Journal papers
Mazy, Lara, and Greet Kerckhofs. “A Review of In-Situ Mechanical Testing Combined with X-Ray Microfocus Computed Tomography: Application and Current Challenges for Biological Tissues.” Tomography of Materials and Structures, vol. 8, June 2025, p. 100062, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmater.2025.100062.
Delia Hoffmann, Tim Balcaen, Sarah Vangrunderbeeck, Léna Puigdevall Mata, Arne Maes, Grzegorz Pyka, Laure Dumoutier, Catherine Behets, Wim De Borggraeve, Greet Kerckhofs, 3D Histological Analysis of Soft Tissues by Contrast-Enhanced X-Ray Microfocus Computed Tomography: Screening and Staining Optimization of Contrast-Enhancing Staining Agents, Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 31, Issue 2, April 2025, ozaf013, https://doi.org/10.1093/mam/ozaf013
Manon, J., Gillerot, E., Delandmeeter, F., Van den Broeck, L., Schneidewind, P., Coche, E., Pyka, G., Cornu, O., Behets, C., Kerckhofs, G., Lengelé, B. (2025). Beneath the Perforators: Unravelling Fascia Lata Intrinsic Vascular Architecture using microfocus X-ray computed tomography. Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger, 152386.
Balcaen, T., Vangrunderbeeck, S., De Borggraeve, W. M., & Kerckhofs, G. (2025). Contrast-Enhancing Staining Agents for ex vivo Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography: a review. Tomography of Materials and Structures, 100052.
Hanne, N. J., Steward, A. J., Geeroms, C., Easter, E. D., Gensch, H. T., Kerckhofs, G., … & Cole, J. H. (2025). Ischemic stroke reduces bone perfusion and alters osteovascular structure. Bone Reports, 101824.
Leyssens, L., El Aazmani, W., Balcaen, T., Jacques, P. J., Horman, S., Goldman, J., & Kerckhofs, G. (2024). MicroCT and contrast-enhanced microCT to study the in vivo degradation behavior and biocompatibility of candidate metallic intravascular stent materials. Acta Biomaterialia.
Morath, L., Rahim, S. A., Baker, C., Anderson, D., Hinds, M., Sikora-Jasinska, M., Oujiri, L., Leyssens L., Kerckhofs, G., Pyka, G., Oliver A., A., Drelich J. W., Goldman, J. (2024). The biological effects of copper alloying in Zn-based biodegradable arterial implants. Biomaterials Advances, 214112.
Leyssens, L., Lapraille, N., Pyka, G., Jacques, P. J., Horman, S., Goldman, J., & Kerckhofs, G. (2024). Exploring the biodegradability of candidate metallic intravascular stent materials using X‐ray microfocus computed tomography: An in vitro study. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials, 112(8), e35452.
Pétré, M., Balcaen, T., Schneidewind, P., Mazy, L., Pyka, G., Fehervary, H., Famaey, N., Kerckhofs, G. (2024). Screening staining agents for contrast-enhanced microCT of vascular tissues: assessing the effect on microstructural and mechanical properties. Tomography of Materials and Structures, 100038.
Balcaen, T., Benova, A., de Jong, F., de Oliveira Silva, R., Cajka, T., Sakellariou, D., Tencerova, M., Kerckhofs, G., De Borggraeve, W. (2024). Exploring contrast-enhancing staining agents for studying adipose tissue through contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Journal of Lipid Research, 100572.
Muylle, E., Van De Winkel, N., Dubois, A., De Hertogh, G., Maes, A., Kerckhofs, G., Dubois, A., Vandecaveye, V., Thorrez, L., Hennion, I., Emonds, M-P, Pans, S., Deferm, N., Monbaliu, D., Canovai, E., Vanuytsel, T., Pirenne, J., Ceulemans, L. (2023). 132: In-depth multi-level analysis of the neovascularization and integration process of a non-vascularized rectus fascia following intestinal transplantation. Transplantation, 107(7S), 77.
Docter, D., Timmerman, M., Dawood, Y., Hagoort, J., Lobe, N., van Heurn, E., Gorter, R., Jacobs, K., Pyka, G., Kerckhofs, G., van den Hoff M., de Bakker, B. (2024). Scaling Up Contrast-Enhanced Micro-CT Imaging: optimizing contrast and acquisition for large ex-vivo human samples. Forensic Imaging, 200596.
Maes, A., Borgel, O., Braconnier, C., Balcaen, T., Wevers, M., Halbgebauer, R., … & Kerckhofs, G. (2024). X-Ray-Based 3D Histopathology of the Kidney Using Cryogenic Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT. International Journal of Biomedical Imaging, 2024.
Xie, M., Kaiser, M., Gershtein, Y., Schnyder, D., Deviatiiarov, R., Gazizova, G., … & Chagin, A. S. (2024). The level of protein in the maternal murine diet modulates the facial appearance of the offspring via mTORC1 signaling. Nature Communications, 15(1), 1-15.
Schröer, L., Balcaen, T., Folens, K., Boon, N., De Kock, T., Kerckhofs, G., & Cnudde, V. (2024). 3D Visualization of Cyanobacterial Biofilms using Micro-Computed Tomography with Contrast-Enhancing Staining Agents. Tomography of Materials and Structures, 100024.
Davis, S., Karali, A., Balcaen, T., Zekonyte, J., Pétré, M., Roldo, M., Kerckhofs, G. & Blunn, G. (2024). Comparison of two contrast-enhancing staining agents for use in X-ray imaging and digital volume correlation measurements across the cartilage-bone interface. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 106414.
Pestiaux, C.; Marino, A.; Simal, L.; Horman, S.; Capoulade, R.; Kerckhofs, G. X-ray-Based 3D Histology of Murine Hearts Using Contrast-Enhanced Microfocus Computed Tomography (CECT) and Cryo-CECT. Hearts 2024, 5, 14-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/hearts5010002
Benova A, Ferencakova M, Bardova K, Funda J, Prochazka J, Spoutil F, Cajka T, Dzubanova M, Balcaen T, Kerckhofs G, Willekens W, van Lenthe GH, Charyyeva A, Alquicer G, Pecinova A, Mracek T, Horakova O, Coupeau R, Hansen MS, Rossmeisl M, Kopecky J, Tencerova M. Omega-3 PUFAs prevent bone impairment and bone marrow adiposity in mouse model of obesity. Commun Biol. 2023 Oct 14;6(1):1043. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-05407-8.
Leyssens, L., Balcaen, T., Pétré, M., Ayllón, N. B., El Aazmani, W., de Pierpont, A., … & Kerckhofs, G. Non-destructive 3D characterization of the blood vessel wall microstructure in different species and blood vessel types using contrast-enhanced microCT and comparison with synthetic vascular grafts. Acta Biomaterialia, 164, 303-316 (2023).
Dehkord, E.S., Kerckhofs, G., Compere, P., Lambert, F., Geris, L. with Geris, L. (corresp. author) (2023). An Empirical Model Linking Physico-Chemical Biomaterial Characteristics to Intra-Oral Bone Formation. JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS, 14 (7), Art.No. ARTN 388. doi: 10.3390/jfb14070388
Pestiaux, C., Pyka, G., Quirynen, L., De Azevedo, D., Vanoverschelde, J. L., Lengelé, B., … & Kerckhofs, G. 3D histopathology of stenotic aortic valve cusps using ex vivo microfocus computed tomography. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10, 1129990 (2023).
Salmon, P., Monzem, S., Javaheri, B., Oste, L., Kerckhofs, G., & Pitsillides, A. A. Resolving trabecular metaphyseal bone profiles downstream of the growth plate adds value to bone histomorphometry in mouse models. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 839 (2023).
Balcaen, T., Piens, C., Mwema, A., Chourrout, M., Vandebroek, L., Rieux, A.D., Chauveau, F., De Borggraeve, W.M., Hoffmann, D. and Kerckhofs, G., Revealing the three-dimensional murine brain microstructure by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, p.465 (2023).
Frangi, G., Guicheteau, M., Jacquot, F., Pyka, G., Kerckhofs, G., Feyeux, M., … & Beck-Cormier, S. PiT2 deficiency prevents increase of bone marrow adipose tissue during skeletal maturation but not in OVX-induced osteoporosis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2864 (2022).
Starovoyt, A., Quirk, B.C., Putzeys, T. et al. An optically-guided cochlear implant sheath for real-time monitoring of electrode insertion into the human cochlea. Sci Rep 12, 19234 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23653-4
Starovoyt, A., Shaheen, E., Putzeys, T., Kerckhofs, G., Politis, C., Wouters, J., Verhaert, N. with Verhaert, N.(corresp. author) (2023). Anatomically and mechanically accurate scala tympani model for electrode insertion studies. HEARING RESEARCH, 430, Art.No. ARTN 108707. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108707
Starovoyt, A., Pyka, G., Putzeys, T., Balcaen, T., Wouters, J., Kerckhofs, G., Verhaert, N. with Verhaert, N.(corresp. author) (2023). Human cochlear microstructures at risk of electrode insertion trauma, elucidated in 3D with contrast-enhanced microCT. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 13 (1), Art.No. ARTN 2191. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-29401-6
Lang, A., Benn, A., Wolter, A., Balcaen, T., Collins, J., Kerckhofs, G., Zwijsen, A., Boerckel, J.D. (2023). Endothelial SMAD1/5 signaling couples angiogenesis to osteogenesis during long bone growth. bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2023.01.07.522994
Maes, A., Pestiaux, C., Marino, A., Balcaen, T., Leyssens, L., Vangrunderbeeck, S., Pyka, G., De Borggraeve W.M., Bertrand, L., Beauloye, C., Horman, S., Wevers, M., Kerckhofs, G. Cryogenic contrast-enhanced microCT enables nondestructive 3D quantitative histopathology of soft biological tissues. Nat Commun 13, 6207 (2022).
Ali, D. A. H., Figeac, F., Tencerova, M., Caci, A., Ditzel, N., Schmal, C., Kerckhofs, G., Havelund, J., Færgeman, N., Rauch, A., Tencerova, M., and, Kassem, M. High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity augments the deleterious effects of estrogen deficiency in bone. Evidence from post-menopausal mice. Bone Reports, 13(Suppl.), P155 (2022).
Benova, A., Ferencakova, M., Bardova, K., Funda, J., Prochazka, J., Spoutil, F., Cajka, T., Dzubanova, M., Balcaen, T., Kerckhofs, G., Willekens, W., van Lenthe, H., Alquicer, G., Pecinova, A., Mracek, T., Horakova, O., Rossmeisl, M., Kopecky, J. and, Tencerova, M. Novel thiazolidinedione analog reduces a negative impact on bone and mesenchymal stem cell properties in obese mice compared to classical thiazolidinediones. Molecular Metabolism, p.101598 (2022).
Léger, J., Leyssens, L., Kerckhofs, G., De Vleeschouwer, C. Ensemble learning and test-time augmentation for the segmentation of mineralized cartilage versus bone in high-resolution microCT images. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 105932 (2022).
Pascart, T., Falgayrac, G., Cortet, B., Paccou, J., Bleuse, M., Coursier, R., … & Budzik, J. F. Subchondral involvement in osteonecrosis of the femoral head: insight on local composition, microstructure and vascularization. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (2022).
Figeac, F., Tencerova, M., Ali, D., Andersen, T.L., Appadoo, D.R C., Kerckhofs, G., Ditzel, N., Kowal, J.M., Rauch, A., Kassem, M. (2022). Impaired bone fracture healing in type 2 diabetes is caused by defective functions of skeletal progenitor cells. Stem Cells, Art.No. sxab011. doi: 10.1093/stmcls/sxab011
Tam, W.L., Mendes, L.F., Chen, X., Lesage, R., Van Hoven, I., Leysen, E., Kerckhofs, G., Bosmans, K., Chai, Y.C., Yamashita, A., Tsumaki, N., Geris, L., Roberts, S.J., Luyten, F.P. with Luyten, F.P. (corresp. author) (2021). Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cartilaginous organoids promote scaffold-free healing of critical size long bone defects. STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY, 12 (1), Art.No. ARTN 513. doi: 10.1186/s13287-021-02580-7
Marin, C., Tuts, J., Luyten, F., Vandamme, K., Kerckhofs, G. Impaired soft and hard callus formation during fracture healing in diet-induced obese mice as revealed by 3D contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging. Bone, Volume 150 (2021).
Leyssens, L., Pestiaux, C., Kerckhofs, G. A Review of Ex Vivo X-ray Microfocus Computed Tomography-Based Characterization of the Cardiovascular System. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 22, 3263 (2021).
de Bournonville, S., Geris, L. & Kerckhofs, G. Micro computed tomography with and without contrast enhancement for the characterization of microcarriers in dry and wet state. Sci Rep 11, 2819 (2021).
Colsoul, N., Marin, C., Corbeels, K., Kerckhofs, G., Van der Schueren, B., Vandamme, K. with Vandamme, K.(corresp. author) (2020). Alteration of the Condylar Oral Bone in Obese and Gastric Bypass Mice. CALCIFIED TISSUE INTERNATIONAL, 107 (4), 371-380. doi: 10.1007/s00223-020-00732-0
de Bournonville, S., Vangrunderbeeck, S., Ly, H. G. T., Geeroms, C., De Borggraeve, W. M., Parac-Vogt, T. N., & Kerckhofs, G., Exploring Polyoxometalates as Non-Destructive Staining Agents for Contrast-Enhanced Microfocus Computed Tomography of Biological Tissues. Acta Biomaterialia (2020).
Tratwal, J., Labella, R., Bravenboer, N., Kerckhofs, G., Douni, E., Scheller, E.L., Badr, S., Karampinos, D.C., BeckCournier, S., Palmisano, B., Poloni, A., Moreno-Aliaga, M.J., Fretz, J., Rodeheffer, M.S., Boroumand, P., Rosen, C.J., Horowitz, M.C., van der Eerden, B.C J., Veldhuis-Vlug, A.G., Naveiras, O. (2020). Reporting Guidelines, Review of Methodological Standards, and Challenges Toward Harmonization in Bone Marrow Adiposity Research. Report of the Methodologies Working Group of the International Bone Marrow Adiposity Society. Frontiers In Endocrinology, 11, Art.No. ARTN 65. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00065
Pascart, T., Paccou, J., Colard, T., Norberciak, L., Girard, J., Delattre, J., Marchandise, P., Legrand, J., Penel, G., Coursier, R., Putman, S., Cortet, B., Kerckhofs, G., Budzik, J-F. (2020). T1-weighted MRI images accurately represent the volume and surface of architectural mineral damage of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Comparison with high-resolution computed tomography. Bone, 130, Art.No. ARTN 115099. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.115099
Kamperman, T., Moreira Teixeira, L., Salehi, S.S., Kerckhofs, G., Guyot, Y., Geven, M., Geris, L., Grijpma, D., Blanquer, S., Leijten, J. (2020). Engineering 3D parallelized microfluidic droplet generators with equal flow profiles by computational fluid dynamics and stereolithographic printing. Lab On A Chip, 20 (3), 490-495. doi: 10.1039/c9lc00980a
Beekman, K.M., Zwaagstra, M., Veldhuis-Vlug, A.G., van Essen, H.W., den Heijer, M., Maas, M., Kerckhofs, G., ParacVogt, T.N., Bisschop, P.H., Bravenboer, N. with Bravenboer, N. (corresp. author) (2019). Ovariectomy increases RANKL protein expression in bone marrow adipocytes of C3H/HeJ mice. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGYENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM, 317 (6), E1050-E1054. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00142.2019
Penel, G., Kerckhofs, G., Chauveau, C. with Chauveau, C. (corresp. author) (2019). Brief Report From the 4th International Meeting on Bone Marrow Adiposity (BMA2018). Frontiers In Endocrinology, 10, Art.No. 691, 1-5. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00691
Zhao, L., Ding, L., Soete, J., Idrissi, H., Kerckhofs, G., Simar, A. with Zhao, L. (corresp. author) (2019). Fostering crack deviation via local internal stresses in Al/NiTi composites and its correlation with fracture toughness. Composites Part A-Applied Science And Manufacturing, 126. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.105617
Coutel, X., Delattre, J., Marchandise, P., Falgayrac, G., Béhal, H., Kerckhofs, G., Penel, G., Olejnik, C. with Olejnik, C. (corresp. author) (2019). Mandibular bone is protected against microarchitectural alterations and bone marrow adipose conversion in ovariectomized rats. BONE, 127, 343-352. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.06.031
de Bournonville S., Vangrunderbeeck S., Kerckhofs G.,Contrast-Enhanced MicroCT for Virtual 3D Anatomical Pathology of Biological Tissues: A Literature Review. Contrast media & molecular imaging 2019 (2019).
De Clercq, K., Persoons, E., Napso, T., Luyten, C., Parac-Vogt, T., Sferruzzi-Perri A., Kerckhofs G., Vriens. J., High-resolution contrast-enhanced microCT reveals the true three-dimensional morphology of the murine placenta. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2019): 201902688.
Bolette, A., Lecloux, G., Rompen, E., Albert, A., Kerckhofs, G., Lambert, F. (2019). Influence of induced infection in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw development after tooth extraction: A study in rats. Journal Of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, 47 (2), 349-356. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2018.08.011
Beekman, K.M., Veldhuis-Vlug, A.G., van der Veen, A., den Heijer, M., Maas, M., Kerckhofs, G., Parac-Vogt, T.N., Bisschop, P.H., Bravenboer, N. (2019). The effect of PPAR gamma inhibition on bone marrow adipose tissue and bone in C3H/HeJ mice. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM, 316 (1), E96-E105. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00265.2018
Ji, W., Kerckhofs, G., Geeroms, C., Marechal, M., Geris, L., Luyten, F.P. with Luyten, F.P. (corresp. author) (2018). Deciphering the combined effect of bone morphogenetic protein 6 and calcium phosphate on bone formation capacity of periosteum derived cells-based tissue engineering constructs. ACTA BIOMATERIALIA, 80, 97-107. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.09.046
Cao, W., Sun, T., Kerckhofs, G., Fardell, G., Price, B., Dewulf, W. with Cao, W. (corresp. author) (2018). A simulation-based study on the influence of the x-ray spectrum on the performance of multi-material beam hardening correction algorithms. MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 29 (9), Art.No. ARTN 095002. doi: 10.1088/1361-6501/aacba0
Marin, C., Papantonakis, G., Sels, K., van Lenthe, H., Falgayrac, G., Vangoitsenhoven, R., Van Der Schueren, B., Penel, G., Luyten, F., Vandamme, K., Kerckhofs, G. (2018). Unraveling the compromised biomechanical performance of type 2 diabetes- and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bone by linking mechanical-structural and physico-chemical properties. Scientific Reports, 8, Art.No. 5881, 5881-1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24229-x
Kerckhofs, G., Stegen, S., van Gastel, N., Sap, A., Falgayrac, G., Penel, G., Durand, M., Luyten, F., Geris, L., Vandamme, K., Parac-Vogt, T., Carmeliet, G. (2018). Simultaneous three-dimensional visualization of mineralized and soft skeletal tissues by a novel microCT contrast agent with polyoxometalate structure. Biomaterials, 159, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.12.016
Marin, C., Luyten, F., Van Der Schueren, B., Kerckhofs, G., Vandamme, K. (2018). The impact of type 2 diabetes on bone fracture healing. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9 (6), Art.No. 6, 1-15. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00006
Coutel, X., Olejnik, C., Marchandise, P., Delattre, J., Béhal, H., Kerckhofs, G., Penel, G. (2018). A novel microCT method for bone and marrow adipose tissue alignment identifies key differences between mandible and tibia in rats. Calcified Tissue International, 103, 189-197. doi: 10.1007/s00223-018-0397-1
