Projects
Molecular and biochemical characterization of the globin gene family in Caenorhabditis elegans Ghent University
In silico analysis revealed the presence of 33 globin genes in the genome of C. elegans. The purpose of the project is to unravel their functions. Therefore the following approaches will be performed: Localisation of expression using GFP-reporter constructs. Expression profiling under hypoxia. Phenotype analysis under gene silencing. Identification cloning of a subset of globins and subsequent biochemical study of their ligand binding ...
Novel regulators of SnRK1-mediated plant cellular energy signaling KU Leuven
Plants address the challenges of a continuously changing and stressful environment with a flexible physiology and development, governed by intricate sensing and signaling networks. Protein kinases typically function at the core of such networks. The plant SNF1-related kinase (SnRK) superfamily consists of three types of protein kinases: SnRK1, SnRK2 and SnRK3. SnRK1 is member of the evolutionarily conserved AMPK/SNF1/SnRK1 protein kinase ...
Targeting the lineage-specific long non-coding RNA LINC01212 as an effective anti-melanoma strategy. KU Leuven
Melanomas are aggressive malignant neoplasms of melanocytic origin, highly resistant to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As such, melanoma was viewed as an incurable beast for many decades and patients had virtually zero therapeutic options available. Fortunately, in the last few years major breakthroughs led to the introduction of effective therapies which significantly increased patients’ survival. Nonetheless, despite ...
Molecular genetics of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. University of Antwerp
Identification and validation of physiological substrates and interaction partners of PINK1 and LRRK2, 2 kinases linked to familial forms of Parkinson's disease. KU Leuven
The role of DNA methylation in locust swarming behaviour KU Leuven
All organisms can adjust their form and physiology to suit changes in their environment. Economically devastating locust swarms result from an extreme type of such “phenotypic plasticity”. Depending on population density, the locust genome can manifest as one of two very different phenotypic outcomes: a lone-living “solitarious phase” or a swarming “gregarious phase”. Gregarious behaviour can arise within hours of crowding, and is soon ...
Dolichol: An overlooked lipid in human health and disease KU Leuven
Genes encode proteins, that is a central dogma. However, many of these proteins need further tailoring to become fully functional. Glycosylation - the addition of ‘sugar trees’ to proteins - is one of the major modifications that occur in biology. The glycosylation pathway looks like an assembly line, with hundreds of workers and spare parts. By searching for novel genes in patients with a Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG) we ...
Study of the role of iodothyronine deiodinases in early brain development using gain and loss of function studies in the chick embryo. KU Leuven
UNRAVELING THE ROLE OF CHROMATIN REGULATORS DURING EARLY HUMAN EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT KU Leuven
Chromatin regulation is essential for lineage specification during embryonic development. However, despite advances in our understanding of chromatin processes in mammalian development, little is known about chromatin regulation in early human embryos. Here, I will use functional perturbations in human stem cell-based embryo models, and single-cell technologies, to understand the role of chromatin regulators in early human embryonic lineage ...