Projects
Towards Postfeminist Thinking? A Wittgensteinian Solution to a Semantic-Political Problem in Contemporary Feminist Theory. University of Antwerp
Function, organization, dynamics and evolution of hyperbranched receptor-binding protein systems in Klebsiella jumbo phages and their interactions with bacteria Ghent University
The most intense co-evolution on our globe takes place between bacteria and their viruses, called bacteriophages. Bacteriophages kill their bacterial host with a very high specificity. Every phage infection is initiated by the recognition of a specific structure on the bacterial surface by a receptor-binding protein (RBP). Some phages having a single RBP, infect only one specific bacterial serotype, while others can attack different bacterial ...
In search for buried magnetic fields inside intermediate-mass stars along their evolution. KU Leuven
From the flat rotation profile inside main-sequence stars to the unexpected low rotation rate of the core of evolved red-giant stars, the extraction of stellar angular momentum is poorly understood inside intermediate-mass stars throughout their evolution. In addition, the recent discovery of red giants more massive than 1.3 solar masses that present a surprisingly low amplitude oscillation modes could be the signature of a strong magnetic ...
Using Experimental Evolution to Optimize Probiotics for their Application in Wound Care KU Leuven
This project aims at delivering the proof-of-concept for the enhancement of probiotics through experimental evolution. By exploiting the evolutionary arms race between probiotics and bacterial pathogens, probiotic strains exposed to competitors in the lab could obtain an 'evolutionary head start', increasing their effectiveness in combating pathogens. This approach could result in a general strategy to improve the effectiveness of existing ...
Biomechanics and Biomimicry of Reptile Eggs: Insights into their functions and evolution Ghent University
Eggs are multifunctional structures that enabled vertebrates to colonize the land millions of years ago. Eggshell morphology is at the core of animal survival and has evolved into a massive diversity of forms and functions in modern reptiles. These functions may also serve as models for new antimicrobial and/or breathable membranes. But we still lack critical data on the chemical composition, ultrastructure, and material properties of reptile ...
Functional signals in the bone microstructure of flying vertebrates and their importance in understanding the evolution of powered flight in feathered dinosaurs Ghent University
New fossil discoveries of feathered dinosaurs in the last two decades have put the origin and
evolution of powered flight (propulsion with wing flapping) in birds into new scientific perspectives,
including discussions of an early four-winged flight configuration and secondary loss of flight in
different feathered theropod dinosaurs. Types of locomotion and other biological information like
growth ...
Characterization of hepatitis C virus infected B-lymphocytes and their impact on the evolution of acute infection and therapy outcome Ghent University
Worldwide an estimated 170 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and, after decades, have a significant risk at developing severe liver disease and liver cancer. Until recently therapy was accompanied with severe side effects and efficacies ranged from 50 to 70%. Recently HCV-specific direct antiviral agents increased efficacy rates to above 95% for most infected individuals. However, these therapies are ...
In vivo multidrug-tolerant persister cells and their evolution in the face of antibiotic treatment: genetic and physiological adaptation mechanisms. University of Antwerp
In vivo multidrug-tolerant persister cells and their evolution in the face of antibiotic treatment: genetic and physiological adaptation mechanisms KU Leuven
Antibiotics have revolutionized medical practice against life-threatening infectious diseases. However, the evolution of antibiotic resistance currently poses a major threat to health-care, leading to worldwide increased morbidity and mortality. In addition to resistance, it is becoming clear that antibiotic therapy failure in many bacteria also results from a subset of cells that have switched to an antibiotic-tolerant “persister” state. ...