Daan Schollaert

During tumorigenesis, large numbers of myeloid cells are recruited to the tumor. Upon arrival, these cells are reprogrammed to become immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages, neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. This contributes to the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and is a major factor limiting the efficacy of current immunotherapies. As such, these myeloid cells represent highly promising therapeutic targets. 
During my PhD, we will explore the effect of mRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) on tumor-homing myeloid cells. Moreover, we will design LNPs that specifically target these myeloid cells. Once optimized, the mRNA LNPs will be employed to reprogram these highly immunosuppressive cells towards a more anti-tumoral phenotype.
 

Daan Schollaert started his Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences at Ghent University in 2020, and obtained his master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2025 with greatest distinction. He performed his master’s thesis at the Experimental Surgery Laboratory (Ghent University) with the title: ‘Exploring the anti-tumor potential of lymph node-targeted delivery of toll-like receptor agonist nanoparticle formulations in a novel colorectal cancer mouse model’. In the summer of 2025, he went to Boston, Massachusetts (USA) for a summer internship at the Lieberman Laboratory, Boston Children’s Hospital | Harvard Medical School under guidance of Prof. Dr. Judy Lieberman. In October 2025, Daan started his PhD at the Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy under the supervision of Prof. Ine Lentacker.
 

• Lab address: Department of Pharmaceutics, Ottergemse Steenweg 460, 9000 Gent
• Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines
• LinkedIn
• Daan Schollaert is interested to receive invitations for talks and presentations