Projects
The role of sugar supply and signalling in the regulation of maize leaf growth. University of Antwerp
Identifying and characterizing the ubiquitinylation substrates of the central leaf growth and senescence regulator, BIG BROTHER Ghent University
How plants grow from a small seed to their final stature appeals to the imagination of many
people. Plants are indispensable for our daily needs, therefore, it is crucial to understand the
mechanisms that drive plant growth and identify molecular links between genes that enhance final
leaf size and longevity. In this project, we will study the central growth regulator BIG BROTHER
(BB). BB limits ...
The role of ethylene in drought-induced leaf growth repression and cell cycle inhibition Ghent University
Leaf growth is a complex developmental process that is tightly regulated to react dynamically to
changing environmental conditions. Under drought stress, leaf growth is reduced to limit the
evaporative surface and save energy. In the last years, research conducted on Arabidopsis and
crops highlighted a role for the phytohormone ethylene in the regulation of cell division, leaf
growth and yield under drought. ...
The role of cell wall mechanic properties in the response of maize leaf growth to drought stress. University of Antwerp
Identification of the molecular networks involved in leaf growth through a systems biology approach Ghent University
Plant growth and the influence of the environment on this growth are important aspects of plant physiology. Despite the fundamental importance of plant growth little is known on the molecular networks that govern size and growth rate of organs such as leaves. This project aims to unravel the regulatory pathways that drive leaf growth in a systems biology approach.
The regulation of cell division in the growth zone of the maize leaf. University of Antwerp
Cold Response Dynamics in the Maize Leaf Growth Zone. University of Antwerp
Control of leaf growth by sugar and energy signaling Ghent University
Leaf growth is tightly controlled by an intrinsic genetic network, but also needs to respond to the continuously changing environment. Sugars integrate developmental and environmental signals and changes in sugar status trigger conserved signal mechanisms, involving the hexokinase glucose sensor and the Snf1-related kinase 1. In this project, we will investigate how sugar signaling controls leaf growth and final size in Arabidopsis ...
Involvement of gibberellins in the regulation of leaf growth upon drought stress in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Ghent University
Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting crop yield. An important adaptation to drought is leaf growth reduction. This project aims to study the role of gibberellins and DELLAs in this process, including the identification of upstream transcription factors and downstream target genes affecting cell division and/or expansion by growth analysis and molecular characterisation of mutn ants.