Name Responsible Activity "Environmental Biology" "Jaco VANGRONSVELD" "The group Enviromental Biology has a longstanding experience (since 1976) in the field of heavy metal uptake by plants, the effects of toxic metal concentrations on plants and the transfer of metals to the food chain. The group was involved in several projects concerning the zinc, cadmium and lead contamination in the region Balen, Lommel, Overpelt in the the zinc smelter contaminated area in the north-east of Belgium. They started with laboratory and in situ studies on phytoremediation (phytostabilization and phytoextraction) of heavy metal contaminated soils in 1985 and is involved in several national and international projects and collaborations in this field. Phytoremediation of organics also belongs to the research area of the group, especially on nitroaromatics, oils and BTEX. Special attention is paid to the interaction between plants and plant-associated micro-organisms (mycorrhiza and bacteria).Biological tests for the evaluation of soil toxicity were developed. These activities are practical applications based on the fundamental research program of the laboratory. The latter is concentrated on the (eco-)physiological, cellular and molecular effects and sequence of events after application of pollutants to plants and mycorrhiza. Studies of defence and tolerance mechanisms against heavy metals are also part of the fundamental research program. Special attention is paid to subcellular localisation of both contaminants and defence systems. This research program is performed on several plant species, from which certain species are genetically transformed. " "General Botany and Nature Management" "Harry Olde Venterink" "The APNA unit covers fiveresearch domains: 1. vegetation research and spatio-temporal vegetation analysis - target vegetation types: mangroves, temperate deciduous forests, cork oak forests, vegetation of seepage zones (including types of wetlands); - methods: classical Braun-Blanquet relevés, PCQM transects, airborne and spaceborne remote sensing, GIS, application of hydrological modelling, wood anatomy and environmental stress, socio-economic surveys. 2. genetic diversity, genetic structure plant populations and taxonomy - target taxa: aquatic macrophytes, old growth forest herbaceous plants, willow, mangrove tree species, cork oak; - methods: isoenzyme analysis, PCR-based techniques, classical taxonomic methodology, including herbarium BRVU. 3. limnology (freshwater ecology) and water quality research - target areas: African lakes, brooks in temperate regions, seepage zones; - methods: limnological methodology, phytoplankton studies, EIA. 4. nature management and nature management policies - target areas: nature management in the above-mentioned areas, particularly periurban ecosystems; - methods: above mentioned laboratory and fieldwork, questionnaire-based surveys, management planning. The Brussels area (including the Zonien forest) is of particular interest for the vegetation and nature management studies as well as for the freshwater and water quality surveys done in the research group. 5. bio-accoustics of amphibians in the Indian subcontinent" "Meise Botanic Garden" "The Meise Botanic Garden is a centre of excellence for botanical and horticultural science, plant conservation, and education. With a herbarium collection of circa 4 million specimens and a living collection of nearly 25,000 accessions, the BGM is ranked among the largest botanic gardens in the world.The science at the Garden centres on collection-based studies of plant diversity, evolution and ecology, spanning a wide array of taxonomic groups and geographic areas. The fundamental research of the Garden forms a platform for plant conservation and sustainable development, in close collaboration with other botanic gardens and conservation organisations. Finally, the BGM is dedicated to share its knowledge on plants and their environment to the research community, stakeholders, students and the general public." "Meise Botanic Garden" "The Meise Botanic Garden is a centre of excellence for botanical and horticultural science, plant conservation, and education. With a herbarium collection of circa 4 million specimens and a living collection of nearly 25,000 accessions, the BGM is ranked among the largest botanic gardens in the world.The science at the Garden centres on collection-based studies of plant diversity, evolution and ecology, spanning a wide array of taxonomic groups and geographic areas. The fundamental research of the Garden forms a platform for plant conservation and sustainable development, in close collaboration with other botanic gardens and conservation organisations. Finally, the BGM is dedicated to share its knowledge on plants and their environment to the research community, stakeholders, students and the general public." "Plant morphology" "The cellular basis of elongation and the control of elongation in cells of seed plants. Different aspects are being studied in structure/function relationships. Apoplastic features are cell wall architecture, the biomechanics of cell walls and the enzymatic remodelling of the wall during cell expansion. Symplastic features are the cytoskeleton, nuclear metabolism and the remodelling of cell membranes and organelles." "Plant Physiology" "Topic A : Biochemistry and molecular biology of plant cell wall degradation due to fungal and bacterial pectic enzymes (Fusarium, Pseudomonas) (Koedam N.) Molecular cloning, gene (product) and regulation analysis Investigation of virulence factors in Fusarium oxysporum induced wilting of chickpea and disease suppression by fluorescent Pseudomonas Topic B : siderophores of bacterial origin (Pseudomonas) : production, regulation and interaction with potentially toxic metals (Zn, Cd, Al, Cu, Ni,...) (Cornelis P. and Koedam N.) Application of rhizobacteria as biocontrol agents. Extension of these activities to the tropical environment (Sri Lanka) Plant growth promotion and fluorescent pseudomonads: mechanism of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris, causative agent of vascular wilt in Cicer arietinum Study on the interaction between plants and fluorescent pseudomonads within the rhizosphere : colonisational aspects, antagonism against fytophatogenes and effects on growth. Development of the orientation Molecular Biology at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka Topic C : secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical importance in Datura (productivity, regulation) and allelopathy. Extension to some tropical medicinal plants (Demeyer K.) Valorisation des végétaux tropicaux par extraction d'huiles essentielles, alcaloïdes à usage pharmaceutiques, cosmétologiques et agro-alimentaire' Burundi Topic D : physiology of new crops in marginal soils (saline environments) : Crambe, Aster and Salicornia. Stress phenomena in saline environments (Bogemans J.) A contribution to the diversification of the production of vegetable crops by research on cultivation methods and selection of halophytes Topic E : Educational project : establishment of a scientific self-study centre at the University of Nairobi (Neirinckx L.)" "Research Institute: Centre for Environmental Sciences" "Robert MALINA" "Research From the beginning, and also for the future, CMK has opted for a well-considered combination of and symbiosis between high-qualitative fundamental environment-related research and applied research with financing coming from the different money flows (2nd, 3rd, 4th). CMK participates in European framework programmes, in research programmes for international bilateral cooperation, in BOF projects (Special Research Fund), in FWO projects (Fund for Scientific Research), IWT (The Institute for the promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders), Belspo/DWTC (Belgian Science Policy/federal services for science policy), the Ministry of Small Enterprises, Traders and Agriculture, OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders), the Department LNE (Department of Environment, Nature and Energy of the Flemish Government), VMM (Flemish Environment Agency), and so on. Moreover, specific research programmes are carried out in cooperation with the industry. The development of the full spectrum from fundamental to applied research offers several opportunities, such as among other things the reinforcement of the critical mass, obtaining equipment and the efficient use of it, ''buffer capacity'' in function of cyclical fluctuations and so on so that there are enough possibilities for the realization of an effective scientific output, potential economic valorisation of research results and participation in international networks. Education The members of the CMK participate in the education in different disciplines (sciences, life sciences, applied economic sciences, transportation sciences) and the training of young, promising researchers during internships, theses, doctoral researches and post-doctoral trainings. Moreover, CMK aims at a clear feedback of the research to the very diverse educational assignments of the CMK members. The scientific and technological expertise of the CMK has to be used optimally for the scientific training of academics. Training young, promising researchers also contributes to the scientific and economic development of the region. Moreover, the PAV training (post-academic training) Environmental Co-ordinator level A, organised by the CMK, is a training with a high social relevance. The association University and University Colleges Limburg also undertakes educational tasks. Scientific services Scientific services are carried out in the fields that follow naturally from the research expertise. Advice is given to governments, companies and private persons concerning topics that fit in with the different activity fields of the CMK. Most of the members also undertake (policy) tasks in various organisations outside the institute."