Research Interests

Adhesion and signaling in development and disease

Research Area

We use the aquatic organism Xenopus tropicalis, which due to its external development and egg size can easily be manipulated and can be micro-injected using simple and cheap experimental set ups. As a result, CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockouts can be generated at high frequencies. Importantly, unlike Xenopus laevis or the zebrafish, Xenopus tropicalis has a genuine diploid genome which is a unique and important feature. Using TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated targeting of tumor suppressor genes, we have obtained the very first genetic cancer models in Xenopus tropicalis (e.g. for retinoblastoma, glioblastoma, T-ALL, AML and desmoid tumors). We are using multiplexed gene targeting for identification of oncogenic drivers and proteins that are essential for tumor formation and hence may provide novel anchor points for therapy. In addition, we are using our aquatic tumor models for pre-clinical drug validation. Our Xenopus model is well positioned between cell culture studies and mouse cancer models. Having an aquatic model greatly simplifies issues with drug administration, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. This should increase the effectiveness and speed for bringing new compounds to the clinic. This is important since the shift from cell culture validation to animal models is a critical bottle neck in the current Drug Discovery Pipeline.

Current Members

Vleminckx, Kris (Principal Investigator/Director)

Alumni

Naert, Thomas (Graduate Student)

Contact

Institution: Ghent University

Web Page: https://www.crig.ugent.be/en/prof-kris-vleminckx-phd

General/Lab Phone: +32 9 33 13 760

General/Lab Fax: :+32 9 221 76 73