Projects

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Identification of cell wall ligands for the root hair growth regulator ERULUS. University of Antwerp

Sébastjen Schoenaers
Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES)
Plant cell growth ultimately relies on controlled loosening/strengthening of the cell wall, yielding a matrix that is not too stiff, yet not too loose. Plants have evolved specific mechanisms to sense and control cell wall composition and rigidity, in the form of cell wall binding receptor proteins. In this regard, the Catharanthus roseus Receptor-like Kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) family of plant proteins has gained major attention during recent ...

The ontogenetic control of leaf epinasty during abiotic stress in tomato KU Leuven

Bram Van de Poel
Division of Crop Biotechnics

Plants suffer from all kinds of biotic and abiotic stress conditions, which are often regulated by the plant hormone ethylene. One of the most enigmatic abiotic stress responses is epinasty, which is the downwards bending of the leaves. Leaf epinasty is observed in many important crops including tomato, and is often the result of root hypoxia and/or salinity stress. Our preliminary results have showed that epinasty is developmentally ...

Regulation of root hair development by the plant hormone auxin through the receptor-like kinase ERULUS and modulation of cell wall enzyme activity. University of Antwerp

Kris Vissenberg
Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES)
The main function of plant roots is to forage for soil resources. Root hairs, tubular extensions of the root's outer cell layer, represent 70% of the root surface area and are the primary site of water and nutrient uptake. When grown in specific soil conditions, mutants with shorter root hairs have reduced plant fitness. Understanding how factors like the plant hormone auxin control root hair development are therefore critical to optimise ...

Creation of an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for Cd, Cu and Zn mixture toxicity on Arabidopsis roots. University of Antwerp

Kris Vissenberg
Institutional Research Unit, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES)
Metal contamination is a major environmental concern in many industrialized and developing countries since metals enrich in the food chain, creating threats for human and animal health. Metal-risk assessments in soil are mostly based on the effects of single metals, while contaminated soils are frequently characterized by multi-metal contaminations. Even though metals may cause no or very limited observable effects when applied individually, the ...

Aluminum toxicity in plants, understanding responses to aluminum in sensitive and tolerant rye genotypes University of Antwerp

Han Asard
Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES)
Aluminum (Al) is an important toxic heavy metal, considerable reducing plant growth and crop production, in particular in acidic soils, worldwide. Rye (Secale cereale), is a crop particularly known for its tolerance to acidic soils, and to Al. Therefore, understanding the Al-tolerance mechanism, at the molecular, mechanistic level, will provide a basis for tolerance-improvement, also for other crops. Previously (3 years PhD work by the ...

BELAIR HESBANIA 2017 Hasselt University

Roland VALCKE
Molecular and Physical Plant Physiology
The aim of the UHasselt section of the HESBANA-project is to study the impact of fertilisation, irrigation and verticulation on the photosynthetic process of different crops (strawberries, apple and pear). De physiological response of the plant on these abiotic stresses will be evaluated using several non-invasive techniques: in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, including the fast fluorescence induction kinetics, quenching analyses and fluorescence ...

Exploiting Next Generation Sequencing to identify key-players in Arabiodopsis thaliana hypocotyl expansion. University of Antwerp

Kris Vissenberg
Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES)
This project aims to increase our knowledge on the regulation of plant cell elongation, as it shapes plant size and form and determines primary biomass production. Arabidopsis thaliana will serve as model plant and the hypocotyl will be used to identify key-players in the regulation of (cell) elongation.The hypocotyl's elongation is very prominent in the dark, but upon perception of light, elongation is rapidly inhibited. We have identified and ...

Accelerating evolution: engineering invertase enzymes to enhance fructan metabolism in Musa spp. (banana) KU Leuven

Wim Van den Ende
Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms

The equatorial countries of sub-saharan Africa have the highest worldwide mortality rates, primarily caused by infectious disease. Those who are immunosuppressed, including children, the elderly and the sick, are particularly at risk. Improving sanitation, and boosting the immune system with vaccination or improved diet, have been key for continuing to combat this issue.

Short-chain low-digestible carbohydrates (LDCs), act as human ...

Physiological and environmental controls of water and ozone fluxes in a short rotation poplar plantation: from leaf to tree to ecosystem scale (Physio-Pop). University of Antwerp

Reinhart Ceulemans
Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) - Ecology in a time of change
One of the consequences of global climate changes is the altered global water availability. Among the greenhouse gases (GHGs) causing global climate changes, carbon dioxide (CO2) has received most attention. Over the last decennia the impact of rising CO2 concentrations on crops has been widely studied. The study of tropospheric ozone (O3) and its consequences on crops has not been as extensive, although O3 is a widespread and damaging air ...

The metabolism of plants grown in vitro on cultivation medium with protein as a sole source of nitrogen. Hasselt University

Roland VALCKE
Molecular and Physical Plant Physiology
On June 11, 2015 the Research Council has approved the short stay of dr. Veronika Hýsková (Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic) at UHasselt chargeable to the BOF-program 'Short Stays'. During his stay, dr. Veronika Hýskovál will perform research in collaboration with prof. Roland Valcke (research group MFPF). The stay will take place in 2015.