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FIELD OF EXPERTISE
- DNA and RNA sequencing for SNV, indel and fusion detection (massive parallel sequencing)
- Molecular diagnostics of solid tumors and hematological malignancies
PROJECTS
As coordinator of the platform molecular diagnostics UZ Gent (MDG), novel capture- and amplicon-based next-generation sequencing technologies are being validated for the detection of SNVs, indels, CNVs and fusions in DNA/RNA of tumor tissue, blood or bone marrow samples of cancer patients. The presence of certain genetic defects can help to predict therapy response, can guide the diagnosis and/or can fine tune the prognosis of cancer patients with solid tumors or hematological malignancies.
Using these DNA and RNA-based NGS technologies, MDG collaborates with the pathology department in the further characterisation of rare tumor entities and the detection of novel variants and fusions in tumor samples resulting in interesting case reports. Novel technologies including comprehensive genomic profiling, mutation analysis in liquid biopsies using NGS, reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) for methylation profiling, homology recombination deficiency testing are being explored to implement further in the clinical setting.
Using these DNA and RNA-based NGS technologies, MDG collaborates with the pathology department in the further characterisation of rare tumor entities and the detection of novel variants and fusions in tumor samples resulting in interesting case reports. Novel technologies including comprehensive genomic profiling, mutation analysis in liquid biopsies using NGS, reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) for methylation profiling, homology recombination deficiency testing are being explored to implement further in the clinical setting.
DEGREES
- Doctor of Medical Sciences, Defended May 2014 (dissertation: 'Lost in transcription – Emergence of epigenetic drivers and microRNAs in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia')
- Permanent Education Course in Human Genetics (Interuniversity, genetic centers Belgium, 2010)
- Master in Bio-engineering: Cell and Gene biotechnology (Ghent University, 2008)