This study aimed to create a versatile and reproducible in vitro model of a human motor unit with functional neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Therefore, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived motor neurons and human primary mesoangioblast (MAB)-derived myotubes were co-cultured in

Last updated on: 09-01-2023 - 15:13

Organisation: Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Neurosciences - KU Leuven
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
The mammary-specific polyomavirus middle T antigen overexpression mouse model (MMTV-PyMT) is one of the most commonly used models in the cancer research field for multiple reasons, among which the spontaneous development of multifocal luminal tumors, the early tumoral onset, and the primary tumors'

Last updated on: 07-11-2022 - 11:47

Organisation: Oncology - KU Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
The protocol is aimed at developing primary human breast organoids that have a morphology similar to the one observed in the in vivo breast. This morphology encompasses a complex network organization composed of interconnected branches that terminate in TDLU-like structures. The organoids are

Last updated on: 07-11-2022 - 11:24

Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Oncology - KU Leuven
Status: Still in development, History of use, Published in peer reviewed journal
In vitro differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or inducible pluripotent stem cells (IPS) to megakaryocytes and platelets using specific differentiation conditions (liquid and 3D media). CRISPR/cas mutagenesis of HSC or IPS to study the effect of gene depletion or specific mutants on

Last updated on: 26-05-2022 - 10:41

Contact: Kathleen Freson
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Still in development, Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
We have established organoid cultures from patient-derived ovarian cancer (OC), in particular from the most prevalent high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Testing multiple culture medium components identified neuregulin-1 (NRG1) as key factor in maximizing OC organoid development and growth,

Last updated on: 28-01-2021 - 11:08

Contact: Hugo Vankelecom
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
We have developed multiple organoid models from a broad spectrum of endometrial pathologies that capture endometrial disease diversity and will provide powerful research models and drug screening and discovery tools. Organoids from endometriosis show disease-associated traits and cancer-linked

Last updated on: 28-01-2021 - 11:08

Contact: Hugo Vankelecom
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
We have established organoids from mouse pituitary with the aim to generate a novel research model to study pituitary stem cell biology in both healthy and diseased glands. The organoids originated from the pituitary cells expressing the stem cell marker SOX2, were long-term expandable, displayed a

Last updated on: 28-01-2021 - 11:08

Contact: Hugo Vankelecom
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
We tissue-engineer in vitro, skeletal muscle consisting of aligned myofibers. To create the so-called bio-artificial muscle (BAM), human muscle progenitor cells are expanded, and a 3D construct is created by mixing the cells with a hydrogel. The cell-gel mix is cast into custom-made silicone molds

Last updated on: 08-12-2020 - 17:46

Contact: Lieven Thorrez
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
Reverse pharmacology is a high-throughput in vitro method to characterise ligand-receptor interactions. In this method, a receptor of interest is expressed in a heterologous cell line and used as a hook to fish out its ligand(s) from a library of synthetic compounds. Receptor activation is measured

Last updated on: 17-04-2020 - 09:56

Contact: Isabel Beets
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
We study the influence of food parameters on the digestive kinetics of diverse nutrients throughout the upper gastrointestinal tract. For this, we use a static in vitro digestion protocol based on the standardized, consensus method recommended by the INFOGEST consortium. Briefly, the food is first

Last updated on: 31-03-2020 - 21:01

Contact: Tara Grauwet
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Partners: INFOGEST consortium
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal