Research
Exploring the molecular mechanisms driving tumor evolution and therapy resistance
VIB research centers operate in five‑year funding cycles. In the last cycle of CCB, we focused on understanding how cancer shapes its surrounding tumor microenvironment and how, in turn, the tumor microenvironment reprograms cancer cells.
We developed four‑dimensional functional maps of the evolving tumor ecosystem at single‑cell resolution, which enabled us to characterize the cellular composition of tumors, study the spatial organization of cancer cell states, and visualize cancer evolution and plasticity across space and time.
In our current cycle, we are trying to understand how the components within these maps interact, how we can intervene in those interactions, and ultimately how we can translate that knowledge to patients.
While we will continue zooming in to dissect how tumor cells communicate with their microenvironment, we are now also zooming out and studying cancer at the whole‑body level to better understand the interaction between the tumor and the host.
We want to understand how the host and different systemic factors (such as hormonal balance, immune interactions, and diet) influence tumor development. In the end, the goal is to find ways to prevent disease progression/ metastasis and increase the impact of our research.
ZOOMING IN
Studying the dynamics of intercellular communications within spatially restricited cellular niches
ZOOMING OUT
Studying the cross-talk between the tumor ecosystem, the host's tumor macroenvironment and external influences
GOING EARLY
Studying tumor initiation and the early events that influence disease progression and metastasis
FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE
Introducing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic combinations into clinical settings
Research Groups
Lambrechts Lab
The Lambrechts Lab tackles questions in oncology by translating genome-scale data sets into clinically applicable knowledge. Their objectives are to leverage the (epi)genetic annotation of tumors to improve cancer prevention, prognosis and therapy.
Bergers Lab
One of the primary objectives of the Bergers Lab is to understand and therapeutically modulate the heterogeneous crosstalk of endothelial and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Cools Lab
The Cools lab studies the genetic complexity of acute lymphoblastic leukemia so that more targeted therapies can be developed. They use cell sequencing approaches to study the heterogeneity of leukemia and to understand the origins or relapse.
Fendt Lab
The overarching vision of the Fendt lab is to mechanistically dissect these metabolic intersections between (metastasizing) cancer cells and their environment to define novel therapeutic approaches.
Mazzone Lab
The Mazzone Lab investigates how metabolic interactions within the tumor microenvironment regulate myeloid cell-driven immunosuppression, blood vessel formation, and immunotherapy resistance.
Scheele Lab
The Scheedle Lab investigates how healthy tissue architecture is involved in the process of tumorigenic transformation, by studying the dynamics of tumor progression at multiple scales, ranging from the molecular level to the organ level.
Halder Lab
The Halder Lab aims to identify the master signals that direct organ growth and then to leverage that knowledge to develop new means to kill cancer cells and to promote regeneration of damaged organs, including damage caused by cancer.
Remsik Lab
The Remsik lab integrates Immunology, Cancer Biology, and Neuroscience to uncover how the cerebrospinal fluid environment shapes immune cell behavior in metastasis. The lab aims to restore immune function and establish a framework for novel intrathecal immunotherapies.
Demeulemeester Lab
The Demeulemeester lab explores the vast amounts of (epi)genetic variation generated during this process of somatic evolution. They are striving to reconstruct when this variation arose, how it influences different ‘omics layers, and how it affects cell phenotypes.
Klingbeil Lab
The Klingbeil lab investigates how specific alterations in gene regulation impact the pathogenesis and therapeutic response of cancer. They aim to identify and target the key regulators of cancer cell adaptation using functional genomics, in order to reverse or prevent therapy resistance.
Ghesquière Lab
At the Ghesquière lab, we are a technology-driven group dedicated to advancing and applying novel mass spectrometry-based technologies in metabolomics. Our credo, “Technology through Biology, Biology through Technology”, reflects our commitment to bridging the gap between technological innovation and biological insight.
Sablina Lab
The Sablina Lab investigates how protein degradation and proteostasis govern tumor evolution and therapeutic response. By activating endogenous RAS-degradation pathways, they seek to overcome resistance to RAS inhibitors and unlock new therapies for RAS-mutant disease.
Agostinis Lab
The Agostinis Lab is studying how metabolic networks that regulate cell fate decisions in cancer cells, and associated stromal cells, impact the primary and peripheral tumor microenvironment, immunosurveillance, and therapy responses.
Carmeliet Lab
The Carmeliet Lab investigates the molecular and cellular basis of the formation of blood vessels in health and disease, in particular the role of vascular heterogeneity and vascular metabolism herein.