Projects
Assessing the delivery of valuable traits into crops (Zea mays) by protein interference Ghent University
The objective of this StarTT IOF project is to provide quantitative data on commercially valuable traits such as starch content and drought tolerance generated by the application of the protein interference (Pi) technology in crops (Zea mays) with the aim to secure a technology licensing deal for crop improvement and to deliver new IPR.
Analysis of the TOR kinase complex in organ growth of corn through functional interactomics. Ghent University
Cell proliferation and cell growth are two central aspects of organ growth in every living organism and largely depend on environmental conditions and nutrient availability. The genetic control of these processes determine final organ size and have to be tightly regulated. One of the major regulatory pathways involved in organ growth is controlled by the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) kinase, which translates environmental and nutritional ...
Anomalies in the leaf development of Vriesea and Guzmania KU Leuven
Guzmania and Vriesea (Bromeliaceae) are tough plants, resistant to drought and scarce nutrient supply. Their leaves are arranged into a ‘tank’ which catches and stores water and debris, and are covered by trichomes capable of absorbing water and nutrients from the tank solution. Because of these adaptations, unique for the Bromeliaceae family, they thrive as epiphytes growing on trees in South-America. However, when they are ...
Response of deep-sea biota to rapid global warming during the early Paleocene KU Leuven
The early Paleogene was characterized by temperatures higher than recent, especially at high latitudes. Superimposed on this warm background climate, several transient (<200 kyr) global warming episodes (hyperthermals) were demonstrated. The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum or PETM (56 Ma) was the most extreme of these warming events. The PETM is characterized by a warming of ~5°C and a negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) of ~3‰ in ...
Marine biomolecules in sea spray aerosol: bio-discovery for human health Ghent University
Oceans and seas contribute significantly to our health and wellbeing. This research project focuses on sea spray aerosols (SSA) and aims to understand how they affect human health. Primary SSA, formed by bubbles bursting from breaking waves, is together with mineral dust, the largest contributor to the total global aerosol mass. SSA can significantly impact human health as it can contain high concentrations of marine biogenic molecules. For ...
Framework: updating matrix vision of the city monitor Ghent University
The client wants to re-engage experts and academics in order to evaluate the matrix view and update their expertise. Specifically, the client wants to award the contract to a maximum of 12 different experts, who together go through a process. The steps to go through this process will be done using the Delphi method. This method is to be essentially composed of phases of written assessment of a particular subject, followed by exchanging the ...
Analysis and utilization of mass and photon transport phenomena in aerosol media KU Leuven
The world is transitioning towards green chemistries and sustainable processes. Playing a key role in many fields, aerosols can facilitate this transition due to their intrinsic properties. In chemical industry, mass transfer limitations are a main concern in reactor design and operation for multiphase reactions. Mass transfer limitations occur when diffusion rate of molecules is slower than reaction rate. These limitations decrease ...