Generation of Hepatic Stellate Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem for in vitro liver fibrosis studies

We established a protocol to efficiently generate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Our procedure generated complex in vitro spheroid cultures that better mimic the complexity of the liver as well as liver function. In co-culture, iPSC-HSCs promote maintenance

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:49

Contact: Leo A. van Grunsven
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Partners: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
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Chemical Activated LUciferase gene eXpression

The CALUX method is an in vitro bioassay that uses reporter gene cell lines that have been stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene under the control of relevant receptor specific DNA response element. This enables the screening for chemicals that can bind to specific receptors and

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:47

Contact: Imke Boonen
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
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The amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii infection model

Amoebae are natural eukaryotic predators of bacteria, yeasts, fungi and they are ubiquiste. They are excellent and easy-to-use cellular infection models, as they allow to co-cultivate any organisms in a broad range of infection medium, compatible with high quality microscopy techniques,

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:45

Contact: Charles Van der Henst
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
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In vivo infections using the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella

A calculated number of bacteria is injected through the pro-legs of the larvae. As several entry points are present, this allows to inject virulent bacteria and potential antimicrobial compounds within the same host. The survival of the larvae is scored over time (days post inoculation) until about

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:43

Contact: Charles Van der Henst
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
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Mouse in vitro follicle culture bioassay for fundamental and translational research on oocyte developmental capacity

Follicle Biology Laboratory has developed a well characterized and standardized MOUSE in vitro follicle culture (IFC) system. In this system, early stage ovarian follicles are cultured in vitro under physiological hormone concentrations up to fertilizable and developmentally competent mature oocytes

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:32

Contact: Ellen Anckaert
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: History of use, Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
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Cellular / Slice electrophysiology

In this method, it is possible to use active/viable animal or human brain slices / cells (normal or disease model) to study the effects of different drugs on brain cells (neuron or glia) in diverse brain region.

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:28

Contact: Surajit Sahu
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: History of use, Published in peer reviewed journal
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Fabrication of optofluidic and microfluidic devices

Prototyping and replication (small series production) of microfluidic or optofluidic devices, in thermoplastic polymers or in glass. 3D nanoprinting is also available to produce microscaffolds, possibly within microfluidic channels.

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:25

Contact: Jürgen Van Erps
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: Internally validated, Published in peer reviewed journal
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Compact, multimodal spectroscopic devices for the read-out of microfluidic organs-on-chip

Recent improvements on the structural aspects of organ-on-chips pave the way towards a large-scale application. As such soon the number of read-out instruments that are in operation in parallel will need to drastically increase. Unfortunately, standard read-out equipment is bulky, complex and

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:23

Contact: Wendy Meulebroeck
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: Still in development
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In vitro human experimental model for pancreatic acinar dedifferentiation

Loss of acinar differentiation drives pancreatic cancer. An established human in vitro experimental model is used in our lab to study this process. Pancreatic exocrine cells from human donors are placed in suspension culture in Advanced RPMI medium supplemented with 5% heat-inactivated fetal bovine

Last updated on: 16-03-2022 - 14:19

Contact: Elyne Backx
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Status: Published in peer reviewed journal
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