Karine Breckpot Email and Phone Number

I'm a biomedical researcher working on tumor immunology. On the one hand I'm involved in the development of dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer. To that end, I'm focussed on dissecting the dendritic cell biology and the signals that lead to priming of effector T cell responses, whilst circumventing suppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells. On the other hand, I'm evaluating strategies for direct immunomodulation of the tumor environment. These include induction of immunogenic cell death by delivery of pro-apoptotic molecules, down-regulation of molecules critical for tumor progression, i.e. Stat3. For modification of dendritic cells and tumor cells, both in vitro as in vivo (mouse models), I use (targeted) lentiviral vectors, mRNA and si/shRNA. Besides experience in conducting research projects, I have extensive experience in coordinating research projects, guidance of students and technicians. I further participate in several national and international cooperations, both at the industrial as academic level.On the academic level, I give lectures for several Master classes, including Gene Therapy, Hematopoietic Cell Therapies and Manipulation of the Immune System at the Faculty of Medicine of the Free University of Brussels (VUB). I'm also a member of several faculty committees at the VUB, including the educational committee of Biomedical Sciences and the Faculty Board.Specialties: dendritic cells, lentiviruses, mRNA/siRNA, immunotherapy