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 ...
Trehalose-6-fosfaat (T6P), een nieuwe regulator van de SnRK1-energiesensor in planten als doelwit voor het verhogen van de stresstolerantie. KU Leuven
The SnRK1 (SNF1-related kinase1) protein kinase, the ortholog of the yeast SNF1 (Sucrose non-fermenting1) kinase and animal AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), acts as a key metabolic sensor in plants. It integrates both endogenous developmental cues and diverse environmental stress conditions, that affect photosynthesis, respiration, or carbon allocation, triggering a coordinated response to ensure the maintenance of cellular energy homeostasis and ...
Mechanisms involved in fructan mediated priming KU Leuven
Fructans (synthesized by FTs) is occurring in 15% of plant species (e.g. chicory) but yet fructan exohydrolases (FEHs) occur in all plants. To better understand the function of these enzymes, the subcellular localization and sorting determinants of selected FTs and FEHs will be deeper investigated in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts (expected intracellular localization) and by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Sorting ...
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 ...
Characterization of growth regulatory protein complexes in plants via multi-functional TAP technology. Ghent University
Proteins are one of the key components in the complex regulatory networks that underlie biological processes. Although some work independently, most proteins form interactions with other proteins or macromolecules, such as RNA and DNA, to perform their function. To aid functional annotation in plants in a system-wide manner, a wide variety of techniques have been constructed over the years
(Chapter 1), which often imply a ...
Subcellular Ca2+ signalling microdomains regulating cardiomyocyte growth and functions KU Leuven
Blood circulation is allowed by the pumping role of the heart, the major vital organ of the human body. The heart is a muscle able to beat independently of the central nervous system thank to its electrical activity. Indeed, the excitation/contraction of the heart involved the propagation of an electrical influx, the action potential, through a large array of protein structures referred to as ion channels. The autonomous cardiac and ...
Subcellular Ca2+ signalling microdomains regulating cardiomyocyte growth and function KU Leuven
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 ...
Isolation and characterisation of genes affecting low temperature growth in Serratia plymuthica RVH1 KU Leuven
Refrigerated foods are one of the most rapidly growing segments in the food industry. Refrigerated storage is necessary because these foods are perishable and can support growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage or foodborne disease. Psychrotrophy, i.e. the ability to grow at temperatures below 4 °C, is widespread among bacteria of diverse phylogenetic lineages, but often varies at the genus, species or even strain level. The ...