Research focus
The aim of the Applied Molecular Genomics (AMG) unit is to enhance research of complex diseases through the development, improvement, validation and/or implementation of (bio)technology and bioinformatics tools. Technology is developed both for the identification and validation of genetic variants as well as for its interpretation. We integrate bioinformatics and experimental work in workflows, e.g., for setting up, running, analyzing and validating high throughput genotyping experiments using massive parallel sequencing platforms. Fitting in this workflow, we have recently developed an analysis pipeline for whole genome sequencing data (Genomecomb), but also a tool for ranking and analysis of relations in a large integrated database of biological knowledge, that can be used to prioritize and interpret potential disease causing genes (BioGraph).
Since the underlying molecular genetic causes of complex diseases are not limited to the obvious and most studied coding variants we are developing tools to advance research in non-coding genes and structural variants. Recently, we developed miRNA prediction and validation pipeline allowing high throughput discovery and analysis of novel miRNAs. Additionally, we are developing tools for the discovery, analysis and validation of mechanisms leading to different types of structural variants.
Publications
Resequencing of positional candidates identifies low frequency IL23R coding variants protecting against inflammatory bowel diseaseMomozawa Y, Mni M, Nakamura K, Coppieters W, Almer S, Amininejad L, Cleynen I, Colombel J, De Rijk P, Dewit O, Finkel Y, Gassull M, Goossens D, Laukens D, Lemann M, Libioulle C, O'morain C, Reenaers C, Rutgeerts P, Tysk C, Zelenika D, Lathrop M, Del-Favero J, Hugot J, De Vos M, Franchimont D, Vermeire S, Louis E, Georges MNATURE GENETICS, 43, 43-7, 2011 Optimized filtering reduces the error rate in detecting genomic variants by short-read sequencingReumers J, De Rijk P, Zhao H, Liekens A, Smeets D, Cleary J, Van Loo P, Van Den Bossche M, Catthoor K, Sabbe B, Despierre E, Vergote I, Hilbush B, Lambrechts D, Del-Favero JNATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY, 30, 61-8, 2011 Support for NRG1 as a susceptibility factor for schizophrenia in a northern Swedish isolated populationAlaerts M, Ceulemans S, Forero D, Moens L, De Zutter S, Heyrman L, Lenaerts A, Norrback K, De Rijk P, Nilsson L, Goossens D, Adolfsson R, Del-Favero JARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY, 66, 828-37, 2009 Simultaneous mutation and copy number variation (CNV) detection by multiplex PCR-based GS-FLX sequencingGoossens D, Moens L, Nelis E, Lenaerts A, Glassee W, Kalbe A, Frey B, Kopal G, De Jonghe P, De Rijk P, Del-Favero JHUMAN MUTATION, 30, 472-6, 2009 Gene copy number variation in schizophreniaSutrala S, Goossens D, Williams N, Heyrman L, Adolfsson R, Norton N, Buckland P, Del-Favero JSCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH, 96, 93-9, 2007
News
19/12/2011 - VIB scientists describe in Nature Biotechnology a method that reduces the error rate in detecting genomic variants by short-read sequencing technologies Complete Genomics and Illumina
27/04/2011 - Gimv, Biotechfonds Vlaanderen, VIB and University of Antwerp (UA) together invest EUR 2.0 million in a Series-A funding round of Multiplicom, a Belgian startup focused on molecular diagnostics. 05/12/2008 - New technique enables faster genetic diagnosis for hereditary diseases 15/03/2006 - VIB scientists are lifting a corner of the veil. Their studies indicate that the TPH2 protein is involved in the development of depression and manic depression.
 Jurgen Del-FaveroResearch area(s)Bio Ph.D.: Univ. of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 1995
VIB Group leader since 2003
Associate Professor, Univ. of Antwerp since 2005
Professor, Univ. of Antwerp since 2010Contact Info
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