Projects
Understanding biotic stresses in plant roots through molecular interactomics in tomato Ghent University
Tomato roots are continuously challenged by organisms living in its rhizosphere, such as nematodes, fungi and bacteria. Protein-protein interactions are essential in the establishment of these relations. Therefore, we will develop a platform to visualise and map the protein interaction network that determines the response of tomato roots to these biotic cues and identify key elements therein.
Bridging microscopy with nanotechnology and interactomics to probe the membrane microenvironment of distinct y-secretase complexes in cells and neurons and to identify complex-specific interactors KU Leuven
γ-Secretase processes amyloid precursor protein to generate amyloid peptides that play a key role in Alzheimer’s disease. γ-Secretase comes in different flavors due to the existence of different subunit homologues/isoforms. We hypothesize that this heterogeneity is reflected in distinct locations in the cell/neuron that might form a basis.
Analysis of the TOR kinase complex in organ growth of corn through functional interactomics. Ghent University
Cell proliferation and cell growth are two central aspects of organ growth in every living organism and largely depend on environmental conditions and nutrient availability. The genetic control of these processes determine final organ size and have to be tightly regulated. One of the major regulatory pathways involved in organ growth is controlled by the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase, which translates environmental and nutritional ...
Unraveling IRE1 endonuclease activity and its role in regulating cell fate: an interactomics approach. Ghent University
The Inositol Requiring Enzyme 1 α (IRE1α) is one of the key mediators of the unfolded protein response, an evolutionary conserved homeostatic response aimed at balancing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein synthesis and protein folding capacities to the needs of the cell. IRE1α, via the endonuclease activity in its cytoplasmic tail, plays essential roles in physiology as a regulator of the secretory pathway. Accumulating evidence moreover ...
Analysis and mining of signaling complexes using contemporary interactomics Ghent University
Protein interactions fulfil a critical role in a cell and their dysregulation contributes to human disease. We will apply an unique technology U+201CtoolboxU+201D comprising MAPPIT, PPI-iMixPro and VIROTRAP, combined with state-of-the-art bioinformatics approaches, to gain new insights into the (patho)fysiological roles of selected protein interactions. In addition, we will use nanobodies as intrabodies to disturb protein interactions in ...
Interactomics analysis of the replication of Flaviviridae: in search of novel druggable targets KU Leuven
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a positive stranded RNA virus that primary targets liver cells of its infected patients. A long-term undetected infection, can convert to a chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and eventually liver failure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) yearly 670.000 deaths are caused by HCV out of approximately 110 million people (antibody positive) infected ...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa / bacteriophage interactomics: Identification of new bacterial targets and antimicrobial molecules. KU Leuven
the near future.
Strictly lytic ...
Spatial-temporal dissection of organelle-specific y-secretase interactomes using nanotechnology KU Leuven
From the moment Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causing mutations were discovered in the PSEN genes, its protein products, presenilins (PSEN), have been in the center of attention for AD research. While their function as the catalytic component of the tetrameric intramembrane protease, γ-secretase, was described, pieces of the puzzle started coming together. However, decades later, many questions remain about its biology, exact role in the ...
Development of density-functional-theory based interatomic potentials for ternary Fe-based alloys consistent with thermodynamics for radiation effect studies. Ghent University
Modelling at the atomic scale of ternary iron-based alloys of technological interest, such as FeCrNi, FeCuC, FeNiMn, FeCrW and FeCrMo. A study within density functional theory of the interaction between point defects and soluted atoms, extended to thermodynamical properties. Derivation of interatomic potentials consistent with DFT energetics and phase stability indications, as well as experimental phase diagram data.