Lecture and Seminar Series

In the near future, the calendar of seminar and lecture series will be published on this page.

Scientists@work

VRC welcomes 2nd and 3rd grade pupils and their teachers to carry out scientific experiments in life sciences in the program of Scientists@Work.

PROJECTS FOR 2008

Microscopical and histological visualization of angiogenesis

Not only during the embryological development but also in adult stages, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) are indispensable for angiogenesis. The study of angiogenesis is one of the major research topics at the Vesalius Research Center (K.U.Leuven). This research is carried out using a broad spectrum of biotechnological, molecular, microscopical and histological techniques.

To visualize angiogenesis not only light but also confocal, fluorescence and electron microscopy is used. Confocal microscopy enables us to obtain three dimensional images of blood vessels in for example zebrafish. These small fish are a model organism to study angiogenesis since they develop in a couple of days a vascular system very similar to mammals. Not only three dimensional observations but also time lapse movies of developing vessels can be obtain using confocal microscopy.

We will guide the students through all different histological techniques starting from dissected tissues out of different test animals until the final microscopical observation and morphometric analysis. Cryo microtomy or sectioning of tissues embedded in paraffin or resin will be demonstrated as well as specific histochemical and immunological staining techniques.

Role of the VEGF-family in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and neurogenesis

The members of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family are crucial for the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) and lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis), both during embryonic development and later in life. Tumors also produce VEGF to attract blood and lymphatic vessels. The blood vessels are responsible for transportation of nutritional substances towards the growing tumor, whereas lymphatic vessels are often used by cancer cells to spread throughout the body. More recently it was shown that VEGF also plays a role in the development of nerves (neurogenesis).

These angiogenic, lymphangiogenic and neurogenic developmental processes are being studied in different small animal models in the Center for Transgene technology and Gene therapy (CTG).
The zebrafish model is very useful to study vascular development. These small, transparent fish develop in only a few days time a complete vascular system that is very reminiscent to the one in mammals. Furthermore it is very easy to knock down genes of interest by injecting short DNA-binding molecules (antisense morpholino oligonucleotides) into freshly fertilized eggs.
The tadpole model is mainly used for the study of lymphatic development. The embryos of the South-African claw frog (Xenopus laevis) only need a few days to grow into free swimming tadpoles with a functional lymphatic system. The development of lymphatics can be modified by morpholino injection or addition of chemical compounds to the tank water.
Finally, tumor models and genetic mutations are being studied in the mouse model. A mutant line expressing low levels of VEGF is being used to study the effect of VEGF on neurodegeneration diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The effect of inhibition of the VEGF signaling pathway is also examined in tumor models. The goal being to block recruitment of blood vessels towards tumors, depriving them of their nutritional source and restricting their growth.

The students will be guide through the different techniques : micro-injection of fertilized zebrafish eggs, treatment of tadpole embryos with chemical compounds, microscopic analysis of zebrafish and tadpole embryos, in vitro culture of tumor cells, physiological activity tests in mouse.

Click for more information on this program.