Projects

The crucial function of peroxisomes for vision is illustrated by the fact that prominent ophthalmological pathology, including retinopathy, occurs in nearly all peroxisomal diseases. Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles that play an essential role in oxygen and lipid metabolism, but their precise contribution to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis is still largely obscure. According to our preliminary data, the retina of mice with ...

Here, our project has the ambition to understand the mechanisms of adaptation, in particular the

plasticity of animal organisms (insects) to an increase in temperature, and this in the context of

climate change. We have chosen to work with bumblebees, as model organisms, as they are

essential pollinators in natural and managed ecosystems, their genome is known, and they have the

physiologically unique feature to adapt ...

Neurotrauma and degeneration diminish life quality in our aging society and lead to impairments, mainly because the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals lacks the robust capacity to regenerate. Despite intensive research, induction of long-distance axonal regeneration and functional recovery of the damaged CNS remain a challenge. Although neuroinflammation has been put forward as a mechanism to trigger axonal regeneration in the CNS, ...

The mitochondria are inextricably linked to the process of aging. Whether through the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), peptidergic signals or otherwise, mitochondrial signaling can potently enhance lifespan and health in a multitude of species. Despite the mitochondria’s apparent and central role in modulating aging, many open questions remain on the subject of how this signaling exactly occurs. For example, many nodes in the ...

Our overarching goal is to unravel the cellular and molecular players that link inflammation to proper axonal regeneration. Thereto, we will use an
inflammatory optic nerve injury model in mice and apply an innovative proteomics approach on retina and optic nerve.

The aim of this project is to find a link between seeing and touch. The research is done in visual systems in rodents where we will try to achieve an integration of visual and tactile signals.

RNAi is an advanced specific post-transcriptional gene silencing method; its discovery in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans resulted in the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2006, illustrating its wide scientific impact. During the first RNAi decade, scientists also recognized its potential for useful applications, including crop protection. Especially the fact that RNAi may specifically target certain pest insects without causing ...

Ageing is seen as a gradual decline in function over time, thought to be due to the accumulation of molecular damage, and ultimately leading to death. Pioneering studies almost two decades ago showed that manipulating biological pathways could increase the lifespan of an organism by more than half and it is now generally accepted that ageing is under biological control. Since then, ageing research has progressed tremendously. However, many ...