Andy Wullaert lab

Prof. Dr. Andy Wullaert

Tel: +32 9 33 13 732
Fax: +32 9 221 76 73
Email: andy.wullaert@irc.vib-ugent.be

Research topic

My research team is interested in the mechanisms orchestrating the communication network between the microbial and dietary triggers present in the intestinal lumen on the one hand, and the various types of stromal and immune cells in the intestinal mucosa on the other hand. We are investigating how host responses modulate the composition of the gut ecosystem, and how this in turn affects host health. This way, we aim to understand how alterations in this communication network, such as occurring during gastrointestinal infections, can affect intestinal as well as extra-intestinal immune homeostasis. For this purpose, we use genetic mouse models with defined mutations in the intracellular signalling pathways that regulate host responses to the gut luminal contents.

Areas of expertise

  • In vivo mouse models of human inflammatory and infectious diseases in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Phylogenetic microbiome profiling by Illumina 16S sequencing.
  • In vitro analysis of molecular signaling pathways controlling tissue homeostasis and inflammation in the intestine.

Selected publications

  1. Mamantopoulos et al. Nlrp6- and ASC-dependent inflammasomes do not shape the commensal gut microbiota composition.
    Immunity 2017, 47(2):339-348.
    Highlighted in Science September 15, 2017: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/357/6356/twil
  2. Vlantis, et al. TLR-independent anti-inflammatory function of intestinal epithelial TRAF6 signalling prevents DSS-induced colitis in mice.
    Gut 2016; 65(6):935-43.
  3. Vlantis et al. RIPK1 mediated epithelial cell death causes Paneth cell loss and intestinal inflammation in mice with epithelial NEMO deficiency.
    Immunity 2016; 44(3):553-67.
  4. Welz et al. FADD prevents RIP3-mediated epithelial cell necrosis and chronic intestinal inflammation.
    Nature 2011; 477(7364): 330-4.
  5. Nenci et al. Epithelial NEMO links innate immunity to chronic intestinal inflammation.
    Nature 2007; 446(7135): 557-61.

Partners and sponsors