Adult intestinal stem cells are grown into closed 3D structures with protruding buds and a luminal compartment. These 3D structures are produced from the stem cells present in the base of crypts isolated from rectal mucosa samples that can be collected by suction or forceps biopsy. The crypts are

Intestinal organoids are cultured from intestinal biopsies obtained during routine endoscopy. The stem cell containing crypts are isolated and cultured in a 3D ECM (Matrigel) in the presence of the desired growth factors. The present stem cells will expand and give rise to all epithelial cells of

We have developed and validated yeast models to study aspects related to protein folding diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These models allow to gain further insight in the cellular processes involved in the etiology of these disorders and as such identify potential new bio-markers

FIBEr (Flanders Institute for Biomechanical Experimentation) is a laboratory that investigates the mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, microstructure) of biological tissue, in casu bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, etc. A quantitative characterization of the mechanical behavior of