Projects
The fructan syndrome in the tree of life: from structure to function KU Leuven
Fructans, naturally occurring fructose based polysaccharides, can act
as native immunity triggers, both in humans and animals (oral intake:
prebiotics) and in plants (leaf spraying: defense priming). They are
produced by fructosyl transferase enzymes belonging to the GHJ
class. Through genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, we
will further explore the GHJ class in the tree of life, with special focus
on ...
The role of sugar sensing and sugar metabolism during developmental and induced leaf senescence. KU Leuven
Green Science, Technology and Innovation from the South: an interdisciplinary, ethnographic study of organic pesticide production (pyrethrum) in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania Ghent University
This project proposes an interdisciplinary, ethnographic study of organic pesticide production (pyrethrum) in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Pyrethrum is a pesticide component derived from the chrysanthemum plant species. The yellow heart of the so-called ‘killer daisy’ contains a natural toxin called pyrethrin that is used to produce organic pesticides and insecticides. The premise of this project is that an ethnographic exploration of the ...
Green Science, Technology and Innovation from the South: an interdisciplinary, ethnographic study of organic pesticide production (pyrethrum) in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania KU Leuven
This project proposes an interdisciplinary, qualitative, ethnographic study of organic pesti-cide production (pyrethrum) in Kenya and Tanzania. Pyrethrum is a pesticide component derived from the chrysanthemum plant species. The yellow heart of the so-called ‘killer daisy’ contains a natural toxin called pyrethrin that is used to produce organic pesticides and insecticides. The premise of this project is that an ethnographic exploration of ...
Drinking Water Distribution Network (DWDN) biomes: detecting the effect of changing environments in the occurrence of problematic bacterial strains linked to the presence of higher organisms. Ghent University
The Flemish drinking water companies can provide safe and qualitative drinking water when leaving the treatment plants. While we aim to maintain this quality during distribution, the introduction or regrowth of unwanted bacteria, that could affect odor and taste or even be harmful to human health, is still a recurring problem for the drinking water distribution networks. Today, most research is only focusing on the microbial component, while ...
Selective Harvest Potential Based on Cereal Mycotoxin Content Assessment (POSHMyCo) Ghent University
Fusarium species are the main cause of trichothecene type B contamination in cereals. F. graminearum is considered to be the predominant pathogen causing Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in many countries. FHB can also cause indirect loss, because the fungus contaminates grain with potent mycotoxins, especially deoxynivalenol. Mycotoxins are considered to have a significant impact on food and feed safety. Currently producers do not ...
FasciCoM-Emergence of fascioliasis in a global setting: development and validation of a transmission model to identify cost-effective control strategies Ghent University
Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease caused by the zoonotic worm species Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. This disease affects the liver of mammalian hosts and is primarily known for its high burden and associated economic impact in livestock. However, during the last decades, fascioliasis has also become an emerging problem for public health. Today, 2.4 million people are estimated to be infected, and over 180 million people at risk in ...
Does liana proliferation cool down tropical forests? Ghent University
Tropical forests are critical for the global carbon cycle as they are responsible for a significant uptake of the carbon emissions and store the equivalent of about 40 years of today’s annual fossil-fuel emissions. However, they are threatened by increasing anthropogenic pressures which cause large-scale structural changes, the most important of which could be the increase of lianas (woody vines). As liana abundance negatively impacts the ...
Unleashing lignin valorization potential via consecutive mild soda extraction, mixed metal oxide catalyzed hydrogenolysis and high resolution 2D chromatography. Ghent University
Due to environmental concern and human impact on climate change, the focus in chemical technology has shifted heavily towards the replacement of fossil resources with greener alternatives. Lignin, a polymer-like structure, consisting of functionalised aromatic units, that together with cellulose and hemicellulose forms the cell wall of woody plants, gained a lot of attention because of this. Currently, vast amounts of lignin are produced as ...