Projecten per jaar
Organisatieprofiel
Organisation profile
Chair: Prof. Ilse Smolders
The Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR) group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Center for Neuroscience (C4N) focuses on innovative pharmacology and psychopharmacology. Our team integrates preclinical neuroscientists, analytical specialists, and clinical researchers to advance pharmacological research and its practical applications, bridging fundamental science and clinical practice to improve health outcomes.
1/ Preclinical research
We use a range of preclinical models to study neurological and psychiatric conditions, including refractory epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, affective disorders, multiple sclerosis, dementia, sensory perception disorders such as pain and itch as well as diseases linked to the autonomic nervous system such as hyperhidrosis and orthostatic intolerance.
Our expertise integrates in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro approaches to explore nervous system function and dysfunction, including a range of rodent behavioural paradigms, cOFM and other biomarker sampling techniques, telemetry-based EEG monitoring and slice electrophysiology methods. Our research combines classical pharmacology and genetic models with cutting-edge tools like chemogenetics and photopharmacology.
The team of Ilse Smolders is dedicated to finding new therapeutic strategies for refractory epilepsy and its main comorbidities such as cognitive impairment.
The team of Dimitri De Bundel studies neuro-immune modulation of cognitive and affective symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders.
The team of Frank Bosmans investigates the roles of ion channels in neuronal function, focusing on voltage-gated sodium channels and their impact on sensory perception processes. He also explores the role of these channels in the sympathetic nervous system and their link to hereditary dysautonomia disorders.
Collaborating internationally, we aim to uncover mechanisms underlying these conditions and translate findings into clinical applications.
2/ Bioanalytical research
Neuropharmacological research is strongly dependent on the availability of sensitive analysis methods for neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and biomarkers in the brain and plasma samples of rodents.
The team of Ann Van Eeckhaut focuses on the development of newer, faster, better, and more sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods for analysis of volume-limited
samples. They apply targeted and untargeted approaches in their research to study small molecule brain mediators and neuropeptides.
3/ Clinical pharmacology
The use of medicinal products during pregnancy, lactation, and in young children requires a cautious approach. Due to the unique physiological changes that occur, risk assessments are challenging, necessitating a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each drug. The group of Eline Tommelein conducts both fundamental and clinical research on the use of medications during these phases of life. The research focuses on ADHD medications, anesthetics, analgesics, and drugs that can affect the hormonal regulation of breastfeeding. In addition, the team performs research on the optimal treatment of conditions that arise during breastfeeding, such as vasospasm, mastitis, and candidiasis of the breast.
Sofie Brouwers' interest in hypertension and how it can be regulated by the brain is long standing. She is interested in how brain mediators interact to control sympathetic tone and blood pressure and may be important in the pathogenesis of many forms of hypertension. She also carries out research into pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of high blood pressure to improve the outcome of difficult-to-control hypertensive patients.
Keywords
- Renine-angiotensine-systeem
- Receptorfarmacologie
- Cardiovasculair systeem
- Neurofarmacologie
Vingerafdruk
Samenwerkingen en hoofdonderzoeksgebieden uit de afgelopen vijf jaar
Profielen
-
Najat Aourz
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Farmaceutische en Farmacologische Wetenschappen - Niet gedefinieerd, Onderwijsbegeleider
- Experimentele Farmacologie
Persoon: Gastprofessor, Administratief/technisch personeel
-
Jo Bossuyt
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Farmaceutische en Farmacologische Wetenschappen - Niet gedefinieerd
- Faculteit van de Geneeskunde en Farmacie
- Experimentele Farmacologie
Persoon: Onderzoeker, Doctoraat, Doctorandus
-
Sofie Bournons
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Farmaceutische en Farmacologische Wetenschappen - Niet gedefinieerd
- Faculteit van de Geneeskunde en Farmacie
- Experimentele Farmacologie
Persoon: Onderzoeker, Doctoraat, Doctorandus
-
FWOTM1217: Noradrenerge modulatie van contextueel geheugen coderen via hippocampus astrocyt α1A receptoren.
1/10/24 → 30/09/27
Project: Fundamenteel
-
HERC66: 3D-CELLMAP: Onthullen van complexe celinteracties in weefsels door middel van 3D super-resolutie proteïne multiplex beeldvorming.
Movahedi, K., Rooman, I., Sermon, K., De Bundel, D., Fioravanti, A., Staels, W., Magez, S., Breckpot, K., De Kock, J., Laoui, D., Goyvaerts, C., Smolders, I., Van Ginderachter, J., Marcelino Rodrigues, R., De Leu, N., van Grunsven, L., Hernot, S., Peeters, E., Vanhaecke, T., De Veirman, K., Ruytinx, J., Van Schependom, J., Kortekaas, I. & Goossens, E.
1/05/24 → 31/05/28
Project: Fundamenteel
-
OZR4299: Bilateral cooperation within the framework of a joint doctoral project: benchfee for joint PhD VUB - UHasselt, MEERT Jessy
22/04/24 → 21/04/28
Project: Fundamenteel
Onderzoeksoutput
-
Kunstmelk voor kinderen in het eerste levensjaar
Tommelein, E., 1 feb 2025, Medi-Sfeer, blz. 38-41 4 blz.Onderzoeksoutput: Article › Specialist
Bestand -
Advancing Hemoglobinopathy Screening with Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
Abbasi, S., Feizpour, M., Weets, I., Liu, Q., Thienpont, H., Ferranti, F. & Ottevaere, P. D. I. H., 8 apr 2024, Advancing Hemoglobinopathy Screening with Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning. Popp, J. & Gergely, C. (redactie). SPIE, Vol. 13006. blz. 1-5 5 blz. 1300604. (Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering; vol. 13006).Onderzoeksoutput: Conference paper
-
Antimicrobial susceptibilities of toxin producing Corynebacterium diphteriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans in Belgium.
Janssen, Z., Martini, H., Vanstokstraeten, R., Vandoorslaer, K., Soetaert, A., Pierard, D., Wybo, I., Demuyser, T. & Van Honacker, E., 2024.Onderzoeksoutput: Poster
-
Antioxidant, neuroprotective, and neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) differentiation effects of melanins and arginine-modified melanins from Daedaleopsis tricolor and Fomes fomentarius
Nguyen, H. A. T., Phu Ho, T., Mangelings, D., Van Eeckhaut, A., Vander Heyden, Y. & Tran, H., 11 nov 2024, In: BMC Biotechnology. 24, 14 blz., 89.Onderzoeksoutput: Article › peer review
Open AccessBestand8 Downloads (Pure) -
Applicability and efficacy of non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation in anxiety disorders in dogs : an open-label trial
Salden, S., Xu, Y., Smet, S. D., Peremans, K., Kwik, J., Dobbeleir, A., Witte, S. D., Van Eeckhaut, A., Saunders, J., Haverbeke, A. & Baeken, C., 2024.Onderzoeksoutput: Unpublished abstract
Activiteiten
-
Prevalence and determinants of elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations in Belgian children and adolescents with overweight or obesity
K. Donderwolcke (Speaker), Thomas Mol (Contributor), Elise Nauwynck (Contributor), Jesse Vanbesien (Contributor), Willem Staels (Contributor), Ilse Weets (Contributor), Jean De Schepper (Contributor) & Inge Gies (Contributor)
15 mrt 2024Activiteit: Talk or presentation at a conference
-
MOVUB Lentesymposium 2024
Steven Raeymaeckers (Chair), Gert-Jan Allemeersch (Participant), Dries Belsack (Participant), Jigme Tshering Bhutia (Participant), Vikram Rao Bollineni (Participant), Cedric Boulet (Participant), Maria Breugelmans (Participant), Christian Verborgh (Participant), Stefan Cosyns (Participant), Jan Maria G D'Haese (Participant), Amin Da'meh (Participant), Adelard De Backer (Participant), Veerle Rita J De Boe (Participant), Ariane De Bondt (Participant), Johan De Mey (Participant), Jarne de Mey (Participant), Floris De Munck (Participant), Philippe De Sutter (Participant), Hannes Devos (Participant), Dirk Devroey (Participant), Seema Döring (Participant), Christine Maria du Maine (Participant), Caroline Ernst (Participant), Ieva Garkalne (Participant), Lode Goethals (Participant), Beyza Gungor (Participant), Stijn Halewyck (Chair), Guido Hubloux (Participant), Bart Ilsen (Participant), Jan Jonckheere (Participant), Mimoun Kichouh (Participant), Michaela Kubincova (Participant), Martine Leeman (Participant), Michèle Leunen (Participant), Astrid Leus (Participant), Johan Urbain M Marchand (Participant), Koenraad Nieboer (Participant), Marc Noppen (Participant), Ewa Maria Osipowska (Participant), Lissa Pipeleers (Participant), Nicole Pouliart (Participant), Hendrik Reynaert (Participant), Sébastien Kindt (Participant), Ann Schiettecatte (Participant), Jan Schots (Participant), Henri Schots (Participant), Dirk Smets (Participant), Tadeusz Stadnik (Participant), Eva Szucs (Participant), Kaoru Tanaka (Participant), Ben Van den Berge (Participant), Frans Van Den Bergh (Participant), Hans Van Den Bossche (Participant), Maurizio Tosi (Participant), Domien Vanhonacker (Participant), Annelies Scholliers (Participant), Patricia Van Der Niepen (Participant), Marian Vanhoeij (Participant), Ines Van Loo (Participant), Johan Vansintejan (Participant), Franciscus Van Tussenbroek (Participant), Anne Vanbinst (Participant), Frederik Vandenbroucke (Participant), Patsy Simonne V Vanfleteren (Participant), Tim Vanderhasselt (Participant), Brigitte Velkeniers-Hoebanckx (Participant), Gudrun Ver Eecke (Participant), Berlinde von Kemp (Participant), Karl von Kemp (Participant), Anniek Vorsselmans (Participant), Ilse Weets (Participant), Inneke Willekens (Participant), Wietse Wiels (Participant), Karl Martin Wissing (Participant), Ingrid Wybo (Participant), Dieter Zeeuws (Participant), Olaf Michel (Participant), Marc Diltoer (Participant), Tine Opsomer (Participant), Claire Van Oostende (Participant), Caroline Vanlersberghe (Participant), Panagiotis Andreas H Flamée (Participant) & Ha-Nam Truong (Participant)
24 mrt 2024Activiteit: Participation in conference
-
Infectious Diseases Event
Annelien Van Dalem (Participant) & Deborah De Geyter (Host)
3 okt 2024Activiteit: Participation in conference
-
Astrocyte-based interleukin-2 gene therapy in temporal lobe epilepsy
Evelien Hendrix (Speaker)
20 nov 2024Activiteit: Talk or presentation at a conference
-
Academic leadership days for early career ZAP
Jachin Van Doninck (Participant), Andreas Debrouwere (Participant), Andres Tabernilla Garcia (Participant), Astrid Vandendaele (Participant), Bruno Tiago da Silva Gomes (Participant), Cleo Crunelle (Participant), Diederik De Cock (Participant), Eline Tommelein (Participant), Gamze Ates (Participant), Giulia Tercovich (Participant), Grace Marie Ku (Participant), Jolien Gijbels (Participant), Kristin Henrard (Participant), Kristof Verfaillie (Participant), Lynn Houthuys (Participant), Martijn Van Heel (Participant), Max Nagel (Participant), Mohamed El Baghdadi (Participant) & Sébastien Kindt (Participant)
7 mei 2024 → 31 mei 2024Activiteit: Participation in workshop, seminar