Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium
With over a decade of expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology, I contribute to advancing the fight against antimicrobial resistance as a Senior Scientist at the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology. My work focuses on developping novel antibacterial molecules inspired by strategies employed by bacteria of the human gut microbiota to secure their ecological niche. This research involves leveraging advanced methodologies in protein engineering and design, in structural analysis as wel as in the study of microbial interactions, with the goal of design novel antibacterial molecules. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, this R&D pipeline aims to support potential therapeutic innovations.
I pursued my own line of research while being hosted by the group of Prof. Collet. My research focused on Bacteroidota species present in the human gut microbiota and more specifically on the biochemical and structural characterization of diverse competition mechanisms they employ to secure their ecological niche.
I have 5-years experience as postdoctoral researcher in Microbiology and Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, a world-leading research centre part of the University of Oxford. My main responsibilities have included; 1) spearheading the biochemical and structural investigation of a novel secretion system unique to Bacteroidota, the Type 9 Secrection System (T9SS). This work uncovered a protein secretion system with a distinctive architecture that operates a novel alternating access mechanism for substrate translocation. 2) Managing and designing research projects for graduate students; co-supervising a PhD student; lab managing; grant writing. 3) Achieving work valorisation via international seminars, research articles, and collaborations. Throughout my postdoc, I 1) Acquired an extensive skill set in molecular biology, biochemistry, protein and membrane protein engineering and purification, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy etc. 2) Developed my leadership and management skills
My overall aim was to investigate lipoprotein trafficking in Gram-negative bacteria of the phylum Bacteroidota. This work led to the discovery and molecular characterization of a unique lipoprotein export signal (LES), allowing Bacteroidota to flip lipoproteins across their cell envelope. This additionally provided the first evidence that this group of organism is endowed with a novel and unique lipoprotein export pathway. Throughout my PhD I; 1) Developed and expanded my knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology and infection biology, and I acquired competency in a broad range of technical skills (e.g. fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, protein engineering, protein purification, radioactive isotope labelling). 2) Developed my ability to efficiently analyse data and identify priority targets, my organizational skills, ability to work autonomously, and communication skills.
During my Master's internship, I investigated the growth of Capnocytophaga canimorsus, an opportunistic human pathogen, in human serum. This work led to the discovery of a new iron acquisition system in Bacteroidota. Specifically, I demonstrated that this novel system is essential for iron acquisition of C. canimorsus when grown in human serum and that each of the seven proteins was indispensable for iron scavenging from the human blood-plasma protein transferrin through a contact-dependent mechanism.