Research Pieter Moons

Abstract

The Royal Decree on the biobanks came into force in 2018. This legislation dictates that all human body material used for research and all derivates thereof, need registration in an accredited Belgian biobank. This legislation has a massive impact on such research because of the need for traceability (destruction in case of withdrawal, need to relay incidental findings back to the patient) and a legally obliged extensive paper trail accompanying each use or transfer of material. Moreover, the GDPR has important implications regarding the use of associated clinical and personal data. In answer to this, the University of Antwerp (UA) and the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) established Biobank Antwerp, as the unique biobank of both institutions, governed in equality under responsibility of the Clinical Research Centre (CRC). Structurally, Biobank Antwerp consists of a central biobank and decentralised hubs. The central biobank, located in UZA, evolved out of an existing tumourbank established in 2009 and hosts lab facilities for sample processing, registration, making optimal use of existing expertise in the field of biobanking. Historically obtained infrastructure (a fully automated cryogenic system, -80°C freezers), obtained with CMI funding, was integrated. The extended scope of the new biobank and the integration of existing flows at both institutions led to the decision to establish decentralised hubs safeguarding important historical sample flows, often with specialised sample processing and executed by trained staff. Overarching, a single sample registration system (BioSLIMS) and a harmonised quality management system were put in place. A strategic Advisory Board consisting of UAntwerp and UZA collaborators, including representatives of each of the hubs oversees and guides the biobank strategic vision and its implementation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Jorens Philippe
• Co-promoter: Huizing Manon
• Co-promoter: Moons Pieter
• Co-promoter: Pauwels Patrick
• Co-promoter: Smits Elke

Research team(s)

• Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The unquestionably needed reform of health and care systems in Europe requires the adoption of innovation and integrated solutions. One way forward is to rethink procurement policies. A positive transformation in this area would be to elevate procurement practices towards an approach that awards the value offered by innovation or integrated solution. The value will be awarded by multi-disciplinary teams responding to specific patients, health care actors and system needs, while taking societal and economic perspectives into account. The EU Coordination and Support Action (CSA) under Horizon 2020 'Innovation in Healthcare' is a highly welcomed initiative. This EU initiative aims at the adoption of innovation in health and care systems and advancing procurement of innovation practices.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Goossens Herman
• Co-promoter: Moons Pieter

Research team(s)

• Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Infectious diseases are a major burden to public health and the global economy, not in the least due to antimicrobial resistance. Rapid point of care (POC) in vitro diagnostics (IVD) are key tools in the effective clinical management of patients with infectious diseases. Yet there is still a large unmet clinical need for more rapid POC IVDs generating more clinically relevant, actionable information. Effectively addressing this need requires a change in the current approach in training researchers on IVDs, generating a new 'breed' of IVD researchers capable of closing the gap between the clinical and technological perspective. ND4ID takes up this challenge by offering 15 ESRs a world-class first of its kind training programme where they will be exposed to the full breadth of disciplines spanning clinical, technological and market-oriented viewpoints, from both the academic and non-academic sector. Through a set of synergistic research projects on novel POC assays, targeting the most important and urgent clinical needs at world leading academic or private sector research groups, the ESRs are offered a holistic training program, preparing them to be lead players in the future IVD field. This training through research is augmented by a unique comprehensive network-wide training programme covering clinical, technical and translational knowledge and skills of relevance to IVD research, development and exploitation. As such, ND4ID will deliver ESRs that will be in high demand serving as an example for other academic and non-academic actors active in training IVD researchers and further strengthening Europe's position in the internally competitive arena of IVD technology.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Goossens Herman
• Co-promoter: Moons Pieter

Research team(s)

• Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM)

Project type(s)

• Research Project