EXPERTISE
In vitro toxicology
The first research track coordinated by Mathieu Vinken is situated in the field of in vitro toxicology. Focus is put on the elucidation of the mechanisms of liver toxicity, in particular of the cholestatic type, using adverse outcome pathway constructs. This is used as the basis for the development and further optimization of liver-based in vitro models for toxicity testing of chemicals from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and biocide sectors.

Experimental hepatology
The second research track by Mathieu Vinken is situated in the field of experimental hepatology. Focus is put on the testing of pannexins, connexins and their cellular channels as targets and biomarkers in liver disease, in particular acute liver failure, cholestasis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and liver cancer. This is used as the basis for the development and further optimization of novel drugs and diagnostic strategies for the treatment and diagnosis of liver disease.
Patents
Patent number PCT/EP2004/0012134, WO2006/045331, EP1824965 (B1) applying to United Kingdom, Germany and France, US2009/0130064 (A1) “Differentiation of stem cells and stabilization of phenotypical properties of primary cells”.
Inventors: V. Rogiers, T. Vanhaecke, S. Snykers, P. Papeleu, M. Vinken, G. Elaut and T. Henkens; Applicant: Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Patent number PCT/EP2007/055754, WO2007/144341, EP2041272 (B1) applying to United Kingdom, Germany and France, US2010/278782 (A1) “Differentiation of rat liver epithelial cells into hepatocyte-like cells”.
Inventors: V. Rogiers, T. Vanhaecke, S. Snykers, P. Papeleu, M. Vinken, T. Henkens, E. De Rop, J. Fraczek, J. De Kock and T. Doktorova; Applicant: Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
