Projects
A new osmotic membrane-microbial electrolysis cell (OMEC) technology for sustainable wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and energy production Ghent University
Global demand for water, food, and energy are projected to grow dramatically in the next decades. Forward osmosis (FO) membrane processes have been emerging as an effective tool for water reuse, resource recovery, and energy harvesting from wastewater. This study aims to develop new technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment/reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy production. A new FO membrane with more beneficial properties compared to ...
Identification of transcription factors involved in osmotic stress through CHAP-MS in plants. Ghent University
Osmotic stress (drought, salt) is the most limiting abiotic stress for plant yield. To gain insight in the molecular networks that govern osmotic stress tolerance, we will isolate the transcription factors through chromatin affinity purification. Five transcription factors will be selected for futher functional analysis and their target genes and impact on the resilience against mild osmotic stress will be evaluated.
Unraveling molecular mechanisms regulating growth under mild osmotic stress through the identification of chemical compounds using quantitative plant phenotyping Ghent University
The aim of this project is to unravel the molecular mechanisms regulating plant growth inhibition upon mild osmotic stress by combining quantitative phenotyping and chemical genetics. A high-throughput imaging platform will allow to identify small molecules positively affecting shoot growth under mild osmotic stress. Promising compounds will then be used as chemical tools to study molecular mechanisms.
Exploring the phloem translocation pathway by quantifying phloem hydraulic conductivity and gradients in phloem turgor and osmotic pressure in both trees and herbs Ghent University
Gradients in phloem turgor and osmotic pressure will be measured by aphid stylets in herbaceous species and trees. Both the magnitude of these gradients and their response to changing environmental conditions (light/dark and drought stress) will be quantified. Finally, the gradient dynamics will be related to the overall plant behaviour by applying a mechanistic model describing carbon and water transport.