Charlotte Derpoorter

Childhood cancer is still the most common disease-related cause of death in children. Although cure rates for most cancer types now exceed 70-80%, current treatment regimens face some major challenges. There is an unmet need for novel treatment strategies to increase the survival of high-risk groups and decrease therapy-related side effects in childhood cancer survivors. My research focusses on childhood cancer predisposition for the identification of (novel) oncogenes and tumor suppressors. This topic covers clinical-translational research (e.g. inheritance-based identification of cancer-predisposing genes in selected families using the MIPOGG tool, ethical aspects of whole-genome sequencing) to more fundamental research (defining mechanisms of actions).  
My expertise covers diverse in vitro and in vivo lab techniques and bioinformatics, including whole exome/genome sequencing analysis, array CGH, RNA and DNA analysis techniques, cell culture techniques, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, microscopy, DNA repair foci assays and apoptosis assays. Importantly, the optimal translation of the research findings into a clinical benefit for childhood cancer patients and their families is a major aspect of this research line.
 

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 

• 2016-present: PhD candidate in Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University 
• 2015-2016: Data manager & project manager, Belgian Cancer Registry
• 2009-2014: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Ghent University
• 2003-2009: Science – Mathematics, Sint-Jozef Humaniora Brugge

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Belgian Society for Paediatric Haematology Oncology (BSPHO)
• COST Action CA16223 LEGEND
• SIOPE Host Genome working group

GRANTS

• BSPHO scholarship - SIOP2018 (Kyoto, Japan) 
   

• ‘Pinpointing a potential role for CLEC12B in cancer predisposition through familial exome sequencing.’ Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 2019. (PMID: 30350915)
• ‘The molecular genetics of cancer in primary immunodeficiencies: impact on therapy and research opportunities.’ Frontiers in Immunology, 2018. (PMID: 30443258)
   

• Lab address: Laboratory for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, ingang 10 (route 1034), Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent
• Lab for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology   
• LinkedIn  
• ORCID ID  
• Charlotte Derpoorter is interested to receive invitations for talks or presentations