Projects
Memory and hysteresis in a simple eukaryotic transcriptional network. KU Leuven
The emergence of intelligence – the ability to remember and analyze data to make decisions – was a milestone in evolution. Intelligence is usually associated with multicellular organisms, but new discoveries hint that the seeds of intelligence are rooted in molecular mechanisms that emerged in microbes. Specifically, studies show that microbes can show plastic behavioral responses to past experiences, such as previously available nutrients. ...
Vaginal lactobacilli in the prevention of HSV-2 infection. KU Leuven
Humans live in symbiosis with a tremendous number of bacteria, collectively referred to as the microbiota, that play a key role in several host physiological processes and health. While the gut microbiota has received plenty of attention the past decades, the vaginal microbiota is only recently gaining interest as a crucial player in female and reproductive health. The vaginal microbiota of most healthy women is generally dominated by ...
The Crabtree effect shapes Saccharomyces cerevisiae lag phase KU Leuven
Cells from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae experience a lag phase
when switching from growth in the preferred carbon source, glucose, to an
alternative one. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this observed
temporary arrest in growth, such as differences in metabolic fluxes or protein
inheritance from mother to daughter cells. However, very little is known about
the key factors ...
Network-based intergration strategy to leverage dedicated analysis with public knowledge KU Leuven
The omics revolution has introduced new challenges when studying interesting phenotypes. High throughput omics technologies such as next-generation sequencing and microarray technologies generate large sets of data for a single wet-lab experiment. Interpreting the resulting data from these experiments is not trivial due to the data size and the inherent noise of the underlying technologies. In addition to this, all these data lead to an ever ...
An integrated prediction system for genomic selection (type 1) Ghent University
Genomic selection is the term used for all methods and techniques that allow to predict the (future) agronomic performance of a plant or animal from its dense molecular fingerprint. This project aims to develop and implement a genomic prediction methodology that is applicable on an industrial scale. Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space (RKHS) regression kernels are to be integrated in a linear mixed model framework which allows the estimation of ...
Soil Fertility, Food Security and Gender in Central Africa. KU Leuven
The potato cyst nematode GLOBODERA Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
This research focuses on quarantaine nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida, the potato cyst nematode. The aim is to use the necessary theoretical and applied knowledge about these nematodes to achieve a targeted management of infestation foci, as well as reduced introduction and spread. A first condition (and research purpose) is the development of efficient ...
DNA repeats as hypervariable genomic elements. KU Leuven
Forward flight aerodynamics for the KUlibrie, a tailless flapping wing micro aerial vehicle KU Leuven
Insect-like flight has been a topic of interest to researchers for many years. Due to the low Reynolds number at insect scale, the flapping motion of the wings can achieve much higher angles of attack without flow separation as compared to fixed wings such as on aircraft. This allows for more efficient lift production compared to rotor or fixed wing aerial vehicles. Small scale drones for inspection of industrial plants with limited space and ...