Projects
Charting the functional components of the diverse sexual life cycles in diatoms Ghent University
The most productive clade of eukaryotic algae, the diatoms, demonstrate a remarkable life cycle in which an inevitable cell size decline must be counteracted by sexual reproduction, through differentiation into a unique cell type called the auxospore. During the last 190 million years of evolution, a large range of sexual cell types and reproductive strategies have emerged within diatoms. Yet, the genetic programs controlling these life cycle ...
Substrate-mediated interactions between diatoms and bacteria in marine biofilms Ghent University
Associations between microalgae and bacteria represent one of the most important ecological relationships in aquatic microbial ecosystems In this proposal, we focus on the largely unknown diatom-bacteria interactions in marine biofilms We forward the general hypothesis that the high diversity observed in diatom-bacteria consortia in these systems is to a great extent mediated by specialized and species-specific interactions related to the ...
Re-investigation and lectotypification of O. Müller’s diatoms from East Africa: taxa from the genera Rhopalodia, Nitzschia, Sellaphora, Placoneis Meise Botanic Garden
Development of a forward genetic screen platform for diatoms based on mitotic recombination Ghent University
Diatoms are a species-rich group of microalgae with diverse metabolic capabilities and an immense potential for biotechnological application, including the production of biofuels, nutritional compounds and various heterologous molecules. However, the function of a large portion of diatom genes remains unknown. Unraveling the functions of these genes could unlock many novel diatom applications. Recently, we have discovered high mitotic ...
Biosynthesis of silica-titania photocatalysts using acidophilic diatoms. University of Antwerp
Sex signaling and life cycle evolution in pennate diatoms Ghent University
The goal of the project is to uncover the molecular mechanisms that regulate the life cycle of pennate diatoms. Identification of molecules involved in life cycle regulation that are directly influenced by environmental conditions will help to monitor and predict the consequences of global climate changes on diatom populations
The nature and evolution of pre- and postzygotic isolation in pennate diatoms Ghent University
Diatoms are the most species-rich group of eukaryotic microalgae and play a pivotal role in global carbon and silica cycles. They have a unique life cycle characterized by gradual vegetative cell size reduction. Sexual reproduction results in cell size restoration and is only possible below a species-specific size threshold, thus allowing diatoms to time their relative investments in asexual propagation and sexual reproduction. Similar to ...
Identification, functional characterization and evolution of genes and molecular-genetic mechanisms involved in mating type determination adn sexual reproduction in diatoms Ghent University
We will use the diatom model Seminavis to study the diatom life cycle and the molecular-genetic mechanisms which regulate mating type determination and sexual reproduction. We will use a suite of molecular tools to identify and functionally characterize the genes involved in these processes. We will then use the available diatom genomic resources to study the evolution of these genes within the diatoms.
The development of public culture collections of diatoms, polar cyanobacteria and mycobacteria and their further integration in the BCCM consortium. Ghent University
The development of public culture collections of diatoms, polar cyanobacteria and mycobacteria and their further integration in the BCCM consortium.
- BCCM/DCG, diatom collection:
The BCCM/DCG public collection is a small but dedicated collection currently containing 195 diatom strains belonging to 23 species, and is the only culture collection worldwide specialized in diatoms, the most species-rich and ...