Department of Biomolecular Medicine

OncoRNALab

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Jo Vandesompele        Pieter MestdaghOncoRNALab Logo

Prof. Jo Vandesompele        Prof. Pieter Mestdagh

Research

Mission

The OncoRNALab aims to exploit RNA for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The various research lines converge on studying the role of (non-coding) RNA in cancer and on the utility of extracellular nucleic acids in liquid biopsies. Through a combination of high-throughput (functional) genomics technologies and bio-informatics tools, we seek to answer various fundamental and translational research questions.

Interests

  • Study of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cancer by gaining insights in the mechanisms through which ncRNAs operate
  • Evaluate the use of ncRNAs as therapeutic cancer biomarkers
    • Elaborate cancer omics analysis to prioritize candidate ncRNAs as potential targets
    • Evaluation of the biomarker potential in liquid biopsies from cancer patients by applying state-of-the-art RNA sequencing technology
  • Development of novel technologies and data analysis methods to support the research of ncRNAs 
  • Origin and biomarker potential of extracellular RNA in human biofluids (blood plasma, urine, uterotubal lavage, seminal plasma)
  • Added value of extracellular RNA on top of cell-free DNA in cancer patients’ liquid biopsies
  • Development of a custom spatial transcriptomics platform with single cell resolution

Current projects

  • Tail biomarker genes in liquid biopsies from cancer patients
  • Development of a custom spatial transcriptomics platform
  • Study of pleiotropic treatment effects and mechanisms of resistance in mouse models of neuroblastoma
  • Single cell RT-dPCR
  • Role of extracellular RNA in neuroblastoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer

Team

Anneleen Decock - PostdocOncoRNALab

Annelien Morlion - Postdoc

Bram De Wilde - Postdoc

Eric J. De Bony - Postdoc

Louis Delhaye - Postdoc

Tom Van Maerken - Postdoc

Wim Trypsteen - Postdoc

Elena Ramos Varas - PhD student

Franco Poma Soto - PhD student

Hanne Van Droogenbroeck - PhD student

Philippe Decruyenaere - PhD student

Ramiro Martinez - PhD student

Scott Ailliet - PhD student

Thijs Van der Snickt - PhD student

Xin Wang - PhD student

Eveline Vanden Eynde - Lab Technician

Jasper Anckaert - Bioinformatician

Justine Nuytens - Lab Technician

Kimberly Verniers - Lab Technician

Nurten Yigit - Lab Technician

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