Contact

Helena Braet
Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy
Ghent University
Ottergemsesteenweg 110
9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel: 0032 9 264 8047 (secretary)
Tel: 0032 9 264 8365 (direct)
E-mail: helena.braet@ugent.be

Biography

Helena Braet graduated at Ghent University in June 2018 as a Master of science in Drug development with greatest distinction. During her master’s thesis she evaluated the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on the availability of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in patients with a major depressive disorder. In October 2018 she started her PhD at the Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy. In addition to her research activities, she will assist students during the practical courses of Physical pharmacy.

Research interests
peritoneal carcinomatosis, pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC), nanomedicines, non-viral gene delivery

Summary of Research Project(s)

Yearly, about 150 000 people develop peritoneal carcinomatosis in Europe alone. During the standard treatment regimen patients receive intraperitoneal instillation of chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin after initial cytoreductive surgery. The clinical use of new administration techniques such as pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is however promising. Moreover, innovative pharmaceutical platforms such as nanoparticles and controlled release systems are thought to further boost locoregional drug delivery.
In this research project we will evaluate the potential of controlled release systems for the peritoneal delivery of chemotherapeutics, nanoparticles and biopharmaceuticals such as nucleic acids and antibodies. Therefore, we developed an ex vivo model to test the effect of high pressure nebulization of nanoparticles on isolated peritoneal tissue. Different controlled release systems will be evaluated in vitro and further optimized in vivo in a rat model of peritoneal carcinomatosis.