Contact

Katrien Remaut
Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy
Ghent University
Ottergemsesteenweg 460
9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel: 0032 9 264 8047 (secretary)
Tel: 0032 9 264 8046 (direct)

E-mail: katrien.remaut@UGent.be

Biography

Katrien Remaut was born on the 10th of November 1978 in Ghent. In 2001, she graduated as Pharmacist with the greatest distinction. She then started research work in the Lab of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy under guidance of Prof. De Smedt and Prof. Demeester. In 2007, she received the title of doctor in pharmaceutical sciences with her dissertation ‘Exploring the relation between the intracellular fate and biological activity of nucleic acid nanoparticles’ and continued research work in the lab as postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation Flanders. In 2009, Katrien joined the Directors Research Lab under guidance of Prof. Ian Mattaj at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory during 6 months. Katrien is author and co-author of several peer reviewed scientific publication in e.g. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Biochemistry-US, Biomacromolecules, Biophysical Journal, Journal of Controlled Release, ASC Nano, Nanomedicine and Macromolecules. She received several scientific prices (the scientific price 'Bank van Breda' in 2001; the Highlights of student posters Award in 2003; winner of the AIO competition in 2004; Jan Feijen Poster Award in 2010 and Price of the Royal Academy of Medicine for Scientific Research in Pharmacy, period 2008 – 2011). In 2013, Katrien was elected as member of the Young Academy in Flanders. She was appointed tenure track professor at the Lab General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2014.

Summary of Research Project(s)

1. Intraperitoneal gene delivery to prevent the formation and growth of metastasis: nanoparticle optimization and evaluation of thermosensitive hydrogels

Fig. 1 Overview of different work packages. WP1 studies the aggregation (1) and premature release of siRNA (2) from nanoparticles in the IP fluid. Only intact nanoparticles are efficiently taken up by the cancer cells (3). WP2 determines the drainage of nanoparticles from the IP cavity to the blood circulation or lymphatic system in function of size and charge. WP3 aims to develop a thermosensitive hydrogel to treat peritoneal metastasis. Anti-tumor agents should be released over a prolonged period of time and target the metastatic cells. WP4 (not depicted) finally determines the biological efficacy of the different formulations. (PhD student involved: George Dakwar; Collaborations with Prof. Tine Vermonden (Utrecht University), Prof. Wim Ceelen (Ghent University) and Prof. Achim Aigner (Leibzig University)).  

1. Dose-response relationship upon delivery of nucleic acids to cells: toward a fundamental  understanding of intracellular protein expression kinetics.

Fig 1. Overview of main research questions of the project. mRNA and pDNA will be applied to cells by different modes of administration (1). Intracellular distribution of mRNA and pDNA (2) will eventually dictate protein expression kinetics in function of time (3). Close-up shows the intracellular path of nucleic acid loaded nanoparticles (complexes). (a) endocytosis, (b) endosomal escape of free nucleic acids or nanoparticles in the cytoplasm, (c) dissociation of complexes in the cytoplasm and (d) degradation of nucleic acids influence the eventual amount of mRNA available for translation in the cytoplasm (e), while the nuclear barrier further limits the fraction of pDNA that reaches the nuclear interior (f). When complexes fail to escape the endosomal compartment, their content will eventually be degraded (g). (PhD student Koen Rombouts focusses on advanced microscopy methods to follow degradation of nucleic acids in living cells (barrier d); PhD student Joke Devoldere will focus on the dose-response relationship upon various modes of mRNA and pDNA delivery).