PhD Theses

Strategies to overcome the lysosomal entrapment of siRNA therapeutics and chemotherapeutic drugs

• Pharm. Cristina Muntean
• 2018-2023
• K. Raemdonck (promotor), K. Remaut (promotor)

A lipid nanoparticle platform for RNA delivery with cationic amphiphilic drugs : merging the best of both worlds

• Pharm. Bram Bogaert
• 2017-2022
• K. Raemdonck (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

LBL delivery systems for intracellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids

• Pharm. Maryam Sharifiaghdam
• 2017-2022
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), J. Fraire (promotor)

Layer-by-Layer self-assembly technique : a tunable tool for delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids

• Pharm. Elnaz Shaabani Shishani
• 2017-2022
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), J. Fraire (promotor)

Ocular enzyme delivery and nanotechnology : expanding the therapeutic horizon for vitreoretinal diseases

• Pharm. An-Katrien Minnaert
• 2017-2022
• K. Remaut (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Exploring biochemical and biophysical methods for the delivery of biologics to the corneal epithelium

• Pharm. Mike Wels
• 2017-2022
• S. De Smedt (promotor), F. Sauvage (promotor)

In-dept analysis of vapor nanobubble-mediated permeabilization at the level of the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope

• Pharm. Gaëlle Houthaeve
• 2016-2021
• W. De Vos (promotor), K. Braeckmans (promotor)

Exploring (bio-) polymeric matrices and light for advanced pharmaceutical and medical applications

• Pharm. Dawei Hua
• 2016-2021
• S. De Smedt (promotor), C. Huang (promotor), F. Sauvage,  R. Xiong

Exploring novel drug delivery strategies in rheumtoid arthritis : nanomedicines and ultrasound triggered drug delivery

• Pharm. Joke Deprez
• 2016-2021
• S. De Smedt (promotor) , P. Jacques (promotor),  I. Lentacker (promotor)

Old drugs with new tricks: repurposing small molecules to promote lysosomal escape of small nucleic acid therapeutics

• Pharm. Thys Van de Vyver
  
• 2016-2021
• K. Raemdonck (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Intracellular delivery of MRNA and proteins by VNB photoporation for cancer immmunotherapy

• Pharm. Laurens Raes
  
• 2016-2021
• K. Braeckmans (promotor)

Delivering on the promise of adoptive T cell therapy: assessment of non-viral methods for direct cytosolic delivery of membrane-impermeable cargo

• Pharm. Jelter Van Hoeck
• 2016-2021
• K. Raemdonck (promotor)

Light-responsive nanoparticles : from bio-imaging to intracellular delivery

• Sc. Aranit Harizaj
  
• 2016-2020
• K. Braeckmans (promotor) , I. Lentacker (promotor) and D. Poelman (promotor)

Beyond the surface: unraveling the intracellular mechanism behind surfactant protein B (SP-B) mediated siRNA delivery

• Pharm. Roberta Guagliardo
  
• 2016-2020
• K.. Raemdonck (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

The versatility of nucleic acids: a detailed view on mRNA therapeutics and the exploration of oligonucleotides for in-drug-labeling

• Pharm. Heyang Zhang
• 2016-2020
• K. Remaut (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Intracellular labeling of live cells with extrinsic probes by laser-induced photoporation

• Pharm. Jing Liu
• 2016-2020
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), R. Xiong (promotor)

Lung surfactant-hydrogel nanocomposites for pulmonary siRNA delivery: breaching barriers for nanomedicine-based inhalation therapy

• Pharm. PJ. Merckx
• 2015-2020
• K. Raemdonck (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Exploring the interface between nanomedicines and aerosolization for intraperitoneal drug delivery

• Pharm. M. Shariati
• 2015-2020
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Remaut (promotor), W. Ceelen (promotor)

Sonoprinting of nanomedicines: from a mechanistic understanding towards preclinical translation

• Pharm. S. Roovers
  
• 2015-2019
• S. De Smedt (promotor), S. Lentacker (promotor)

Laser-induced vapor nanobubbles : the golden ticket to the biofilm center

• Pharm. E. Teirlinck
• 2014-2019
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), T. Coeneye (promotor)

Potential and pitfalls of non-viral mRNA delivery for ocular therapies

• Pharm. J. Devoldere
• 2014-2019
• K. Remaut (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Design of messenger RNA lipid nanoparticles for cancer immunotherapy

• Pharm. R. Verbeke
  
• 2013-2019
• S. De Smedt (promotor), H. Dewitte (promotor)

Investigating the intracellular delivery of non-viral gene therapeutics : a focus on the endosomal barrier

• Pharm. L. Vermeulen
• 2014-2018
• K. Remaut (promotor), K. Braeckmans (promotor)

What you see is what you get: the physicochemistry of nanoparticles dictates how they cross ocular delivery barriers and alter autophagy

• Pharm. K. Peynshaert
• 2013-2018
• K. Remaut (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

Expanding the biologist's toolbox with microfabricated sample holders for single objective spim and single particle tracking for the characterization of nanomedicines

• Pharm. E. Zagato
• 2012-2018
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), K. Neyt (promotor, K. Remaut (promotor)

Unraveling the potential of nucleic acid mimics to target Helicobacter pylori infections – the effect of biological barriers

• Pharm. R. Sobral Santos
• 2013-2017
• N. Azevedo (promotor), K. Braeckmans (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor)

The repurposing of low molecular weight drugs to induce lysosomal release of siRNA

• Pharm. F. Joris
• 2013-2017
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Raemdonck (promotor)

Intracellular delivery of biopharmaceuticals and contrast agents by VNB photoporation and sizing nanomaterials in bio-fluids by FRAP

• M.S. R. Xiong
• 2011 - 2017
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor), A. Skirtach (co-promotor)

Exploring the intraperitoneal route of administration for siRNA delivery in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis

• Pharm. G. Dakwar
  
• 2011 - 2016
• K. Remaut (promotor), S. De Smedt (promotor), W. Ceelen (co-promotor)
  

Exploring extracellular vesicles for siRNA delivery and Raman-based diagnostics

• Pharm. S. Stremersch
  
• 2011 - 2016
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Raemdonck (promotor), K. Braeckmans (co-promotor)

Combining the strengths of cytotoxic I cells and nano-medicines for cancer immunotherapy

• Pharm. L. Wayteck
• 2011 - 2016
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Raemdonck (promotor)

Fluorescent labelling of DNA: strategies, pitfalls and necessity for fluorescence microscopy investigations of gene therapy

• Ir. K. Rombouts
  
• 2012 - 2016
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), K. Remaut (promotor)

Unraveling microbubble-cell interactions and drug delivery mechanisms in ultrasound-guided therapy

• Pharm. I. De Cock
  
• 2011 - 2016
• S. De Smedt (promotor), I. Lentacker (co-promotor)

Exploring bio-inspired nanocomposites of nanogels and pulmonary surfactant for small interfering RNA delivery

• Pharm. L. De Backer
  
• 2010-2015
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Raemdonck (co-promotor)

mRNA Modification and delivery strategies towards the establishment of a platform for safe and effective gene therapy

• Biotechnologist O. Andries
  
• 2010-2015
  
• N. Sanders (promotor), S. De Smedt (co-promotor), T. Kitada (co-promotor)

Design and evaluation of immunotheranostic biomaterials as cancer vaccines

• Pharm. H. Dewitte
• 2010-2015
• S. De Smedt (promotor), K. Breckpot (promotor), I. Lentacker (co-promotor)

Overcoming biological barriers to nanomedicines for the treatment of pulmonary biofilm infections in cystic fibrosis

• Pharm. K. Forier
• 2009- 2013
• K. Braeckmans (promoter), J. Demeester (co-promoter), K. Raemdonck (co-promoter)

Optimizing delivery of gene nanomedicines towards the retina via intravitreal administration

• Ir. T. Martens
• 2010-2014
• K. Braeckmans (promotor), S. De Smedt (co-promotor), K. Remaut (co-promotor)

Injectable drug-loaded microbubbles: a magic bullet for image-guided cancer therapy

• Pharm. B. Geers
• 2009-2013
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor), I. Lentacker (co-promotor)

Improving FRAP and SPT for mobility and interaction measurements of molecules and nanoparticles in biomaterials

• Ir. H. Deschout
• 2007- 2012
• K. Braeckmans (promoter), K. Neyts (co-promoter), J. Demeester (co-promoter).

Delivery vehicles carrying antigenst to dendritic cells

• Pharm. M.L. De Temmerman
• 2007-2012
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor), J. Rejman (co-promotor)

Overcoming intracellular barriers in non-viral gene delivery: chromatin targeting, mRNA and non-coding DNA

• Ir. N. Symens
• 2007-2012 Universiteit Gent
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), K. Remaut (co-promotor),  J. Rejman (co-promotor)

Lipo- and polyplex-mediated mRNA delivery and its application in reprogramming of fibroblasts towards pluripotency

• Pharm. G. Tavernier
• 2007-2012
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Rejman (co-promotor), J. Adjaye (co-promotor)

Particulate antigen delivery to dendritic cells in the context of HIV-1 immunotherapy

• Master in Science W. De Haes
• 2007-2012 Universiteit Antwerpen
• G. Van Ham (promotor), S.C. De Smedt (co-promotor)

Exploring Electrospun Fibers for Pharmaceutical Use

• Ir. C. Huang
• 2007-2011
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

On the cellular processing of nanomedicines for retinal gene therapy and their suitability for intravitreal injections

• Ir. D. Vercauteren
• 2006-2011
• S.C. De Smedt (co-promotor); K. Braeckmans (promotor)

Assessing Dextran Nanogels for Intravenous Small Interfering RNA Delivery

• Pharm. B. Naeye
• 2006-2011
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor) J. Demeester (promotor), K. Raemdonck (co-promotor)

Biodegradable dextran nanogels as functional carriers for the intracellular delivery of small interfering RNA

• Pharm. K. Raemdonck
• 2004-2009
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Development of pharmaceutical carriers for intracellular delivery of siRNA into hepatocytes

• Pharm. K. Buyens
• 2004-2009
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), N.N. Sanders (promotor)

Design and Evaluation of Drug Loaded Microbubbles for Ultrasound Guided Cancer Therapy

• Pharm. I. Lentacker
• 2003-2009
• S.C. De Smedt (-promotor), N.N. Sanders (promotor), J. Demeester(copromotor)

Exploring New Applications for Photophysically Encoded Microcarriers

• Pharm. F. Fayazpour
• 2003-2008
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Development of a Sensitive Diagnostic Multiplex Platform based on Digitally Encoded Microparticles

• Ir. S. S. Derveaux
• 2003- 2008
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules for Antigen Delivery

• Ir. S. De Koker
• 2003-2008 t
• S.C. De Smedt (co-promotor), N. Mertens (co-promotor) J. Grooten (promotor)

Non-Viral Delivery Strategies to Guide Therapeutic Nucleic Acids through Cellular Barriers

• Biotechnologist R. Vandenbroucke
• 2003-2008
• S.C. De Smedt (co-promotor), J. Demeester (promotor), N.N. Sanders (promotor)

Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules for Pharmaceutical Applications

• Ir. B. De Geest
• 2003 – 2006
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester ( promotor)
• Gehonoreerd met de Andreas De Leenheer Prijs (2008) uitgereikt door de International Club of Flanders

Vitreous and Neural Retina Are Barriers for Non-Viral Ocular Gene Therapy

• Biotechnologist L. Peeters
• 2003-2008
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), N.N. Sanders (promotor), J. Demeester (co-promotor)

Biodegradable Dextran and PEG Micro- and Nanogels: Physicochemical Properties and Sustained Release features

• Ir. T. Van Thienen
• 2002 – 2007
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Self-Assembling Microsphere-Based Dextran Hydrogels for Pharmaceutical Applications

• Pharm. S. Van Tomme
• 2007
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), W. Hennink (promotor)

Exploring the Relation between the Intracellular Fate and Biological Activity of Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles

• Pharm. K. Remaut
• 2001-2007
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Evaluation of Dual Color Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Antisense Oligonucleotide/carrier Complexes for Intracellular Delivery

• Ir. B. Lucas
• 2000 – 2005
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Onderzoek naar Biofarmaceutische Barrières voor de Intracellulaire Vrijgave van Genetische Geneesmiddelen uit Farmaceutische op Polymeren Gebaseerde Gencomplexen

• Pharm. E. Van Rompaey
• 1998 - 2003
• S.C De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Fysisch Farmaceutisch Onderzoek naar de Penetratie van Macromoleculaire Geneesmiddelen Doorheen Cystic Fibrosis Sputum

• Pharm. N. Sanders
• 1997-2001
• S.C De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)
• Gehonoreerd met de nationale prijs van het Belgisch Genootschap voor Farmaceutische Wetenschappen (2003) en de Leonardo Award (2002)

Het Coderen van Microcarriers

• Physicist K. Braeckmans
• 1999 -2004
• S.C. De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)
• Gehonoreerd met de “Young Biotechnology Researchers Award” (2005)

Gepulseerde Geneesmiddelvrijgave uit Hydrogelen

• Pharm. B. Stubbe
• 1999 – 2004
• S.C De Smedt (promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)

Fysisch Farmaceutische Studie: de Invloed van Dextranase op de Vrijstelling van Macromoleculaire Geneesmiddelen uit Dextraan-Methacrylaat Hydrogelen

• Ir. T. Meyvis
• 1995-1999
• S.C De Smedt (co-promotor), J. Demeester (promotor)