Project

Universal, cost-effective and hypersensitive open-source technology platform for liquid biopsy based on methylome profiling of circulating DNA.

Code

01G03324

Duration

01 January 2024 → 31 December 2027

Funding

Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund

Promotor-spokesperson

Nico Callewaert

Research disciplines

Natural sciences
- Analysis of next-generation sequence data
- Epigenomics
Medical and health sciences
- Single-cell data analysis
Engineering and technology
- DNA analysis technology
- Medical biotechnology diagnostics

Keywords

methylomics epigenomics diagnostics oncology Molecular biology biotechnology liquid biopsy

Project description

The methylation pattern of DNA released by dying cells in body-fluids is specific to each (pathological) cell type. Therefore, it constitutes a universal source of diagnostic information. Together, we are building a molecular-biological methylation-profiling technology, innovating for higher-sensitivity detection of low-abundance methylation patterns. Simultaneously, we maintain a feasible cost for clinical use, and we test the technology in oncological diagnostic challenges.