Projects
Mutational analysis of the glycosylation reactions catalysed by GH-13 Ghent University
Glycosylation can have a profound effect on the biological and physicochemical properties of a molecule. In this project, glycosylation reactions catalysed by GH-13 enzymes will be analysed by the systematic mutagenesis of aminoacids in their active site. Based on the obtained information, the enzymes will subsequently be optimised through enzyme engineering to increase their activity towards non-carbohydrate acceptors.
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Getting time on our side. Qualitative citation analysis of the pottery-based chronologies of Hellenistic Asia Minor (350-25 BCE). KU Leuven
In search of genetic modifiers for aortopathy in Loeys-Dietz families with a SMAD3 mutation. University of Antwerp
Improving multiplex digital PCR based nucleic acid quantification using data driven analysis tools Ghent University
Digital PCR allows higher order multiplexing compared to real time PCR, enabling simultaneous quantification of multiple targets for single cell research and for diagnosis of cancer mutations or infectious agents. These applications require an appropriate data analysis pipeline. We will tackle this unexplored field by designing 16-plex reactions for single cell analysis of macrophages and mutation detection in cancer.
Molecular genetic and functional analysis of the role of Wnt signaling in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and obesity. University of Antwerp
Genetic analysis of spore germination in group II Clostridium botulinum KU Leuven
Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic sporeforming bacterium that is notorious for producing a potent neurotoxin. Spores of C. botulinum can survive mild food processing treatments and subsequently germinate, multiply, produce toxin and cause botulism. Control of spore germination and outgrowth is therefore essential for the safety of mildly processed foods. However, little is known about the process of spore germination in group II C. ...
Genetic analysis in consanguineous families from Palestine : a focus on Cystic Fibrosis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta Ghent University
Identifying disease causing mutations using Next Generation Sequencing in families originating from Palestine with an initial focus on Cystic Fibrosis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Consequently, carrier testing in the family members based on primer extension technology followed by realtime PCR, will be performed and implemented at the lab in the Birzeit University. In a second stage, we will investigate other genetic disorders.