Anouk Van Hauwermeiren
Doctoral fellow - Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGent)
Principal investigator: prof. Serge Van Calenbergh (PhD)
Research focus
Proteolysis Targetting Chimeras (PROTACs) are an emerging class of small-molecule drugs. PROTACs are able to induce the degradation of specific (onco)proteins by utilizing the cells’ own protein degradation machinery. PROTACs offer potential advantages over traditional small-molecule inhibitors, including greater potency, higher selectivity, and fewer off-target effects. Targeted protein degradation with PROTACs is considered to have significant potential as a novel pharmaceutical therapy.
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common cancers in children. Although treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are available, high-risk neuroblastoma still lacks effective treatment.
In my research, I aim to synthesize PROTACs that target Aurora kinase A (AURKA) a protein with crucial growth-inducing functions in several types of tumors including neuroblastoma. The goal of this project is to provide a potential drug candidate for high-risk neuroblastoma. The biological evaluation of these compounds is carried out in collaboration with prof. Durinck’s group at Ghent University.
Contact & links
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, LabMedChem, Ottergemsesteenweg 460 (Blok B), B-9000 Gent
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry
- Anouk Van Hauwermeiren is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks