Expertise

Go to Genomics

Genomics

Genomics is the study of the full genetic complement of an organism (the genome). By using massively parallel sequencing this genome sequence can be accurately and precisely determined. Depending on your setting and interest the whole genome can be sequenced (even starting from a very limited amount of DNA) or specific genes or regions can be targeted.

Go to Epigenomics

Epigenomics

Epigenetics research seeks to describe dynamic alterations in the transcriptional potential of a cell. Changes in the epigenome occur regularly and naturally, but can also be influenced by several factors including age, the environment/lifestyle, and disease state. Epigenomics is believed to be the link between the environment and gene expression. The main epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA-associated gene silencing. NXTGNT has all the tools in house to analyse these epigenetic mechanism in an integrated analysis.

Go to Transcriptomics

Transcriptomics

Transcriptomics (or expression profiling) is the study of the transcriptome – the complete set of RNA transcripts that are produced by specific cells or tissues under specific circumstances. Depending on your interest several different RNA transcripts, messenger RNAs (mRNA), micro RNAs (miRNA), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), etc can be profiled. By using high-throughput methods, such as massively parallel sequencing, one can compare samples’ transcriptomes and identify transcripts (genes) that are differentially expressed between groups of samples.

Go to Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics

With the ever increasing throughput in sequencing technology, data analysis remains a challenge for which high-skilled experts are imperative. NXTGNT can help you if you do not have the necessary in-house expertise or when you want to out-source and speed-up the analysis of your data. We perform, in collaboration with ProGenTomics, data analysis starting from raw sequencing reads (filtering, trimming, mapping of reads), data normalization and statistics, visualization, PCA analysis, Gene-set enrichment analysis, Pathway analysis, etc. Feel free to contact us regarding any question.

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About

NXTGNT
NXTGNT

NXTGNT was founded in 2008 to create a rich and unique substrate for groundbreaking research, development and valorization at Ghent University. The main goal of NXTGNT is the establishment of a reference center for next generation sequencing (NGS), (epi-)genome and transcriptome analysis at Ghent University. NXTGNT establised a unique service platform by the integration of a state-of-the-art NGS library preparation facility with several sequencing platforms and a strong expertise in -omics data-analysis (bioinformatics). NXTGNT's final goal is the establishment of an innovative genome analysis service facility with clear focus on

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NXTGNT is supported by several Ghent University partners from different faculties:

Our Team

Steering Committee

Filip Van Nieuwerburgh

Steering Committee
Filip Van Nieuwerburgh (Prof. Ph.D. Pharm.D.) heads the UGent Next Generation Sequencing core facility NXTGNT, focusing on transcriptomics, (epi)genomics and bioinformatics. He coordinated the initiative to bring together key experts to create the Expertise Centre for Sequencing

Dieter Deforce

Steering Committee
Dieter Deforce (Prof. Ph.D. Pharm.D.) is the head of the Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is the director of ProGenTomics offering proteomics and genomics services.

Wim Van Criekinge

Steering Committee
Wim Van Criekinge (Prof. Ph.D.) heads Biobix, a Computational Genomics & Bioinformatics laboratory at Ghent University. Wim Van Criekinge is CSO of MDxHealth, a listed biotechnology company active in cancer diagnostics.

Daisy Flamez

Steering Committee
Passionate towards innovation in applied biomarker research, business development and contract management, network and partnering with industrial partners, patent portfolio management, facilitation of obtaining (inter)national innovation funds, licensing, and setup of spin-offs.

Sequencing Operational Team

Sarah De Keulenaer

Project coordination. Sample preparation expert. Financial administration.

Sylvie Decraene

Project coordination. Sample preparation expert. Financial administration.

Ellen De Meester

Project coordination. Sample preparation expert. Financial administration.

Bioinformatics Team

Yannick Gansemans

A biologist, a chemist, and a statistician are out hunting. The biologist shoots at a deer and misses five feet to the left. The chemist takes a shot and misses five feet to the right. The statistician yells “We got ’em!”

Laurentijn Tilleman

If you torture data enough it will confess.

Sander Willems

How easy is it to count in binary? It’s as easy as 01 10 11.

BIOBIX

The BIOBIX lab of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics focuses the development of innovative data-analytical methodologies to solve complex biological questions, related to imprinting, CpG mutability, epitranscriptomics, telomere biology, micropeptide biology, cancer, aging studies, neuronal development, crop protection, virus discovery and ecology.