Participant 5. Catholic University Leuven (KULeuven), Leuven, Belgium

Situated in the heart of Western Europe, K.U.Leuven has been a centre of learning for almost six centuries. Founded in 1425 by Pope Martin V, K.U.Leuven bears the double honor of being the oldest existent Catholic university in the world and the oldest university in the Low Countries. At present, K.U.Leuven caters to more than 31,000 students, around 12% of whom are international students from more than 120 nations. In terms of its personnel, there are 5,287 academic staff, 2,730 administrative and technical staff, and 8,172 university hospital staff members. Scientists from two research groups will participate in the project: (i) The Laboratory of Toxicology belongs to the group of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and has an internationally recognized experience in the characterization of ligands (toxins), using chromatography techniques and an electrophysiology-based bioassay, (ii) The Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors division within the Department of Biosystems, Faculty of BioScience Engineering is a frontline research group in biosensor development, including statistical data processing and model based biosensor design.

Role in the project

• Development of a biosensor platform for the detection of marine toxins (e.g., okadaic acid) in the food chain and monitoring bio-active compounds in bioreactors (WP4)
• Screening of fractions and isolated compounds on ion channels and receptors (WP3)

Prof. Jan Tytgat, Ph.D.

Professor of Toxicology and Food Chemistry

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Laboratory of Toxicology and Food Chemistry

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Expertise: characterisation of novel ligands (toxins) from poisonous animals, plants and bacteria, and analytical/forensic toxicology.

Prof. Jeroen Lammertyn, Ph.D.

Professor of Bionanotechnology

Department of Biosystems

Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors

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Website: www.biosensors.be

Expertise:  Development of novel bio-molecular detection concepts for integration in miniaturised analysis systems with applications in food quality and safety and medical diagnostics.