Our center seeks to expand the use of digital PCR by investigating various applications, through collaboration with academic and non-academic end-users and through collaboration with digital PCR instrument providers. We focus on assay design, raw data analysis and subsequent statistical analysis of digital PCR experiments
In 2012 several research groups at Ghent University were among the pioneers in using digital PCR in the field of HIV research, CNV detection, but also in the field of statistical analysis. Since 2015 we have started providing a yearly specialist course on dPCR and in 2017 we decided to start the Ghent University Digital PCR Center, which aims to cluster the expertise on digital PCR from various Ghent University Research groups
Ward heads the dPCR facility at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He works on higher order multiplexing and partition clustering for various dPCR applications, including pathogen detection, mutation analysis and quality control of RNA and DNA by dPCR.
Jo has a long-standing track record in method development for PCR based quantification of nucleic acids. The lab focuses on PCR primer design, the study of pre-analytical variables, and data-analysis. Applications are being developed in the context of oncology and liquid biopsies.
Dr. Linos Vandekerckhove has extensive experience utilizing digital PCR (dPCR) for quantifying nucleic acids in basic and translational HIV research. His work has focused on detecting low-abundance HIV DNA and RNA species, as part of innovative therapeutic strategies targeting persistent HIV infection.
