Core PDXGhent

Preclinical models are essential for cancer research, but many therapies fail in clinical trials due to their limitations. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) address this gap by offering superior clinical relevance, reliable drug screening, and tumor diversity preservation. PDX models use fresh, intact tumor tissue or viable cells from liquid biopsies implanted in immunocompromised mice.

The PDXGhent Core Facility, a recognized core facility of Ghent University, specializes in PDX generation, maintenance, biobanking, and therapy studies. We streamline workflows, optimize costs, and provide full technical and administrative support—from grant writing to experiment analysis. Our diverse PDX collection empowers cutting-edge research. Let’s advance cancer research together with precision and excellence.
 

It is our goal to support and educate researchers, deliver high-quality services available in a timely fashion without excessive administrative burden for researchers.

• PDX generation: We collaborate closely with researchers to process, implant, expand, and validate patient-derived tumor material toward novel PDX models.
• PDX biobanking and catalog development: Our PDX biobank service provides re-initiation and expansion of biobanked PDX models, ensuring reliable access to pre-established patient-derived xenograft material.
• Therapy efficacy studies: Our PDX therapy efficacy studies service utilizes these ‘avatar models’ for personalized medicine and co-clinical trials, providing a translational platform to evaluate therapeutic responses.

Our team offers a wide range of advanced technologies and methodologies to enhance the precision and relevance of preclinical cancer research:

• Various implantation methods to ensure models closely mimic the clinical environment
• Resection of primary tumors enabling the study of metastatic behavior
• Experience in a diverse panel of drug administration routes
• Digital and Manual Caliper Measurements
• Blood analyses to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents
• Close cooperation with core ARTH animal facilities and INFINTY, and core Flow Cytometry

For more information on “how to” and pricing and conditions, please feel free to contact us at PDXGhentcore@ugent.be or visit our website. 
 

• Prof. Steven Goossens (PhD) – principal investigator
• dr. Liselot Mus (PhD) – core coordinator
• Sara T’Sas – animal lab technician
• Liam Aelvoet – animal lab technician
   

• Lab address: Ghent University Hospital, entrance 38, 1e floor, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent
• Website
• Mail: PDXGhentcore@ugent.be
• Tel: 0032 9 332 24 34      or     0032 9 332 86 90