dr. Inna Afonina (PhD)

I study molecular signaling mechanisms in cancer cells and immune cells, which eventually contribute to the regulation of tumor cell proliferation and survival. In this context, I focus on NF-kappaB signaling, which is often constitutively activated in both solid and hematopoietic malignancies, and contributes to the development and progression of cancer. NF-kappaB signaling regulates the transcriptional activation of genes associated with several hallmarks of cancer such as cell proliferation, suppression of apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation. A better understanding of this pathway and its regulation can contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In my research, I make use of several in vitro cell models and the mouse as in vivo model.

Since 01.2026 I also manage the Belgian Plasmid Collection (BCCM/GeneCorner), embedded in the Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology (DBMB) and the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research. The Belgian, non-profit BCCM/GeneCorner Plasmid collection strives to share its biological material, as well as its molecular biology expertise and know-how, with its partners and customers via deposit, storage and distribution of recombinant plasmids, as well as preservation of biological material in the confidential deposit collections. BCCM/GeneCorner also offers training, consultancy and gene technology services: plasmid profile analysis, phage contamination testing, plasmid DNA extraction (small and large scale), plasmid sequencing (outsourced) and annotation, genomic modification of (host)strains, transformation of host strains, construction/modification of plasmids. BCCM/GeneCorner is ISO 9001:2015 certified for the core business. 
 

I have completed my PhD studies in the laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland under the supervision of Prof. Martin. In the course of my PhD work I characterized the inflammatory cytokine IL-1α as a novel substrate for the cell death protease granzyme B, for which I have received the National Researcher of the year award (Roche) in 2011. I have further continued as a post-doc in the lab of Prof. Beyaert in VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, where I had a chance to further explore how cell signalling at epithelial surfaces regulates inflammatory immune responses in health and disease. My team within the group of Prof. Beyaert currently explores the intra- and extracellular signaling at epithelial surfaces in the context of skin, gut or lung inflammation, as well as carcinoma, using a combination of omics technologies, molecular and cellular biology, immunology and mouse genetics. Since 01.2026 I also manage the Belgian Plasmid Collection (BCCM/GeneCorner).
 

• Marieke Carels - doctoral fellow
• dr. Aidarova Aigerim (PhD) - postdoctoral researcher
• Femke De Meyer - doctoral fellow
• Emma Vandevoorde - doctoral fellow
   

• Lab address: VIB-UGent, Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Zwijnaarde - Gent
• Contact IRC
• Rudi Beyaert lab VIB
• Rudi Beyaert lab UGent
• Afonina team: Epithelial cell signalling
• Researchgate
• BCCM/GeneCorner
• LinkedIn BCCM Collections
• Inna Alfonina is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks