Prof. dr. Frank Claessens

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

Frank Claessens is a molecular endocrinologist who studies the action mechanisms of androgens. He obtained his PhD in 1989 on the identification of androgen-responsive enhancers and the DNA-binding by the androgen receptor. His postdoctoral work in the group of Malcolm Parker (ICRF, London UK) focused on how co-regulators interact with both the amino-terminal and the ligand binding domains of the androgen receptor. In 2002, he became PI of the Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory. His current work focusses on the search for alternative ways to inhibit the AR as well as on a deeper understanding of how AR targeting affects localized high-risk prostate cancer and how this could be further exploited therapeutically.’