The general goal of the Veterinary Stem Cell Research Unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, is to perform fundamental stem cell research in order to fully understand the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in veterinary medicine. Indeed, there is a marked disparity between the presumptive benefits of stem cell therapy and the actual observed outcome in rigorously controlled scientific studies. Therefore, more fundamental research is mandatory to provide proof of concept for current stem cell-based therapies.
To this end, Prof. dr. Catharina De Schauwer set up a state-of-the-art laboratory focusing on the isolation, characterization, differentiation and cryopreservation of mesenchymal stem cells, isolated from different sources (including bone marrow, adipose tissue, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood and Wharton’s jelly) and in different species (including horse, dog and cow). Currently, the research focusses both on the myogenic differentiation of bovine mesenchymal stem cells as well as the therapeutic potential of equine mesenchymal stem cells in tendon injuries.
Catharina De Schauwer
Head of research group
catharina.deschauwer@ugent.be
Emma Heyman
Assistant
emma.heyman@ugent.be
Marguerite Meeremans
Scientific staff
marguerite.meeremans@ugent.be
Maria Olenic
Scientific staff
maria.olenic@ugent.be
We have ample experience within different species in the isolation, culture and cryopreservation of various cell and tissue types:
We are able to support you when you want to preserve the DNA of your animal, for example for cloning.
If you request further information about the isolation and preservation of cells and/or tissues of animal origin, please contact us.
We are happy to answer any questions you might have.