Publications
Integrative multi-omics analyses of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) roots and leaves reveal how the halophyte land plant copes with sea water KU Leuven
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is able to grow and complete its life cycle while being rooted in highly saline soils. Which of the many well-known salt-tolerance strategies are combined to fine-tune this remarkable resilience is unknown. The precise location, whether in the shoot or the root, where these strategies are employed remains uncertain, leaving us unaware of how the various known salt-tolerance mechanisms are integrated to ...
Phenotyping, genetics, and "-omics" approaches to unravel and introgress enhanced resistance against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) in apple cultivars (Malus x domestica) KU Leuven
Apple scab disease, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, endangers commercial apple production globally. It is predominantly managed by frequent fungicide sprays that can harm the environment and promote the development of fungicide-resistant strains. Cultivation of scab-resistant cultivars harboring diverse qualitative Rvi resistance loci and quantitative trait loci associated with scab resistance could reduce the chemical footprint. A ...
Enhanced protein secretion in reduced genome strains of Streptomyces lividans KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: S. lividans TK24 is a popular host for the production of small molecules and the secretion of heterologous protein. Within its large genome, twenty-nine non-essential clusters direct the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. We had previously constructed ten chassis strains, carrying deletions in various combinations of specialized metabolites biosynthetic clusters, such as those of the blue actinorhodin (act), the calcium-dependent ...
Proteomic and Low-Polar Metabolite Profiling Reveal Unique Dynamics in Fatty Acid Metabolism during Flower and Berry Development of Table Grapes KU Leuven
Grapevine development and ripening are complex processes that involve several biochemical pathways, including fatty acid and lipid metabolism. Fatty acids are essential components of lipids, which play crucial roles in fruit maturation and flavor development. However, the dynamics of fatty acid metabolism in grape flowers and berries are poorly understood. In this study, we present those dynamics and investigate the mechanisms of fatty acid ...
Unravelling the diversity in water usage among wild banana species in response to vapour pressure deficit KU Leuven
The rise in global temperature is not only affecting plant functioning directly, but is also increasing air vapour pressure deficit (VPD). The yield of banana is heavily affected by water deficit but so far breeding programs have never addressed the issue of water deficit caused by high VPD. A reduction in transpiration at high VPD has been suggested as a key drought tolerance breeding trait to avoid excessive water loss, hydraulic failure and ...
The BananaTainer: a high throughput phenotyping installation to explore Musa’s growth potential in the East African highlands KU Leuven
The East African highlands, a densely populated area in the African Great Lakes region, are located at high altitudes (900-2000 m a.s.l.) and characterized by relatively low average temperatures (17-25°C). Banana (Musa spp.) is an important component of its production landscape, contributing in Uganda to up to 80% of the caloric intake. However, above 1500 m a.s.l. the relatively low ambient temperatures slow down the production and the on-farm ...
Pharmacokinetics during therapeutic hypothermia in neonates: from pathophysiology to translational knowledge and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling KU Leuven University of Antwerp
INTRODUCTION: Perinatal asphyxia (PA) still causes significant morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the only effective therapy for neonates with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after PA. These neonates need additional pharmacotherapy, and both PA and TH may impact physiology and, consequently, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). AREAS COVERED: This review provides an overview of the available ...
Proteomic and metabolomic integration reveals the effects of pre-flowering cytokinin applications on central carbon metabolism in table grape berries KU Leuven
Consumers around the world prefer high quality table grapes. To achieve higher quality traits at ripening, grapevine producers apply different plant growth regulators. The synthetic cytokinin forchlorfenuron N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU) is widely used, its effect on grape quality is poorly understood. We hypothesized that the use of CPPU in pre-flowering can lead to changes in the metabolism that affects grape quality at ...