Marieke Carels

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. While inflammation is a well established driver of CRC, the molecular mechanisms linking epithelial inflammation to tumorigenesis remain incompletely understood. My PhD project focuses on a molecular signalling protein that triggers downstream activation of NF κB specifically in epithelial cells. Persistent NF κB signalling contributes to cancer development and progression by driving the transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, and inflammation. Using a novel mouse model, I investigate how hyperactivation of this protein in intestinal epithelial cells can induce intestinal inflammation, chronic constipation, microbial dysbiosis, and ultimately colorectal cancer. In parallel with in vivo studies, I use in vitro colon organoids derived from our mouse model to gain mechanistic insight into both epithelial-intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to the colorectal cancer development.
 

Led by a strong fascination for immunity and inflammation, I decided to major in Biomedical biotechnology and graduated summa cum laude in 2021. For my Master Thesis, I studied the role of ZFHX3 during the development of intellectual disability at the Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG). I decided to pursue a career in research by starting a PhD (October 2021) at the lab of Prof. dr. Beyaert under the guidance of Dr. Afonina, who both have received international recognition for their work in dissecting different immune signaling pathways. 
 

• ’CARD14 signaling ensures cell survival and cancer associated gene expression in prostate cancer cells’. Biomedicines, 2022. 
   

• Lab address: VIB-UGent, Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Zwijnaarde - Gent
• Rudi Beyaert lab VIB 
• Rudi Beyaert lab UGent 
• Afonina team: Epithelial cell signalling
• LinkedIn
• Marieke Carels is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks