The research group Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GRAD) brings together researchers from the field of genetics, reproduction and developmental biology. The group is built around six specialty teams:
The research team Reproduction and Genetics (REGE) carries out research in the interface between developmental biology and genetics. We study, amongst others, the genetic basis of infertility and poor embryonic development, as well as the genomic regulators of cell fate acquisition. Our lab works on human preimplantation embryos as well as embryonic stem cells, and stem-cell derived models such as blastoids and organoids.
The Center of Medical Genetics (CMG) is situated in the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel and specializes in clinical research covering a broad range of topics within medical genetics including reproductive genetics, oncogenetics, cytogenetics, cardiogenetics and rare genetic diseases.
The Neurogenetics (NEGE) team studies how the development of the brain can be disturbed and lead to severe congenital defects.
The Biology of the Testis (BITE) team studies spermatogenesis with a special focus on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Our research entails (1) patient follow-up after childhood gonadotoxic treatment; (2) the development and implementation of methods to cryopreserve and transplant SSCs or testicular tissue; (3) the generation of sperm cells in-vitro; (4) the search for causes of Klinefelter Syndrome-related infertility.
The aims of the Follicle Biology (FOBI) Laboratory are the design and validation of new culture systems for ovarian follicles and immature oocytes to establish practical, applicable strategies for fertility clinics.
The research team Reproduction and Immunology (REIM) studies the biology of human reproduction. We focus on infertility associated with fertilisation failure, poor embryo development, implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage and pre-eclampsia. By utilising human embryos donated for research, we study gene regulatory networks and signalling pathways orchestrating lineage differentiation in human pre-, peri- and post-implantation embryos. In parallel, we examine the crosstalk between the embryo and the endometrium during implantation, which involves immunological interactions. To facilitate our studies on implantation, we have developed 3D models of the human endometrium, which we use for co-culture studies with human embryos.
The Beta Cell Neogenesis (BENE) team is dedicated to regenerate beta cells for innovative cell therapies in diabetes. Our research tackles critical questions: Where do new beta cells originate from in adult organisms? Do they proliferate from existing cells, differentiate from progenitor cells, or transdifferentiate from non-beta cells into beta-like cells? How can we enhance beta cell resilience in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and improve the efficacy of cell therapies? To explore these questions, we utilize advanced genetic mouse models, human cadaveric and stem cell-derived pancreatic islets, and cutting-edge technologies. Through this exploration, we aim to uncover new avenues for effective diabetes treatment.
