Publications

Majid S, Smeets K, Vergauwen L, Pilehva A, Knapen D, Blust R. (2025) Insights into the combined toxicity of copper and cadmium in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and adults Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 299,118368

Varas Perez P, Fagot A; Heleven M, Samyn P, Smeets K, Marchal W, Adriaensens P, Vandamme D. (2025) Assessing food by-products macrocomposition by FTIR microspectroscopy Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Research

Monnens M, Artois T, Briscoe A, Diez Garcia Y, Fraser KPP, Leander BS, Littlewood DTJ, Santos MJ, Smeets K, Van Steenkiste NWL, Vanhove M. (2025) Signatures of Endosymbiosis in Mitochondrial Genomes of Rhabdocoel Flatworms Molecular Ecology

Vanbuel I, Verena I, Depaepe T, Heleven M, Jozefczak M, Smeets K, Hernandez LE, Prinsen E, Van Der Straeten D, Hendrix S, Cuypers A. (2025) Cadmium-induced ER stress, autophagy and ethylene biosynthesis in leaves and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and their depencence on stress intensity Plant Stress 18:100996

Ajmeera S, Tejeda I, Nelissen I, Derveaux E, Pancaro A, Adriaensens P, Bronckaers A, Ethirajan A, Smeets K. (2025) Nanosized Glutathione- and Enzyme-Sensitive Carriers Based on Hyaluronic Acid for Hydrophilic Payload Delivery ACS applied nano materials 8: 29:14481-14496

Cruz Laufer A, Vanhove M, Bachmann L, Barson M, Bassirou H, Bitja N, Arnold R, Geraerts M, Hahn C, Huyse T, Kasembele K, Njom S, Resl P, Smeets K, Kmentova N. (2025) Adaptive evolution of stress response genes in parasites aligns with host niche diversity BMC biology 23(1):10

Hautekiet P, Nawrot T, Martens D, Bijnens E, De Keersmaecker SCJ, Van Der Heyden J, De Clercq EM, Saenen N. (2025) Recent and chronic ambient air pollution exposure in association with telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content in the general population Environmental Research, 276, 121525

Mustansa T, Timmermans EJ, Bento Fonseca EAE, Bijnens E, Lefebvre W, Saenen N, Vanpoucke C, Nawrot T, Vaartjes I. (2025) Socioeconomic inequalities and ambient air pollution exposure in school-aged children living in an affluent society: an analysis on individual and aggregated data in Belgium Health and place 93,103473

Bijnens K, Monnens M, Thijs S, Artois T, Smeets K. (2025) Habitat and feeding behaviour influence microbiome composition in Rhabdocoela (‘Turbellaria’) Freshwater biology 70(2):e70003

Bijnens K, Thijs S, Alfano R, McAmmond B, Van Hamme J, Artois T, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Smeets K. (2025) Impact of host physiology and external stressors on the bacterial community of Schmidtea mediterranea Scientific Reports 25(1):4398

Gordillo Perez MJ, Beenaerts N, Sanchez DL, Smeets K, Arias-Sosa YC, Reyes-Tur B (2025) Shell colour luminance of Cuban painted snails, Polymita picta and Polymita muscarium (Gastropoda: Cepolidae) Plos One 20(1):e0314008

Durkin AM, Runyo Z, Boucher JM, Boyles MS, van Boxel J, Bustamante M, Christopher EA, Dadvand P, Dusza HM, van Duursen M, Forsberg MM, Galea KS, Legler J, Mandemaker LD, Meirer F, Muncke J, Nawrot TS, Pribylova P, Robuck AR, Saenen ND, Scholz-Böttcher BM, Shao K, Vrijheid M, Walker DI, Zimmerman L, Zoutendijk LM, Lenters V, Vermeulen R (2024) Investigating exposure and hazard of micro- and nanoplastics during pregnancy and early life (AURORA project): protocol for an interdisciplinary study JMIR Res Protoc 13:e63176

Leynen N, Tytgat JS, Bijnens K, Jaenen V, Verleysen E, Artois T, Van Belleghem F, Saenen ND, Smeets K. (2024) Assessing the in vivo toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in Schmidtea mediterranea: uptake pathways and (neuro)developmental outcomes Aquatic Toxicology 270:106895

Jaenen V, Bijnens K, Heleven M, Artois T, Smeets K. (2023) Live Imaging in Planarians: Immobilization and Real-Time Visualization of Reactive Oxygen Species. Methods Molecular Biology 2680:209-229.

Saenen ND, Witters MS, Hantoro I, Tejeda I, Ethirajan A, Van Belleghem F, Smeets K. (2023) Polystyrene Microplastics of Varying Sizes and Shapes Induce Distinct Redox and Mitochondrial Stress Responses in a Caco-2 Monolayer. Antioxidants 17;12(3):739.

Collins A, Møller P, Gajski G, Vodenková S, Abdulwahed A, Anderson D, Bankoglu EE, Bonassi S, Boutet-Robinet E, Brunborg G, Chao C, Cooke MS, Costa C, Costa S, Dhawan A, de Lapuente J, Bo’ CD, Dubus J, Dusinska M, Duthie SJ, Yamani NE, Engelward B, Gaivão I, Giovannelli L, Godschalk R, Guilherme S, Gutzkow KB, Habas K, Hernández A, Herrero O, Isidori M, Jha AN, Knasmüller S, Kooter IM, Koppen G, Kruszewski M, Ladeira C, Laffon B, Larramendy M, Hégarat LL, Lewies A, Lewinska A, Liwszyc GE, de Cerain AL, Manjanatha M, Marcos R, Milić M, de Andrade VM, Moretti M, Muruzabal D, Novak M, Oliveira R, Olsen AK, Owiti N, Pacheco M, Pandey AK, Pfuhler S, Pourrut B, Reisinger K, Rojas E, Rundén-Pran E, Sanz-Serrano J, Shaposhnikov S, Sipinen V, Smeets K, Stopper H, Teixeira JP, Valdiglesias V, Valverde M, van Acker F, van Schooten FJ, Vasquez M, Wentzel JF, Wnuk M, Wouters A, Žegura B, Zikmund T, Langie SAS, Azqueta A. (2023) Measuring DNA modifications with the comet assay: a compendium of protocols. Nat Protoc. 18(3):929-989

Cosemans C., Wang C., Martens D.S., Janssen B.G., Vanpoucke C., Lefebvre W., Smeets K., Nawrot T.S., Plusquin M. (2023) In Utero Exposure to Air Pollutants and Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Neonates. Environ Sci Technol. 10;57(1):350-359

Saenen N, Nawrot T, Hautekiet P, Wang C, Roels H, Dadvand P, Plusquin M, Bijnens E. (2023) Residential green space improves cognitive performances in primary schoolchildren independent of traffic-related air pollution exposure Environmental Health 22(1)33

Cosemans C., Wang C., Alfano R., Martens D.S., Sleurs H., Dockx Y., Vanbrabant K., Janssen B.G., Vanpoucke C., Lefebvre W., Smeets K., Nawrot T.S., Plusquin M. (2022) In utero particulate matter exposure in association with newborn mitochondrial ND4L10550A>G heteroplasmy and its role in overweight during early childhood. Environ Health. 19;21(1):88.

Cruz-Laufer A.J., Artois T., Koblmüller S., Pariselle A., Smeets K., Van Steenberge M., Vanhove M.P.M. (2022). Explosive networking: The role of adaptive host radiations and ecological opportunity in a species-rich host-parasite assembly. Ecol Lett. 25(8):1795-1812.

Kmentová N., Cruz-Laufer A.J., Pariselle A., Smeets K., Artois T., Vanhove M.P.M. (2022) Dactylogyridae 2022: a meta-analysis of phylogenetic studies and generic diagnoses of parasitic flatworms using published genetic and morphological data. Int J Parasitol.

Majid S., Van Belleghem F., Ploem J.P., Wouters A., Blust R., Smeets K. (2022) Interactive toxicity of copper and cadmium in regenerating and adult planarians. Chemosphere. 31:133819.

Hautekiet P, Saenen N, Aerts R, Martens D, Roels H, Bijnens E, Nawrot T. (2022) Higher buccal mtDNA content is associated with residential surrounding green in a panel study of primary school children Environmental Research 213:113551

Hautekiet, Pauline; Saenen, Nelly; Martens, Dries; Debay, Margot; Van Der Heyden, Johan; Nawrot, Tim; De Clercq, Eva M. (2022) A healthy lifestyle is positively associated with mental health and well-being and core markers in ageing Bmc Medicine 20(1)328

Daniels, Silvie; Clemente Batalha Pardal, Diana; Desart, Steffie; Saenen, Nelly; Sleurs, Hanne; Nawrot, Tim; Malina, Robert; Plusquin, Michelle (2022) Introducing nature at the work floor: A nature-based intervention to reduce stress and improve cognitive performance International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 240,113884

Dockx, Yinthe; Bijnens, Esmee; Aerts, Jm; Aerts, Raf; Saenen, Nelly; Casas, L; Delcloo, A; Dendoncker, N; Linard, C; Stas, M; Van Nieuwenhuyse, A; Van Orshoven, J; Somers, Ben; Plusquin, Michelle; Nawrot, Tim (2022) Residential green space in association with the methylation status in a CpG site within the promoter region of the placental serotonin receptor HTR2A Epigenetics 17(13)1863-1874

Nauwelaerts, Sarah J. D.; Van Goethem, Nina; Urena, Berta Tenas; De Cremer, Koen; Bernard, Alfred; Saenen, Nelly; Nawrot, Tim; Roosens, Nancy H. C.; De Keersmaecker, Sigrid C. J. (2022) Urinary CC16, a potential indicator of lung integrity and inflammation, increases in children after short-term exposure to PM2.5/PM10 and is driven by the CC16 38GG genotype Environmental Research 212(B)113272

Nauwelaerts, Sarah J. D.; De Cremer, Koen; Bustos Sierra, Natalia; Gand, Mathieu; Van Geel, Dirk; Delvoye, Maud; Vandermassen, Els; Vercauteren, Jordy; Stroobants, Christophe; Bernard, Alfred; Saenen, Nelly; Nawrot, Tim; Roosens, Nancy H. C.; De Keersmaecker, Sigrid C. J. (2022) Assessment of the Feasibility of a Future Integrated Larger-Scale Epidemiological Study to Evaluate Health Risks of Air Pollution Episodes in Children International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(14)8531

Pelgrims I, Devleesschauwer B, Keune H, Nawrot T, Remmen R, Saenen N, Thomas I, Gorasso V, Van Der Heyden J, Clercq E. (2022) Validity of self-reported air pollution annoyance to assess long-term exposure to air pollutants in Belgium Environmental Research 210:113014

Hautekiet P, Saenen N, Demarest S, Keune H, Pelgrims I, Van Der Heyden J, De Clercq EM, Nawrot T. (2022) Air pollution in association with mental and self-rated health and the mediating effect of physical activity Environmental Health, 21(1)29

Cosemans C., Van Larebeke N., Janssen B.G., Martens D.S., Baeyens W., Bruckers L., Den Hond E., Coertjens D., Nelen V., Schoeters G., Hoppe H.W., Wolfs E., Smeets K., Nawrot T.S., Plusquin M. (2021) Glyphosate and AMPA exposure in relation to markers of biological aging in an adult population-based study. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 240:113895.

Bijnens K., Jaenen V., Wouters A., Leynen N., Pirotte N., Artois T., Smeets K. (2021) A spatiotemporal characterisation of redox molecules in planarians, with a focus on the role of glutathione during regeneration. Biomolecules, 11.

Diez Y. L., Monnens M., Aguirre R. I., Yurduseven R., Jouk P., Van Steenkiste N. W. L., Leander B. S., Schockaert E., Reygel P., Smeets K., Artois T. (2021) Taxonomy and phylogeny of Koinocystididae (Platyhelminthes, Kalyptorhynchia), with the description of three new genera and twelve new species. Zootaxa, 4948, 451–500.

Jaenen V., Fraguas S., Bijnens K., Heleven M., Artois T., Romero R., Smeets K., Cebrià F. (2021) Reactive oxygen species rescue regeneration after silencing the MAPK–ERK signaling pathway in Schmidtea mediterranea. Scientific Reports, 11, 881.

Provost, E., Nawrot, T., Int Panis, L., Standaert, A., Saenen, N., & De Boever, P. (2021). Denser Retinal Microvascular Network Is Inversely Associated With Behavioral Outcomes and Sustained Attention in Children. Frontiers in Neurology, 12, Article 547033. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2021.547033

Bongaerts, E., Bove, H., Lambrichts, I., Saenen, N., Gyselaers, W., Plusquin, M., Roeffaers, M., Ameloot, M., & Nawrot, T. (2021). Reply to ‘Fetal side’ of the placenta: Anatomical mis-annotation of carbon particle ‘transfer’ across the human placenta. Nature Communications, 12(1), Article 7050. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26438-x

Hogervorst, J., Saenen, N., & Nawrot, T. (2021). Gestational acrylamide exposure and biomarkers of fetal growth: Probing the mechanism underlying the association between acrylamide and reduced fetal growth. Environment International, 155, Article 106668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106668

Yu, Y., Thijs, L., Saenen, N., Melgarejo, J., Wei, D., Yang, W., Yu, C., Maestre, G., Nawrot, T., Roels, H., Staessen, J., & Zhang, Z. (2021). Two-year neurocognitive responses to first occupational lead exposure. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 47(3), 233-243. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3940

Pelgrims, I., Devleesschauwer, B., Guyot, M., Keune, H., Nawrot, T., Remmen, R., Trabelsi, S., Thomas, I., Aerts, R., De Clercq, E., & Saenen, N. (2021). Association between urban environment and mental health in Brussels, Belgium. BMC Public Health, 21(1), Article 635. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10557-7

Hautekiet, P., Nawrot, T., Janssen, B., Martens, D., De Clercq, E., Dadvand, P., Plusquin, M., Bijnens, E., & Saenen, N. (2021). Child buccal telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content as biomolecular markers of ageing in association with air pollution. Environment International, 147, Article 106332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106332

Bijnens K., Thijs S., Leynen N., Stevens V., McAmmond B., Van Hamme J., Vangronsveld J., Artois T., Smeets K. (2020) Differential effect of silver nanoparticles on the microbiome of adult and developing planaria. Aquatic toxicology.

Evens R., Conway G., Franklin K., Henderson I., Stockdale J., Beenaerts N., Smeets K., Neyens T., Ulenaers E., Artois T.(2020) DNA diet profiles with high resolution animal tracking data reveal levels of prey selection relative to habitat choice in a crepuscular insectivorous bird. Ecology and Evolution.

Cruz-Laufer A., Artois T., Smeets K., Pariselle A., Vanhove M.P.M. (2020) The cichlid-Cichlidogyrus network: A blueprint for a model system of parasite evolution. Hydrobiologia.

De Vos S., Wageneers N., Verleysen E., Smeets K., Mast J. (2020) Physicochemical characterisation of the fraction of silver (nano)particles in pristine food additive E174 and in E174-containing confectionery. Food additives and contaminants.

Monnens M., Thijs S., Brscoe A.G., Clarck M., Frost E.J., Littlewood T.J., Sewell M., Smeets K., Artois T., Vanhove M. (2020) The first mitochondrial genomes of endosymbiotic rhabdocoels illustrate evolutionary relaxation of atp8 and genome plasticity in flatworms. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 162, 454-469.

Wouters A., Ploem J.P., Langie S., Artois T., Aboobaker A., Smeets K. (2020) Regenerative responses following DNA damage – β-catenin mediates head regrowth in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Journal of Cell Science, 133, jcs237545. PMID: 32107291.

Cosemans C., Nawrot T.S., Janssen B., Vriens A., Smeets K., Baeyens W., Bruckers L., Den Honds E., Loots I., Nelen V., Van Larebeke N., Schoeters G., Martens D., Plusquin M. (2020). Breastfeeding predicts blood mitochondrial DNA content in adolescents. Scientific Reports, article number 387. PMCID: PMC6962168.

Aerts, R., Stas, M., Vanlessen, N., Hendrickx, M., Bruffaerts, N., Hoebeke, L., Dendoncker, N., Dujardin, S., Saenen, N., Van Nieuwenhuyse, A., Aerts, J., Van Orshoven, J., Nawrot, T., & Somers, B. (2020). Residential green space and seasonal distress in a cohort of tree pollen allergy patients. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 223(1), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.10.004

Hautekiet, P., Nawrot, T., Demarest, S., Van Der Heyden, J., Van Overmeire, I., De Clercq, E., & Saenen, N. (2020). Environmental exposures and health behavior in association with mental health: a study design. Archives of public health, 78(1), Article 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-020-00477-0

Jaenen V., Fraguas S., Bijnens K., Vaca M., Artois T., Romero R., Smeets K., Cebria F. (2019). Hydrogen peroxide as a regeneration-initiation signal that activates pERK to trigger planarian regeneration? bioRxiv 712356; doi: 10.1101/712356

Leynen N, Van Bellegem F, Wouters A, Bove H, Ploem JP, Thijssen E, Langie SAS, Carleer R, Ameloot M, Artois T, Smeets K. In vivo Toxicity Assessment of Silver Nanoparticles in Homeostatic versus Regenerating Planarians. Nanotoxicology. 2019 Feb 14:1-16. doi: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1553252. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30760077.

Hogervorst, J., Madhloum, N., Saenen, N., Janssen, B., Penders, J., Vanpoucke, C., De Vivo, I., Vrijens, K., & Nawrot, T. (2019). Prenatal particulate air pollution exposure and cord blood homocysteine in newborns: Results from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. Environmental Research, 168, 507-513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.08.032

Reimann, B., Janssen, B., Alfano, R., Ghantous, A., Espin-Perez, A., De Koko, T., Saenen, N., Cox, B., Robinson, O., Chadeau-Hyam, M., Penders, J., Herceg, Z., Vineis, P., Nawrot, T., & Plusquin, M. (2019). The Cord Blood Insulin and Mitochondrial DNA Content Related Methylome. Frontiers in Genetics, 10, Article 325. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2019.00325

Saenen, N., Provost, E., Cuypers, A., Kicinski, M., Pieters, N., Plusquin, M., Vrijens, K., De Boever, P., & Nawrot, T. (2019). Child’s buccal cell mitochondrial DNA content modifies the association between heart rate variability and recent air pollution exposure at school. Environment international, 123, 39-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.11.028

Bove, H., Bongaerts, E., Slenders, E., Bijnens, E., Saenen, N., Gyselaers, W., Van Eyken, P., Plusquin, M., Roeffaers, M., Ameloot, M., & Nawrot, T. (2019). Ambient black carbon particles reach the fetal side of human placenta. Nature Communications, 10, Article 3866. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11654-3

Saenen, N., Martens, D., Neven, K., Alfano, R., Bove, H., Janssen, B., Roels, H., Plusquin, M., Vrijens, K., & Nawrot, T. (2019). Air Pollution-Induced Placental Alterations: An Interplay of Oxidative Stress, Epigenetics, and the Aging Phenotype? Clinical epigenetics, 11(1), Article 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-019-0688-z

Yu, C., Yang, W., Saenen, N., Wei, F., Zhang, Z., Mujaj, B., Thijs, L., Feng, Y., Nawrot, T., & Staessen, J. (2019). Neurocognitive function in relation to blood lead among young men prior to chronic occupational exposure. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 45(3), 298-307. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3798

Van Roten A, Barakat AZA, Wouters A, Tran TA, Mouton S, Noben JP, Gentile L, Smeets K. A carcinogenic trigger to study the function of tumor suppressor genes in Schmidtea mediterranea. Dis Model Mech. 2018 Aug 16;11(9). pii: dmm032573. doi: 10.1242/dmm.032573. PubMed PMID: 29967069; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6176991.

Stevens AS, Wouters A, Ploem JP, Pirotte N, Van Roten A, Willems M, Hellings N, Franken C, Koppen G, Artois T, Plusquin M, Smeets K. Planarians Customize Their Stem Cell Responses Following Genotoxic Stress as a Function of Exposure Time and Regenerative State. Toxicol Sci. 2018 Mar 1;162(1):251-263. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfx247. PubMed PMID: 29145667.

Evens R, Beenaerts N, Neyens T, Witters N, Smeets K, Artois T. Proximity of breeding and foraging areas affects foraging effort of a crepuscular, insectivorous bird. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 14;8(1):3008. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21321-0. Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 20;8(1):9671. PubMed PMID: 29445120; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5813100.

Neven, K., Saenen, N., Tarantini, L., Janssen, B., Lefebvre, W., Vanpoucke, C., Bollati, V., & Nawrot, T. (2018). Placental promoter methylation of DNA repair genes and prenatal exposure to particulate air pollution: an ENVIRONAGE cohort study. The Lancet. Planetary Health, 2(4), e174-e183. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(18)30049-4

Vriens, A., Provost, E., Saenen, N., De Boever, P., Vrijens, K., De Wever, O., Plusquin, M., & Nawrot, T. (2018). Children’s screen time alters the expression of saliva extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a. Scientific Reports (nature Publishing Group), 8(1), Article 8209. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26351-2

Nawrot, T., Saenen, N., Schenk, J., Janssen, B., Motta, V., Tarantini, L., Cox, B., Lefebvre, W., Vanpoucke, C., Maggioni, C., & Bollati, V. (2018). Placental circadian pathway methylation and in utero exposure to fine particle air pollution. Environment International, 114, 231-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.034

Nkulu, C., Casas Ruiz, L., Haufroid, V., De Putter, T., Saenen, N., Kayembe-Kitenge, T., Obadia, P., Mukoma, D., Ilunga, J., Nawrot, T., Numbi, O., Smolders, E., & Nemery, B. (2018). Sustainability of artisanal mining of cobalt in DR Congo. Nature Sustainability, 1(9), 495-504. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-018-0139-4

Luyten, L., Saenen, N., Janssen, B., Vrijens, K., Plusquin, M., Roels, H., Debacq-Chainiaux, F., & Nawrot, T. (2018). Air pollution and the fetal origin of disease: A systematic review of the molecular signatures of air pollution exposure in human placenta. Environmental Research (new York, N.y. Print), 166, 310-323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.03.025

Stevens AS, Willems M, Plusquin M, Ploem JP, Winckelmans E, Artois T, Smeets K. Stem cell proliferation patterns as an alternative for in vivo prediction and discrimination of carcinogenic compounds. Sci Rep. 2017 May 3;7:45616. doi: 10.1038/srep45616. PubMed PMID: 28466856; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5413882.

Kole PJ, Löhr AJ, Van Belleghem F, Ragas A (2017). Wear and tear of tyres: a stealthy source of microplastics in the environment. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(10), 1265.

Löhr A, Savelli H, Beunen R, Kalz M, Ragas A, Van Belleghem F (2017). Solutions for global marine litter pollution. Current opinion in environmental sustainability, 28, 90-99.

Winckelmans, E., Vrijens, K., Tsamou, M., Janssen, B., Saenen, N., Roels, H., Kleinjans, J., Lefebvre, W., Vanpoucke, C., De Kok, T., & Nawrot, T. (2017). Newborn sex-specific transcriptome signatures and gestational exposure to fine particles: findings from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort. Environmental Health (london. 2002. Online), 16, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-017-0264-y

Janssen, B., Madhloum, N., Gyselaers, W., Bijnens, E., Clemente Batalha Pardal, D., Cox, B., Hogervorst, J., Luyten, L., Martens, D., Peusens, M., Plusquin, M., Provost, E., Roels, H., Saenen, N., Tsamou, M., Vriens, A., Winckelmans, E., Vrijens, K., & Nawrot, T. (2017). Cohort Profile: The ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing (ENVIRONAGE): a birth cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology, 46(5), 1386-1390. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw269

Provost, E., Int Panis, L., Saenen, N., Kicinski, M., Louwies, T., Vrijens, K., De Boever, P., & Nawrot, T. (2017). Recent versus chronic fine particulate air pollution exposure as determinant of the retinal microvasculature in school children. Environmental Research (new York, N.y. Print), 159, 103-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.07.027

Saenen, N., Bove, H., Steuwe, C., Roeffaers, M., Provost, E., Lefebvre, W., Vanpoucke, C., Ameloot, M., & Nawrot, T. (2017). Children’s Urinary Environmental Carbon Load:A Novel Marker Reflecting Residential Ambient Air Pollution Exposure? American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 196(7), 873-881. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201704-0797OC

Madhloum, N., Janssen, B., Martens, D., Saenen, N., Bijnens, E., Gyselaers, W., Penders, J., Vanpoucke, C., Lefebvre, W., Plusquin, M., & Nawrot, T. (2017). Cord plasma insulin and in utero exposure to ambient air pollution. Environment International, 105, 126-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.012

Plusquin M, De Mulder K, Van Belleghem F, DeGheselle O, Pirotte N, Willems M, Cuypers A, Salvenmoser W, Ladurner P, Artois T, Smeets K. Toxic effects of cadmium on flatworm stem cell dynamics: A transcriptomic and ultrastructural elucidation of underlying mechanisms. Environ Toxicol. 2016 Oct;31(10):1217-28. doi: 10.1002/tox.22129. Epub 2015 Apr 6. PubMed PMID: 25846626.

Pieters N, Janssen BG, Dewitte H, Cox B, Cuypers A, Lefebvre W, Smeets K, Vanpoucke C, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS. Biomolecular Markers within the Core Axis of Aging and Particulate Air Pollution Exposure in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study. Environ Health Perspect. 2016 Jul;124(7):943-50. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1509728. Epub 2015 Dec 15. PubMed PMID: 26672058; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4937852.

Stevens AS, Pirotte N, Wouters A, Van Roten A, Van Belleghem F, Willems M, Cuypers A, Artois T, Smeets K. Redox-Related Mechanisms to Rebalance Cancer-Deregulated Cell Growth. Curr Drug Targets. 2016;17(12):1414-37. Review. PubMed PMID: 25944012.

Van Belleghem F, Van Roten A, Artois T, Smeets K (2016) Studying the mechanisms of Cd-induced stem cell proliferation and their role in tumor avoidance in Schmidtea mediterranea. Toxicology letters 258, S252

Stevens AS, Willems M, Plusquin M, Ploem JP, Artois T, Smeets K (2016) In vivo prediction and discrimination of carcinogenic compounds using Schmidtea mediterranea‘s stem cell proliferation patterns. Toxicology letters 258, S65

Patent granted: Methods to defect carcinogens using flatworms WO 2016/146620 /EP15159158.3 A1 – Karen Smeets, An-Sofie Stevens, Michelle Plusquin, Tom Artois, Maxime Willems, Jean Paul Remon- filing date 15/03/2016

Pirotte N, Leynen N, Artois T, Smeets K. Do you have the nerves to regenerate? The importance of neural signalling in the regeneration process. Dev Biol. 2016 Jan 1;409(1):4-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.09.025. Epub 2015 Nov 14. Review. PubMed PMID: 26586202.

Vriens, A., Nawrot, T., Saenen, N., Provost, E., Kicinski, M., Lefebvre, W., Vanpoucke, C., Van Deun, J., De Wever, O., Vrijens, K., De Boever, P., & Plusquin, M. (2016). Recent exposure to ultrafine particles in school children alters miR-222 expression in the extracellular fraction of saliva. Environmental Health (london. 2002. Online), 15, Article 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-016-0162-8

Janssen, B., Saenen, N., Roels, H., Madhloum, N., Gyselaers, W., Lefebvre, W., Penders, J., Vanpoucke, C., Vrijens, K., & Nawrot, T. (2016). Fetal Thyroid Function, Birth Weight, and in Utero Exposure to Fine Particle Air Pollution: A Birth Cohort Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(4), 699-705. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP508

Saenen, N., Provost, E., Viaene, M., Vanpoucke, C., Lefebvre, W., Vrijens, K., Roels, H., & Nawrot, T. (2016). Recent versus chronic exposure to particulate matter air pollution in association with neurobehavioral performance in a panel study of primary schoolchildren. Environment International, 95, 112-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.07.014

Kicinski, M., Saenen, N., Viaene, M., Den Hond, E., Schoeters, G., Plusquin, M., Nelen, V., Bruckers, L., Sioen, I., Loots, I., Baeyens, W., Roels, H., & Nawrot, T. (2016). Urinary t,t-muconic acid as a proxy-biomarker of car exhaust and neurobehavioral performance in 15-year olds. Environmental Research (new York, N.y. Print), 151, 521-527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2016.06.035

Saenen, N., Vrijens, K., Janssen, B., Madhloum, N., Peusens, M., Gyselaers, W., Lefebvre, W., Roels, H., & Nawrot, T. (2016). Placental nitrosative stress and exposure to ambient air pollution during gestation: a populations study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 184(6), 442-449. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kww007

Nair AR, Lee WK, Smeets K, Swennen Q, Sanchez A, Thévenod F, Cuypers A. Glutathione and mitochondria determine acute defense responses and adaptive processes in cadmium-induced oxidative stress and toxicity of the kidney. Arch Toxicol. 2015 Dec;89(12):2273-89. doi: 10.1007/s00204-014-1401-9. Epub 2014 Nov 12. PubMed PMID: 25388156.

Stevens AS, Pirotte N, Plusquin M, Willems M, Neyens T, Artois T, Smeets K. Toxicity profiles and solvent-toxicant interference in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea after dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) exposure. J Appl Toxicol. 2015 Mar;35(3):319-26. doi: 10.1002/jat.3011. Epub 2014 Jun 25. PubMed PMID: 24964768.

Pieters N, Janssen BG, Valeri L, Cox B, Cuypers A, Dewitte H, Plusquin M, Smeets K, Nawrot TS. Molecular responses in the telomere-mitochondrial axis of ageing in the elderly: a candidate gene approach. Mech Ageing Dev. 2015 Jan;145:51-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2015.02.003. Epub 2015 Feb 28. PubMed PMID: 25736869.

Pirotte N, Stevens AS, Fraguas S, Plusquin M, Van Roten A, Van Belleghem F, Paesen R, Ameloot M, Cebrià F, Artois T, Smeets K. Reactive Oxygen Species in Planarian Regeneration: An Upstream Necessity for Correct Patterning and Brain Formation. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:392476. doi: 10.1155/2015/392476. Epub 2015 Jun 9. PubMed PMID: 26180588; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4477255.

Willems M, Stevens AS, Adriaens E, Plusquin M, Smeets K, Van Goethem F, Vanparys P, Janssen C, Remon JP (2015) An adult proliferation assay in the flatworm model Macrostomum lignano to predict the carcinogenicity of compounds. Applied In vitro Toxicology, 1(3), 213-219.

Nair AR*, Smeets K*, Keunen E, Lee W-K, Thévenod F, Van Kerkhove E, Cuypers A (2015) Renal cells exposed to cadmium in vitro and in vivo: normalizing gene expression data. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 35 (5), 478-484.

Saenen, N., Vrijens, K., Janssen, B., Roels, H., Neven, K., Vanden Berghe, W., Gyselaers, W., Vanpoucke, C., Lefebvre, W., De Boever, P., & Nawrot, T. (2015). Lower Placental Leptin Promoter Methylation in Association with Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution during Pregnancy and Placental Nitrosative Stress at Birth in the ENVIRONAGE Cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives.

Saenen, N., Plusquin, M., Bijnens, E., Janssen, B., Gyselaers, W., Cox, B., Fierens, F., Molenberghs, G., Penders, J., Vrijens, K., De Boever, P., & Nawrot, T. (2015). In Utero Fine Particle Air Pollution and Placental Expression of Genes in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling Pathway: An ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(8), 834-840. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408549

Remans T, Keunen E, Bex GJ, Smeets K, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Reliable gene expression analysis by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR: reporting and minimizing the uncertainty in data accuracy. Plant Cell. 2014 Oct;26(10):3829-37. doi: 10.1105/tpc.114.130641. Epub 2014 Oct 31. PubMed PMID: 25361954; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4247583.

Bustin SA, Benes V, Garson J, Hellemans J, Huggett J, Kubista M, Mueller R, Nolan T, Pfaffl MW, Shipley G, Wittwer CT, Schjerling P, Day PJ, Abreu M, Aguado B, Beaulieu JF, Beckers A, Bogaert S, Browne JA, Carrasco-Ramiro F, Ceelen L, Ciborowski K, Cornillie P, Coulon S, Cuypers A, De Brouwer S, De Ceuninck L, De Craene J, De Naeyer H, De Spiegelaere W, Deckers K, Dheedene A, Durinck K, Ferreira-Teixeira M, Fieuw A, Gallup JM, Gonzalo-Flores S, Goossens K, Heindryckx F, Herring E, Hoenicka H, Icardi L, Jaggi R, Javad F, Karampelias M, Kibenge F, Kibenge M, Kumps C, Lambertz I, Lammens T, Markey A, Messiaen P, Mets E, Morais S, Mudarra-Rubio A, Nakiwala J, Nelis H, Olsvik PA, Pérez-Novo C, Plusquin M, Remans T, Rihani A, Rodrigues-Santos P, Rondou P, Sanders R, Schmidt-Bleek K, Skovgaard K, Smeets K, Tabera L, Toegel S, Van Acker T, Van den Broeck W, Van der Meulen J, Van Gele M, Van Peer G, Van Poucke M, Van Roy N, Vergult S, Wauman J, Tshuikina-Wiklander M, Willems E, Zaccara S, Zeka F, Vandesompele J. The need for transparency and good practices in the qPCR literature. Nat Methods. 2013 Nov;10(11):1063-7. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2697. PubMed PMID: 24173381.

Smeets K, Opdenakker K, Remans T, Forzani C, Hirt H, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. The role of the kinase OXI1 in cadmium- and copper-induced molecular responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell Environ. 2013 Jun;36(6):1228-38. doi: 10.1111/pce.12056. Epub 2013 Jan 30. PubMed PMID: 23278806.

Pieters N, Koppen G, Smeets K, Napierska D, Plusquin M, De Prins S, Van De Weghe H, Nelen V, Cox B, Cuypers A, Hoet P, Schoeters G, Nawrot TS. Decreased mitochondrial DNA content in association with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in house dust during wintertime: from a population enquiry to cell culture. PLoS One. 2013 May 3;8(5):e63208. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063208. Print 2013. PubMed PMID: 23658810; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3643917.

Nair AR*, Degheselle O*, Smeets K*, Van Kerkhove E, Cuypers A. Cadmium-Induced Pathologies: Where Is the Oxidative Balance Lost (or Not)? Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Mar 18;14(3):6116-43. doi: 10.3390/ijms14036116. PubMed PMID: 23507750; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3634456.

Bijnens, E., Pieters, N., Dewitte, H., Cox, B., Janssen, B., Saenen, N., Dons, E., Zeegers, M., Int Panis, L., & Nawrot, T. (2013). Host and environmental predictors of exhaled breath temperature in the elderly. Bmc Public Health, 13, Article 1226. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1226

Janssen BG, Munters E, Pieters N, Smeets K, Cox B, Cuypers A, Fierens F, Penders J, Vangronsveld J, Gyselaers W, Nawrot TS. Placental mitochondrial DNA content and particulate air pollution during in utero life. Environ Health Perspect. 2012 Sep;120(9):1346-52. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1104458. Epub 2012 May 24. PubMed PMID: 22626541; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3440109.

Plusquin M, DeGheselle O, Cuypers A, Geerdens E, Van Roten A, Artois T, Smeets K. Reference genes for qPCR assays in toxic metal and salinity stress in two flatworm model organisms. Ecotoxicology. 2012 Mar;21(2):475-84. doi: 10.1007/s10646-011-0809-8. Epub 2011 Nov 12. PubMed PMID: 22080432.

Plusquin M, Stevens AS, Van Belleghem F, Degheselle O, Van Roten A, Vroonen J, Blust R, Cuypers A, Artois T, Smeets K. Physiological and molecular characterisation of cadmium stress in Schmidtea mediterranea. Int J Dev Biol. 2012;56(1-3):183-91. doi: 10.1387/ijdb.113485mp. PubMed PMID: 22451006.

Weyens N, Boulet J, Adriaensen D, Timmermans JP, Prinsen E, Van Oevelen S, D’Haen J, Smeets K, van er Lelie D, Taghavi S, Vangronsveld J (2012) Contrasting colonization and plant growth promoting capacity between wild type and a gfp-derivate of the endophyte Pseudomonas putida W619 in hybrid poplar. Plant and Soil 356 (1-2), 217-230.

Cuypers A, Remans T, Vangronsveld J, Smeets K (2012) Cadmium and oxidative stress. In: Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins (Eds. R.H. Kretsinger, E.A. Permyakov, V.M. Uversky).

Nawrot TS, Staessen JA, Roels H, Cuypers A, Smeets K, Vangronsveld J (2012) Health risks from cadmium. In: Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins (Eds. R.H. Kretsinger, E.A. Permyakov, V.M. Uversky).

Nelissen K, Mulder M, Smets I, Timmermans S, Smeets K, Ameloot M, Hendriks JJ. Liver X receptors regulate cholesterol homeostasis in oligodendrocytes. J Neurosci Res. 2012 Jan;90(1):60-71. doi: 10.1002/jnr.22743. Epub 2011 Oct 3. PubMed PMID: 21972082.

Vanhoudt N, Cuypers A, Horemans N, Remans T, Opdenakker K, Smeets K, Bello DM, Havaux M, Wannijn J, Van Hees M, Vangronsveld J, Vandenhove H. Unraveling uranium induced oxidative stress related responses in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Part II: responses in the leaves and general conclusions. J Environ Radioact. 2011 Jun;102(6):638-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.03.013. Epub 2011 Apr 15. PubMed PMID: 21497426.

Vanhoudt N, Vandenhove H, Horemans N, Remans T, Opdenakker K, Smeets K, Bello DM, Wannijn J, Van Hees M, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Unraveling uranium induced oxidative stress related responses in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Part I: responses in the roots. J Environ Radioact. 2011 Jun;102(6):630-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.03.015. Epub 2011 Apr 13. PubMed PMID: 21492976.

Cuypers A*, Smeets K*, Ruytinx J, Opdenakker K, Keunen E, Remans T, Horemans N, Vanhoudt N, Van Sanden S, Van Belleghem F, Guisez Y, Colpaert J, Vangronsveld J. The cellular redox state as a modulator in cadmium and copper responses in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. J Plant Physiol. 2011 Mar 1;168(4):309-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2010.07.010. Epub 2010 Sep 15. PubMed PMID: 20828869.

Ruttens A, Boulet J, Weyens N, Smeets K, Adriaensen K, Meers E, Van Slycken S, Tack F, Meiresonne L, Thewys T, Witters N, Carleer R, Dupae J, Vangronsveld J. Short rotation coppice culture of willows and poplars as energy crops on metal contaminated agricultural soils. Int J Phytoremediation. 2011;13 Suppl 1:194-207. PubMed PMID: 22046760.

Hendricks J, Nelissen K, Mulder M, Smets I, Timmermans S, Smeets K, Ameloot M (2011) Liver receptors regulate cholesterol homeostasis. Glia 59 (1) S54-S54.

Nawrot TS, Staessen JA, Roels HA, Munters E, Cuypers A, Richart T, Ruttens A, Smeets K, Clijsters H, Vangronsveld J. Cadmium exposure in the population: from health risks to strategies of prevention. Biometals. 2010 Oct;23(5):769-82. doi: 10.1007/s10534-010-9343-z. Epub 2010 Jun 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 20517707.

Cuypers A, Plusquin M, Remans T, Jozefczak M, Keunen E, Gielen H, Opdenakker K, Nair AR, Munters E, Artois TJ, Nawrot T, Vangronsveld J, Smeets K. Cadmium stress: an oxidative challenge. Biometals. 2010 Oct;23(5):927-40. doi: 10.1007/s10534-010-9329-x. Epub 2010 Apr 2. Review. PubMed PMID: 20361350.

Nelissen K, Smeets K, Mulder M, Hendriks JJ, Ameloot M. Selection of reference genes for gene expression studies in rat oligodendrocytes using quantitative real time PCR. J Neurosci Methods. 2010 Mar 15;187(1):78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2009.12.018. Epub 2009 Dec 29. PubMed PMID: 20036692.

Semane B, Dupae J, Cuypers A, Noben JP, Tuomainen M, Tervahauta A, Kärenlampi S, Van Belleghem F, Smeets K, Vangronsveld J. Leaf proteome responses of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to mild cadmium stress. J Plant Physiol. 2010 Mar 1;167(4):247-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2009.09.015. Epub 2009 Dec 11. PubMed PMID: 20005002.

Remans T, Opdenakker K, Smeets K, Mathysen D, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A (2010) Metal-specific and NADPH oxidase dependent changes in lipoxygenase and NADPH oxidase gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to cadmium or excess copper. Functional Plant Biology 37 (6), 532-544.

Weyens N, van der Lelie D, Artois T, Smeets K, Taghavi S, Newman L, Carleer R, Vangronsveld J. Bioaugmentation with engineered endophytic bacteria improves contaminant fate in phytoremediation. Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Dec 15;43(24):9413-8. doi: 10.1021/es901997z. PubMed PMID: 20000537.

Smeets K, Opdenakker K, Remans T, Van Sanden S, Van Belleghem F, Semane B, Horemans N, Guisez Y, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Oxidative stress-related responses at transcriptional and enzymatic levels after exposure to Cd or Cu in a multipollution context. J Plant Physiol. 2009 Dec 15;166(18):1982-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2009.06.014. Epub 2009 Aug 26. PubMed PMID: 19709775.

Cuypers A, Smeets K, Vangronsveld J (2009) Heavy metal stress in plants. In: Plant stress biology: From Genomics to Systems Biology (ed H. Hirt), pp. 161-178, Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim.

Vanhoudt N, Vandenhove H, Smeets K, Remans T, Van Hees M, Wannijn J, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Effects of uranium and phosphate concentrations on oxidative stress related responses induced in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2008 Nov;46(11):987-96. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2008.06.003. Epub 2008 Jun 13. PubMed PMID: 18640846.

Remans T, Smeets K, Opdenakker K, Mathijsen D, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Normalisation of real-time RT-PCR gene expression measurements in Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to increased metal concentrations. Planta. 2008 May;227(6):1343-9. doi: 10.1007/s00425-008-0706-4. Epub 2008 Feb 14. PubMed PMID: 18273637.

Smeets K, Ruytinx J, Van Belleghem F, Semane B, Lin D, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A. Critical evaluation and statistical validation of a hydroponic culture system for Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2008 Feb;46(2):212-8. Epub 2007 Oct 9. PubMed PMID: 18024051.

Smeets K, Ruytinx J, Semane B, Van Belleghem F, Van Sanden S, Remans T, Vangronsveld J, Cuypers A (2008) Cadmium-induced transcriptional and enzymatic alterations related to oxidative stress. Environmental and Experimental Botany 63, 1-8.

Thijssen S, Cuypers A, Maringwa J, Smeets K, Horemans N, Lambrichts I, Van Kerkhove E. Low cadmium exposure triggers a biphasic oxidative stress response in mice kidneys. Toxicology. 2007 Jul 1;236(1-2):29-41. Epub 2007 Mar 31. PubMed PMID: 17499415.

Van Belleghem F, Cuypers A, Semane B, Smeets K, Vangronsveld J, d’Haen J, Valcke R. Subcellular localization of cadmium in roots and leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. New Phytol. 2007;173(3):495-508. PubMed PMID: 17244044.

Semane B, Cuypers A, Smeets K, Van Belleghem F, Horemans N, Schat H, Vangronsveld J (2007) Cadmium responses in Arabidopsis thaliana: glutathione metabolism and antioxidative defence system. Physiologia Plantarum 129 (3), 519-521.

Smeets K, Cuypers A, Lambrechts A, Semane B, Hoet P, Van Laere A, Vangronsveld J. Induction of oxidative stress and antioxidative mechanisms in Phaseolus vulgaris after Cd application. Plant Physiol Biochem. 2005 May;43(5):437-44. Epub 2005 Apr 25. PubMed PMID: 15890519.