Projects
A fast neutron bombardment mutant screen of Arabidopsis thaliana to reveal genes implicated in signalling of metal stress. Hasselt University
Identification and characterization of mutants with increased DNA stress resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays Ghent University
Plants are sessile organisms, meaning that in contrast to mammals they cannot escape adverse growth conditions such as drought, heat, excess UV radiation, etc. For this reason, they have evolved extensive mechanisms to safeguard their genomic integrity, in order to pass on an intact copy of their genome to the offspring. During this PhD, we aimed to learn more about cell cycle regulation, and more specifically about the molecular mechanism ...
Study of ubiquitination of the key proteins in the jasmonate signal transduction cascades of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana Ghent University
We will study E3 Ubiquitin ligases from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana that are putatively involved in jasmonate signalling. We aim to (1) identify their actual substrates, (2) acquire mechanistic insight in how they are regulated themselves,and interact and ubiquitinate these targets, and (3) phenotypically characterise Arabidopsis plants with altered expression in these E3 Ub ligases to establish their precise role at the whole plant ...
Cadmium-induced autophagy in Arabidopsis thaliana plants: Its involvement in accelerated senescence in mature leaves and acclimation in young ones Hasselt University
Cadmium-induced endoreduplication in Arabidopsis thaliana Hasselt University
Towards mapping key processes modulated by T-DNA ORFs from rhizogenic Agrobacterium during hairy root development in Arabidopsis thaliana KU Leuven
Rhizogenic agrobacteria cause hairy root disease (HRD) in several important hydroponically grown crops by transferring part of their DNA (T-DNA) into the plant’s genome. In my previous research, using a composite plant assay, I analyzed the plant root response upon T-DNA transformation and identified several signaling peptides having a role in hairy root development. I also confirmed that most of the T-DNA encoded proteins contributed, to ...
Identification of the targets of the RGLG-type E3 ubiquitin ligases from Arabidopsis thaliana Ghent University
The E3 ubiquitin ligases from the RGLG family in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana are involved in the signalling cascades triggered by the hormones auxin and jasmonate to modulate growth, development and defence. We will map the interactome of the RGLG proteins and identify targets or regulators. The role and functionality of the RGLG-interactors in phytohormone signalling will be assessed.