Name Responsible Activity "Ecology and Systematics" "Marc Kochzius" "AMPHIBIAN EVOLUTION LAB (Prof. Franky Bossuyt) http://www.amphibia.be ABSTRACT: Research centers around the use of molecular phylogenetics to elucidate evolutionary patterns, and the processes that produce them, in amphibians. We are trying to understand the relationship between tempo and mode of evolution in relation to biogeography, speciation and morphological diversification. Our research also integrates this phylogenetic background with transcriptome and peptidome data to explore the evolution of pheromones and antimicrobial/anti-predatory skin peptides in various amphibians. Apart from providing an excellent model system for the study of adaptive evolution at a molecular scale, these molecules represent promising templates for novel bioactive compounds in various therapeutic applications. Identifying novel classes of amphibian skin peptides represents a major aspect of the European Research Council program TAPAS (Tracing Antimicrobial peptides and Pheromones in the Amphibian Skin). MAJOR RESEARCH THEMES: 1. Natural History and Evolution Research leader: Prof. Dr. Franky Bossuyt With over 7.000 species described worldwide, modern amphibian diversity exceeds those of songbirds and mammals. Yet, insights in biogeography, ecology, behavior, and reproduction are fragmentary for many amphibians, and fascinating discoveries are being made at a frequent pace. We explore amphibians using field observations as the primary means of bio-discovery: new species, fascinating behavior, adaptations in physiology. We use the strength of molecular phylogenetics to answer questions that go beyond traditional species phylogenies, but also include reconstruction of physiological, transcriptomic or proteomic data. We continue working on the biogeographical and macroevolutionary questions and hypotheses that arose by our research of the past decade. These are mostly related to the two areas that we have been focusing on in the past, the Indian subcontinent and the Pantepui area in South America. 2. Antimicrobial Peptides and Toxins Research leader: Dr. Kim Roelants Amphibians stand out among vertebrates by specialized skin glands that secrete a rich cocktail of bioactive molecules upon stress or injury. A major part of these molecules have been characterized as analogs of vertebrate hormones and metabolic proteins, and they are thought to act as defensive toxins, capable to interfere with various physiological pathways in a wide range of predators. A second part is composed of gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides that provide a first line of defense against infectious microorganisms, making up a key part of the innate immune system. Both types of molecules represent integrated parts of a sophisticated molecular defense weapon, whose study is highly lucrative for research fields as diverse as evolutionary biology, conservation biology, and pharmacology. We are using an integrative approach to identify and characterize novel antimicrobial peptides and toxins in the amphibian skin. 3. Behavioral Ecology Research leader: Dr. Ines Van Bocxlaer Salamanders (Urodela) have evolved diverse courtship and reproductive strategies, which are as variable as, for example, the male holding the female in amplexus, pheromone ""vaccination"" of the female by the male and underwater tail-waving of pheromones without physical contact. We recently developed a series of two-female experiments in Salamandridae, comparing behavior in male courtship water and control water and showed that male molecules emitted during tail-waving are courtship pheromones that can induce all typical features of natural female mating behavior, in particular the following behavior. We aim to understand how these salamander courtship and reproductive strategies evolved in function of pheromone evolution and vice versa. We combine behavioral assays with transcriptomic, proteomic, genomic and phylogenetic techniques to come to an integrative view on the evolution of courtship strategies. ---------------------------------- MARINE RESEARCH (Prof. M. Kochzius) under construction" "Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering" "HYDR is currently developing research activities in the fields of: 1. Water resources management: - Assessment of water resources at the river basin scale through water balance models. 2. Surface water hydraulics and hydrology: - Process study for both quantity and quality aspects; - Rainfall-runoff modelling; - Stochastic rainfall and runoff models. 3. Hydrodynamics and sediment transport: - Process study of current circulation, turbulence and mixing in stratified flows, sediment transport processes, as well as lithologic and geomorphologic evolution in aquatic environment. 4. Groundwater hydrology: - Regional and site studies and modelling techniques for both quantity and quality aspects. 5. Ecohydrology: - Analysis of hydrologic systems in relation to land use and nature conservation; - GIS applications. 6. Educational Research in the field of Environment - Water: - Education and training needs analysis; - Evaluation and testing of knowledge, skills and competencies." "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." Biology "Luc Lens" "The Biology Department plays a pivotal role in the education of biology students by offering courses in a wide range of biological disciplines, centred around Ecology Evolution Functional Biology Biodiversity. The single Bachelor and various Master’s programmes place the organism in the focus, whether considered as a member of a species (Biodiversity), as an interacting partner with its environment (Ecology), as the result of an evolutionary process (Evolution) or as a functioning entity (Functional Biology). Research at the Department is essentially fundamental in nature, and is carried out in 13 research groups in various zoological, botanical and ecological disciplines." "Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation" "Robby Stoks" "LABORATORY OF AQUATIC ECOLOGY (F. Ollevier, L. Brendonck, L. De Meester, R. Stoks, F. Volckaert) - Aquatic ecology and biodiversity including population genetics & evolutionary genetics of aquatic vertebrates & invertebrates. - Fish diseases (parasites, bacteria) and aquatic microbiology. - Management of aquatic ecosystems (trophical cascade) in relation with eutrophication. - Ecophysiology related with aquaculture, reproduction. - Aquatic ecotoxicology : as well fundamental aspects as their application in aquaculture and evironmental management. - Projects of applied hydrobiology are run in Africa (Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya), Asia (China, Vietnam) and South-America (Ecuador, Chili, Bolivia). LABORATORY FOR ENTOMOLOGY (J. Billen) Morphology and ultrastructure of exocrine glands in social insects, phylogeny of the Formicidae, chemical analysis of pheromone-producing glands in social insects, communication and pheromones in social insects, behavioural study of reproduction and dominance in ants. LABORATORY FOR COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND BIODIVERSITY (K. W outers, W. Van Neer, J. Snoeks) - Systematic revisions of African and South-East Asian freshwater fishes. This research is focused on the economically important fish families such as the Cichlidae (tilapias and several groups from the East African Lakes), Clariidae, Schilbeidae, Bagridae (Chrysichtys) and Mastacembelidae. - Biodiversity studies, concentrated on Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Brazzaville, Ivory Coast and the great East African Lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika and Malawi). - Osteology to elucidate relationships within certain fish groups such as the Polypteridae. - Taxonomic and (paleo)ecological study of ostracodes." "Faculty administrative service" "Faculty services" "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." "Science/Medicine educational counseling"