Name Activity "Department of Biophysics" "Topic A: Improvement of resistance against stress in plants Investigation of enzyme activities and substrate concentrations as a function of degree of resistance against oxidative stress in tabaco and maize Development of stress resistant crops by molecular improvement Topic B: Photosynthesis Investigation of photosynthetic capacity of genetically transformed maize and tabaco plants in which one or a number of enzymes involved in the resistance against oxygen radicals are over-expressed." "Environmental Biology" "Jaco VANGRONSVELD" "The group Enviromental Biology has a longstanding experience (since 1976) in the field of heavy metal uptake by plants, the effects of toxic metal concentrations on plants and the transfer of metals to the food chain. The group was involved in several projects concerning the zinc, cadmium and lead contamination in the region Balen, Lommel, Overpelt in the the zinc smelter contaminated area in the north-east of Belgium. They started with laboratory and in situ studies on phytoremediation (phytostabilization and phytoextraction) of heavy metal contaminated soils in 1985 and is involved in several national and international projects and collaborations in this field. Phytoremediation of organics also belongs to the research area of the group, especially on nitroaromatics, oils and BTEX. Special attention is paid to the interaction between plants and plant-associated micro-organisms (mycorrhiza and bacteria).Biological tests for the evaluation of soil toxicity were developed. These activities are practical applications based on the fundamental research program of the laboratory. The latter is concentrated on the (eco-)physiological, cellular and molecular effects and sequence of events after application of pollutants to plants and mycorrhiza. Studies of defence and tolerance mechanisms against heavy metals are also part of the fundamental research program. Special attention is paid to subcellular localisation of both contaminants and defence systems. This research program is performed on several plant species, from which certain species are genetically transformed. " "Plant Genetics" "Geert Angenon" "Research in the Laboratory of Plant Genetics concerns basic plant molecular genetics as well as applied research relevant to the plant biotechnology and agricultural sector. The research is focused on the following themes: · DNA repair and recombination mechanisms and methods to influence these processes. This may lead to development of improved plant breeding techniques, improved plant transformation technology and new techniques for functional analysis of genes. · Amino acid metabolism in plants and its regulation. Knowledge in this field is applied in new strategies to enhance the content of essential amino acids in food and feed crops and thus to enhance the nutritional value of these crops. · Adaptation mechanisms of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, with the long-term objective to create plant varieties with enhanced tolerance to these stress factors. · Molecular farming: the production of valuable proteins, including vaccines, in plant seeds. For our fundamental research we make use of model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Medicago truncatula and Nicotiana spp. whereas applied research concerns important crops including rice, sorghum, potato, bean and pigeonpea." "Research Institute: Centre for Environmental Sciences" "Robert MALINA" "Research From the beginning, and also for the future, CMK has opted for a well-considered combination of and symbiosis between high-qualitative fundamental environment-related research and applied research with financing coming from the different money flows (2nd, 3rd, 4th). CMK participates in European framework programmes, in research programmes for international bilateral cooperation, in BOF projects (Special Research Fund), in FWO projects (Fund for Scientific Research), IWT (The Institute for the promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders), Belspo/DWTC (Belgian Science Policy/federal services for science policy), the Ministry of Small Enterprises, Traders and Agriculture, OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders), the Department LNE (Department of Environment, Nature and Energy of the Flemish Government), VMM (Flemish Environment Agency), and so on. Moreover, specific research programmes are carried out in cooperation with the industry. The development of the full spectrum from fundamental to applied research offers several opportunities, such as among other things the reinforcement of the critical mass, obtaining equipment and the efficient use of it, ''buffer capacity'' in function of cyclical fluctuations and so on so that there are enough possibilities for the realization of an effective scientific output, potential economic valorisation of research results and participation in international networks. Education The members of the CMK participate in the education in different disciplines (sciences, life sciences, applied economic sciences, transportation sciences) and the training of young, promising researchers during internships, theses, doctoral researches and post-doctoral trainings. Moreover, CMK aims at a clear feedback of the research to the very diverse educational assignments of the CMK members. The scientific and technological expertise of the CMK has to be used optimally for the scientific training of academics. Training young, promising researchers also contributes to the scientific and economic development of the region. Moreover, the PAV training (post-academic training) Environmental Co-ordinator level A, organised by the CMK, is a training with a high social relevance. The association University and University Colleges Limburg also undertakes educational tasks. Scientific services Scientific services are carried out in the fields that follow naturally from the research expertise. Advice is given to governments, companies and private persons concerning topics that fit in with the different activity fields of the CMK. Most of the members also undertake (policy) tasks in various organisations outside the institute."