This research will evaluate the potential of nematodes in vermicompost (composting via earthworm digestion) as an indicator of biological compost maturity. Also the effect of vermicompost on the soil and its interaction native soil fauna will be analyzed, this combined with entomopathogenic nematodes in both annual and perennial systems.
Membrane proteins compose about one-third of all human proteins and exert a wide range of important physiological and homeostatic functions. The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family is the largest family of membrane proteins (800 members), followed by ion channels and solute carrier transporters (SLCs) (both about 400 members). While 30% and 18% of currently approved small molecule drugs target GPCRs and ion channels respectively, only ...
In clinical drug development, “one dose fits all” is a key objective. However, variability in exposure and thus response is common and can result in suboptimal treatment of individual patients. To hit a predefined exposure target in each patient, “therapeutic drug monitoring” (TDM) is often implemented. TDM helps improving attainment of a desired exposure target by guiding individualised drug dosing based upon drug concentrations. “Population ...
Psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) being the two main subtypes, are chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, respectively. Together, these lifelong debilitating diseases affect up to 4% of the Western population and typically have a relapsing-remitting disease course that significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life. With the introduction ...
The human body is continuously exposed to mechanical
forces, both in and on the body. Understanding the
mechanical behavior of tissues in the body and their
interaction with medical devices is of critical importance
because it helps understanding diseases and injuries,
developing novel treatment strategies and medical devices,
and ensuring patient safety.
FIBEr, KU Leuven's core facility for Biomechanical ...
The understanding of the function, fate and behavior of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, (semi-)VOCs, in natural and technical environments is crucial to cope with several challenges related to sustainable development (SDGs) we face today in our society. Many of these compounds are important air and water contaminants and pose a significant threat to health and environment. They are also defense-related secondary metabolites in ...
There is an urgent need for novel products that lower the dependence on agrochemicals. Biological control organisms (BCOs) and priming are two approaches to boost plant innate immunity against biotic stressors. Popular priming compounds include pectin- and chitosan-derived oligosaccharides, OGs and COS, and recently levan-derived oligosaccharides (LOS) have also been shown to protect an array of plants against grey mold. We hypothesize that ...
Biological organisms are integrated ensembles of traits, which
comprise parts and properties in different body regions and levels of
organization. A longstanding idea in evolutionary theory is that traits
must be able to change quasi-independently of one another if
organisms are to evolve complex adaptations. Conversely, the
assumption that certain traits are adaptive has been criticized as
presupposing that ...