Projects
Regulation and interaction between the morphological switch and the mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL) production in the yeast Pseudozyma aphidis DSM70725. University of Antwerp
OMEGA EXTRACT: Downstream processing of photo-autologous microalgae to high-grade omega-3 rich algae oils on pilot scale: properties and application possibilities. KU Leuven
The objective of the present OMEGA-EXTRACT project is to downstream the processing of photo-autologous microalgae into stable omega-3 rich algae oil with added value over the classic omega-3 oils, and this on pilot scale (10-15 l).
Regulation of Ras by glycolytic flux: screen for interfering compounds and physiological relevance. KU Leuven
In this work, we further develop our hypothesis, which poses that high-rate glycolytic metabolism stimulates Ras activation, via the highly controlled glycolytic intermediate fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (Fru1,6bisP). It is well established that oncogenic Ras activity stimulates the glycolytic flux. Hence, Fru1,6bisP-induced Ras activation might close a reciprocal stimulatory/feedback loop that locks cancer metabolism in a state that favors ...
Dissecting sublethal injury and resuscitation phenomena inflicted by mild food processing in the low infectious dose foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 KU Leuven
A population of isogenic microorganisms residing in a homogeneous environment shows a significant amount of phenotypic heterogeneity resulting in cells with identical genetic predispositions displaying a variety of different phenotypes. A striking example of this phenotypic heterogeneity reveals itself in the typical observation that only a small isogenic subpopulation is able to survive exposure to stresses that kill the majority of their ...
Antimicrobial mechanism of trans-cinnamaldehyde and other essential oil compounds in Listeria monocytogenes KU Leuven
Natural antimicrobials enjoy an increasing interest in view of the trend towards healthy, minimally processed food that has a natural image and a conveniently long shelf life. They can be integrated in a hurdle concept of multiple mild food preservation strategies, which address the challenges of this trend in terms of microbiological stability and safety. Studies on natural food preservatives have so far been mainly descriptive, reporting ...
Insight into the germination mechanism of psychrotrophic group II Clostridium botulinum (type E) spores KU Leuven
Clostridium botulinum is a strictly anaerobic spore-forming bacterium, and produces the most deadly toxin known, the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Therefore, food contaminated with (spores of) this pathogen constitutes an important threat to humans and animals. Bacterial spores are highly resistant dormant structures that are resilient against many hostile conditions like heat, dryness, lack of nutrients, UV, chemicals and oxygen. ...
The genetic basis of bacterial invasion into a microbial community. A determinant for the success of microbial biotechnology. KU Leuven
Exploring interspecific yeast breeding for industrial application KU Leuven
With an annual worldwide production exceeding 1.96 billion hectolitre, beer is by far the most produced and consumed fermented beverage. More so, it is considered to be the third most consumed beverage worldwide (after water and tea). Traditionally, beer can be divided into two general styles, namely top-fermented (‘ale’) beer and bottom-fermented (‘lager’) beer.
Lager (or Pilsner type) beer accounts for 90% of the total beer ...
Striking Essential Oil: Novel tools and new insights to study the biological activities of essential oils (EOs) and their components (EOCs) KU Leuven
The increasing level of antimicrobial resistance poses the threat that no suitable antimicrobials will be available for systematic treatment of common diseases. More and more Candida infections are caused by intrinsically and multi-resistant Candida isolates. There is clearly renewed scientific interest in discovering drugs from natural sources, although natural product-based drug discovery is considered intrinsically ...