The monocyte-activation test (MAT) is used to detect or quantify substances that activate human monocytes or monocytic cells to release endogenous mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, for example tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These
Last updated on: 22-02-2022 - 10:56
The neutral red uptake (NRU) assay provides a quantitative measurement of the number of viable cells. The test is based on the ability of living cells to take up and bind neutral red (NR), a dye which easily penetrates cell membranes via non-ionic diffusion and accumulates in the lysosomes. Dying
Last updated on: 21-02-2022 - 15:23
Contact: Roel Anthonissen
Organisation: Sciensano
Status: History of use, Published in peer reviewed journal
The in vitro Alkaline Comet Assay is a microgel electrophoresis technique which allows to measure DNA damage (single and double strand breaks, alkali labile sites, incomplete excision repair sites and cross links) cell by cell. Cells are mixed with 0.8% Low Melting Point Agarose which is spread as a
Last updated on: 21-02-2022 - 15:21
Contact: Roel Anthonissen
Organisation: Sciensano
Status: History of use, Published in peer reviewed journal
The Ames test is a short-term bacterial reverse gene mutation assay specifically designed to detect a wide range of chemical substances that can produce genetic damage that leads to permanent gene mutations. The test has been described in detail in OECD TG 471 and employs several histidine dependent
Last updated on: 21-02-2022 - 15:15
Contact: Roel Anthonissen
Organisation: Sciensano
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal, Validated by an external party (e.g. OECD, EURL ECVAM,…)
Alkaline comet assay (COM) and Micronucleus test (MN) are well-established cytogenetic tests that are used to detect both immediate damages i.e. DNA fragmentation, and permanent damage which results in micronuclei formation. These techniques are often applied separately or, sometimes, in combination
Last updated on: 18-02-2022 - 16:42
Contact: Ha Nguyen
Organisation: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Sciensano
Partners: University of Liège (ULiège)
Status: History of use, Internally validated
Quantum Dots (QDs) have been hypothesized as potential probes for the optical monitoring of electrogenic cell activity given their high optical absorption cross-sections compared to organic fluorophores, high brightness and low photobleaching. Despite the theoretical predictions, less than a handful
Last updated on: 04-08-2021 - 16:50
Contact: Stijn Jooken
Organisation: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: 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
