dr. Rein Verbeke (PhD)

In the last three decades, an improved understanding of the mRNA pharmacology, together with novel insights in immunology have positioned mRNA-based technologies as next-generation vaccines. My postdoctoral research focuses on the immunological effects of mRNA-LNP and the validation of a novel mRNA nanovaccine (GALSOMES).
In this approach, we hypothesized that it could be of benefit to uncouple the translation and type I IFN activities of mRNA vaccines, and to replace the type I IFN response by another, but “smarter” adjuvant. As such, we proposed a novel nanovaccine for the co-delivery of “immunosilent” mRNA and the natural killer T cell activator α-GalCer. 
We were able to demonstrate that this GALSOME approach holds advantages over state-of-the-art mRNA vaccines, by providing a controllable, multifaceted, and effective antitumor immunity, especially when combined with checkpoint therapy.
 

Dr. Rein Verbeke is a senior postdoc in the Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines (Ghent University). His PhD focused on the design of mRNA-LNPs and the adjuvancy of mRNA vaccines. Rein continued his research on the validation of a novel mRNA nanovaccine (Galsomes) for infectious diseases and cancer. In 2022, he visited the group of Prof. Pieter Cullis, University of British Columbia, where he investigated the contribution of LNPs to the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of mRNA vaccines.
 

• Three decades of messenger RNA vaccine development. Nano Today, 2019 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2019.100766)
• Broadening the Message: a nanovaccine Co-loaded with Messenger RNA and α-GalCer Induce Antitumor Immunity through Conventional and Natural Killer T Cells. ACS Nano, 2019 (PMID: 30742405)
• Alpha-galactosylceramide improves the potency of mRNA LNP vaccines against cancer and intracellular bacteria. Journal of Controlled Release, 2024 (PMID: 38697317
• Innate immune mechanisms of mRNA vaccines. Immunity, 2022 (PMID: 36351374)
   

• Lab address: Department of Pharmaceutics, Ottergemse Steenweg 460, 9000 Gent
• Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines
• Researchgate
• LinkedIn
• X (former Twitter)
• Rein Verbeke is interested to receive invitations for talks and presentations