Expertise

My PhD research project focused on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in the mouse/human germline and human pluripotent disease stem cell models targeting genes related to infertility. Currently, I am working as a post-doctoral researcher in the Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group in UAntwerp led by Prof. Vincent Timmerman. My main focus is to investigate Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) in different 3D human stem cell models.

Technique

Laboratory skills: - mouse and human embryology - micromanipulation - mouse handling - sperm cells, oocytes, embryos and stem cells freezing/vitrification and thawing - stem cell (embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells ...) techniques: derivation, culture, analysis ... - germ line and stem cell editing - single cell analysis of embryos - genetic analysis of gene editing events (i.e. NGS, STR, SNP, qPCR ...) - iPSC-derived model creation and analysis: motor neuron (2D and 3D), muscle (3D) and neuromuscular 3D models

Users

Researcher interested in 2D/3D neuromuscular stem cell models, gene editing and germ line experiments.

Keywords

3d stem cell model, Cmt

The Peripheral Neuropathy Group has expertise in mapping and identifying genes, and in studying the effect of mutations on the normal functioning of genes via neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines. This information is compared to clinical, neurophysiological and neuropathological data which are essential for genotype/phenotype correlations. The construction of transgenic models is complementary to the clinical and cellular research, and enables to unravel the pathomechanisms for sensory and/or motor neuropathies. We have further expertise in identifying genes through differential suppressive subtraction hybridisation in primary motor and sensory neurons, construction of cDNA libraries, identification of genomic and protein structures, and gene expression in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, including Schwann cells. We make use of transient and stable transformations, but also of the Crispr/Cas9 genome editing technology. In recent years we gained knowledge with microscopy technologies and the phenotyping of mouse and Drosophila models for peripheral neuropathies.

Technique

Technologies used in molecular genetics and cell biology.

Users

Physicians and neuromuscular centers (national and international), that have access to families and patients with disorders of the peripheral nervous system.

Keywords

Molecular genetics, Human genetics, Cell biology, Biotechnology, Nervous systems, Neuroscience