Pneumology
The laboratory for Translational Research in Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases offers basic, translational and clinical research in chronic airway diseases, including Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
Research Activities
- Investigating the immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of asthma, focusing on the effects of air pollution on asthma onset and aggravation.
- Unraveling the immunological pathways that lead to the initiation and persistence of COPD, combining research in experimental models and a large human lung tissue bank.
- Investigations into cystic fibrosis and respiratory infections.
- In addition to academic research, the department conducts clinical trials in severe asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis.
Research Staff
- Prof. Ken Bracke: asthma, COPD, infectious diseases, lung cancer
- Prof. dr. Guy Brusselle: asthma, COPD, respiratory diseases, immunology, allergy, inflammation
- Prof. Tania Maes: obstructive airway diseases, COPD, asthma, tobacco smoking-induced lung diseases
- Prof. dr. Veerle Surmont: thoracic oncology
- Prof. dr. Eva Van Braeckel: inflammation, infectious diseases, respiratory medicine
- Prof. dr. Karim Vermaelen: thoracic oncology, immuno-oncology
Research Projects
- RNA-MAGIC: RNA-based bioMArkers and tarGets In asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)’
Through multidisciplinary collaboration within this interfaculty RNA-MAGIC consortium, we will discover novel prognostic and theragnostic RNA-based biomarkers in asthma and COPD and optimize RNA-based drug delivery via inhalation.
‘An integrated approach to unravel eosinophil function in chronic eosinophilic disorders. Belgian Expertise Network on Eosinophil Function in Iatrogenic, Cancerous, Infectious, Asthmatic & Rhinitic and Idiopathic Eosinophilic Syndromes (BENEFICIARIES)