and the University hospital Antwerp (UZA). The biobank aims to store high quality human biological material and to make it available for research.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Smits Elke

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the client. UA provides the client research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project will (1) investigate the importance of the gastrointestinal tract as initiator and maintainer of sepsis by correlating the immune response in the GI tissue to the systemic immune response, (2) evaluate the interaction between immune cells and the neuronal system thereby increasing our knowledge in the field of neuroimmune modulation and (3) specifically looking into DC- and T cell-targeted therapies for the treatment of sepsis ultimately leading to novel strategies to treat critically ill patients.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Winter Benedicte
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

A major problem in the intensive care unit of hospitals are bacterial infections in critically ill patients. Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) occurs in patients at least 48 hours after intubation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by bacteria during many metabolic processes and chemical reactions. The measurement of VOCs in the exhaled air of patients may offer a new perspective for detection of infection. The technique Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) will be used for the breath analysis. This project aims to explore exhaled breath analysis as a diagnostic tool for VAP en the causative bacteria involved. By speeding up the diagnosis and the initiation of the correct antimicrobial therapy, morbidity and mortality can be declined.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Fellow: Janssens Heleen

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this post-doctoral mandate, I will validate and refine an innovative approach for estimating illicit drug use in the general population based on sewage analysis for human excretion products of these substances ("sewage epidemiology"). In the first objective of this proposal, I will validate the approach by simultaneously executing a drug consumption questionnaire (the gold standard at this moment) and sewage epidemiology for a well-defined population and time period. The data resulting from both approaches will be compared and can serve as a validation of sewage epidemiology. The second objective focuses on refining sewage epidemiology back-calculations, by addressing the issue of estimating the population contributing to a specific sewage system in an objective, dynamic and real-time way. Different approaches for estimating the real amount of people contributing to a specific sewage system will be based on the analysis of specific markers in sewage that result from human activity. The last objective deals with applying sewage epidemiology for new and innovative purposes, such as the exploratory investigation of the use of new and emerging substances and through the execution of uniformed Europe-wide monitoring studies that allow reliable international comparisons on the epidemiology of illicit drug use. It is expected that the successful completion of these objectives will have positive implications for international drug policy and public health.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Neels Hugo
• Fellow: van Nuijs Alexander

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This proposed multidisciplinary research consortium, consisting of 6 different laboratories from the University of Antwerp, aims to understand the cellular and/or functional interactions of NSC implants in healthy and injured neural tissue (cuprizone-mediated demyelinisation mouse model). With this research project, which focuses on the in vivo molecular and physiological control of NSC, we aim to contribute to the in vivo study and modulation of NSC migration, survival, differentiation and functional integration.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Berneman Zwi
• Co-promoter: Giugliano Michele
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Pauwels Patrick
• Co-promoter: Ponsaerts Peter
• Co-promoter: Van Der Linden Annemie
• Co-promoter: Ysebaert Dirk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This is a fundamental research project financed by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO). The project was subsidized after selection by the FWO-expert panel.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Conraads Viviane
• Co-promoter: Van Tendeloo Vigor
• Fellow: van Ierssel Sabrina

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand the Flemish Public Service. UA provides the Flemish Public Service research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Neels Hugo
• Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Wijnants Marc

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The central aim of the proposed research project is the development of microarray derived molecular biomarkers for micro pollutants in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and validation of the selected set of biomarker genes under complex environmental relevant conditions. In order to be valuable in environmental risk evaluation the biomarker gene set has to meet several criteria.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bervoets Lieven
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Knapen Dries
• Co-promoter: Van der Ven Karlijn

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been used in commercial and household products, with a number of new BFRs (nBFRs) being recently introduced on the market. At this moment, very little is known regarding the environmental fate, food chain transfer, metabolism and toxicological profile of these nBFRs and this warrants additional and systematic research. The present proposal builds on the extensive experience and collaboration network related to BFRs accumulated in my first research mandate. A first objective is the validation of suitable analytical methods for the detection of nBFRs at trace levels in environmental and biological matrices. It further aims at a systematic investigation of the exposure routes, fate and biomagnification potential of nBFRs in representative aquatic and terrestrial food chains. This research will also aim at evaluating the degree and pathways of human exposure to nBFRs. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of nBFRs in representative species, including humans, will also be investigated. Finally, the project will investigate the metabolic rates for the most important nBFRs. The completion of the proposed project will ensure a better understanding of the accumulation, fate and metabolism of nBFRs in biota.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Neels Hugo
• Fellow: Covaci Adrian

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Verpooten Gert

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

It is recently hypothesised that the disturbance of weight homeostasis leading to obesity in humans might at least partially be influenced by endocrine disrupting chemicals. This study particularly investigates the accumulation and role of older and new emerging endocrine disrupting chemicals in the pandemic of the 21st century called obesity. The effects are studied at molecular, cellular and organism level using in vitro and in vivo approaches, analytical techniques, cell culture, genomics, genetics and epidemiological data in humans.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Neels Hugo
• Co-promoter: Van Gaal Luc
• Co-promoter: Van Hul Wim

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The fundamental aim of this project is to develop and to validate a mathematical model to transform concentrations of the most prescribed and used pharmaceuticals and their metabolites of which the use is known (RIZIV) in waste water in an amount of used pharmaceuticals in Belgium (measured vs. predicted environmental concentrations).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Bervoets Lieven
• Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Neels Hugo

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Conraads Viviane
• Co-promoter: Van Tendeloo Vigor
• Fellow: van Ierssel Sabrina

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Neels Hugo
• Co-promoter: Bervoets Lieven
• Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Covaci Adrian
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

• Toxicological Centre

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project will investigate whether transplantation of defined embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (ES-NSC), genetically modified to secrete neurotrophic factors, can support or improve recovery after TBI and SCI. An improved recovery can be due to: A) a decreased secondary neural loss due to secretion of neurotrophic factors, and/or B) an enhanced neural recovery due to functional integration of transplanted ES-NSC and/or recruited endogenous NSC.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Berneman Zwi
• Co-promoter: De Deyn Peter
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Van Bockstaele Dirk
• Co-promoter: Van Marck Eric
• Co-promoter: Ysebaert Dirk

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Neels Hugo
• Fellow: Covaci Adrian

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Ponsaerts Peter
• Fellow: Ronsyn Mark

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Objectives: -To study the effect of pre-emptive aciclovir therapy to prevent the invasion of the lower respiratory tract by HSV in patients in intensive care with reactivation of HSV in the oropharynx, in a double blind placebo controled randomized study and to measure differences in outcome between treated and untreated patients. -To further objectivate the incidence rate of HSV reactivation in the respiratory tract of critical care patients and define risk factors for the reactivation of the virus. -To evaluate genome homologies between HSV isolated between and within patients. -To compare the sensitivity of conventional viral culture and molecular detection methods, and to demonstrate any relation between the viral load and disease severity/progression or outcome by using quantitative PCR techniques

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Ieven Margareta
• Co-promoter: Goossens Herman
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Blust Ronny
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Schepens Paul
• Fellow: Covaci Adrian

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Currently, there is no effective therapeutical approach for central nervous system injuries (both brain and spinal cord injury). Our research project will focus on 1) the tranplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived neural cell types in order to replace the damaged neural tissue, and 2) the transplantation of adult stem cells genetically modified in order to produce neurotrofic factors for regeneration of damaged neural tissue. Our project will be divided into two parts: a spinal cord injury model and a traumatic brain injury model. For the spinal cord injury model, a surgical transsection will be made on the spinal cord of rat, followed by tranplantation of both non- and gene-modified adult/embryonic stem cells at different time points in the injured spinal cord. Functional recovery will be monitored using the BBB-score for evaluation of locomotor function. For the brain injury model, induced via a weight impaction on the skull of the mouse, both non- and gene-modified adult/embryonic stem cells will be transplanted at different time points in the injured brain. Functional recovery will be monitored using standarised cognitive and motoric tests

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Ponsaerts Peter
• Fellow: Ronsyn Mark

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Berneman Zwi
• Co-promoter: Buytaert Philippe
• Co-promoter: Cras Patrick
• Co-promoter: Delbeke Luc
• Co-promoter: Van Bockstaele Dirk
• Co-promoter: Van Bogaert Pierre-Paul
• Co-promoter: Van Tendeloo Vigor
• Co-promoter: Verlooy Jan

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this study herpes simplex virus in the upper en lower respiratory tract of intensive care patients will be detected bV conventional and molecular techniques. Genotyping of the isolates will be developed to define their origin and possible pathological role. Investigations will be carried out to identify the immune defence mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis of these infections. Ultimately, we aim to conduct prospective randomised studies on the treatment and prevention of these infections.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Ieven Margareta
• Co-promoter: Goossens Herman
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The characterization of natural defense mechanisms against the formation of radical oxygen and liberation of proteases by neutrophils as well as the factors responsible for the increase in vascular permeability may result in new treatments of lung damage.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Slegers Herman
• Co-promoter: Herman Arnold
• Co-promoter: Jorens Philippe

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project