Projects
Developmental perspectives in relation to perinatal stress in prematurely born children KU Leuven
This project aims to develop a perinatal stress calculator, based on the measurement of different neonatal, endocrinological, psychological and physiological stress-related parameters. The goal is to calculate differences in outcome in terms of motor, cognitive, visual and socio-emotional development in ex-premature children, as a starting point for early therapy. In a first phase, various pre- and perinatal parameters have already been ...
Study of the role of selection history on the association between developmental instability and stress and fitness: habitat islands as model system Ghent University
The aim of this project is to study to what extent the selection history of a trait affects relationships between the level of fluctuating asymmetry in tarsus length and environmental stress in a suite of Afrotropical bird species. More particular, the question is addressed whether directional selection may cause developmental instability due to the loss of canalizing modifiers.
Visiting Postdoct. Fellow for the FWO-project: "Study of the role of selection history on the association between developmental instability and stress and fitness: habitat islands as model system". (Chavali VISHALAKSHI, India) University of Antwerp
Study of the role of selection history on the association between developmental instability and stress and fitness: habitat islands as model system. University of Antwerp
Study of developmental homeostasis in relation to different kinds of stress: Developmental and evolutionary consequences. University of Antwerp
The ecological significance of developmental stress: how early life experiences shape a resistant phenotype. University of Antwerp
The effect of perinatal stress on the development of preterm infants KU Leuven
Worldwide, more than 10% of all babies are born preterm (< 37 weeks of gestation). In the global burden of disease, preterm birth complications account for 3.1% of all Disability Adjusted Life Years (i.e. the amount of years of healthy life lost due to death and non-fatal impairment or illness) which is in the same order of magnitude such as HIV/AIDS (Murray et al.; 2013). Advances in neonatal care, such as the use of antenatal ...
Columella-specific ethylene biosynthesis drives root development during abiotic stress responses KU Leuven
The plant hormone ethylene regulates many developmental processes, and is involved in responses towards (a)biotic stress. Often stress leads to an enhanced ethylene production, which in turn steers developmental plasticity. However, how local ethylene production in one tissue controls the development of other tissues remains practically unstudied.
Ethylene is known to inhibit primary root growth and does this through hormonal ...