Renée De Clopper
Doctoral fellow – Research Unit Plasma Technology, Department of Applied Physics – Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University
Principal investigators: prof. Nathalie De Geyter (PhD) and Prof. Rino Morent (PhD)
Research focus
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and although conventional treatments have advanced significantly, challenges such as treatment resistance highlight the need for new therapeutic strategies.
My research investigates cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAPP) as a novel cancer treatment. When this partially ionized gas interacts with its environment, it generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). These species may selectively kill the tumour as cancer cells reach their RONS threshold more quickly than healthy cells.
CAPP can be applied directly to tumours, but this may cause safety and patient-comfort concerns, uneven treatment, and it penetrates tissue poorly. It is therefore mainly suitable for superficial tumours or use during surgery. Alternatively, a liquid can be exposed to plasma before administration. These plasma-treated liquids (PTLs) allow a safer, more controlled RONS delivery and can be injected to reach deeper tumours.
My research examines which cancer types respond most strongly and why responses differ. In the long term, these insights may help identify optimal treatment doses for different cancer types, thereby guiding more effective treatment decisions. This research will initially focus on in vitro experiments using neuroblastoma, breast and colon cancer cell lines.
However, a limitation of PTLs is their rapid diffusion, which may reduce therapeutic efficacy over time. Therefore, my research will also investigate the effects of plasma-treated hydrogels (PTHs) on cancer cells. By localising RONS at the tumour site and releasing them gradually, PTHs may provide an innovative longer-lasting cancer treatment.
Biography
In 2025, I graduated with a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine at UGhent. I am now pursuing a PhD to further explore tissue engineering, with a focus on plasma-treated liquids and hydrogels as innovative approaches for cancer treatment.
Contact & links
- Lab address: UGent, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, Technicum blok 4, 9000 Gent
- LinkedIn RUPT
- Renée De Clopper is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks