Projects
Metabolite dynamics and regulation of photosynthesis in the CAM orchid Phalaenopsis KU Leuven
This PhD project aims to provide more insights on the mechanistic regulation of plant physiological responses to different kinds of abiotic stress. As abiotic stress is considered a major factor in reducing global yields of food and feed production, it constitutes a major topic of concern in Europe and beyond. Therefore, it is essential to expand our knowledge about the possibilities to enhance abiotic stress resilience in plants. Because ...
PROMAX: Probing the mechanisms of malate efflux out of the vacuole to improve production of CAM ornamentals KU Leuven
Probing the mechanisms of malate efflux out of the vacuole during daytime in CAM plants KU Leuven
Many economically important ornamentals such as cacti, bromeliads, orchids, Kalanchoƫ, Euphorbia, Yucca, Sansevieria employ the photosynthetic Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway. A striking feature for these plants is main nocturnal carbon fixation yielding high concentrations of malic acid sequestered in the vacuole. During daytime malate and protons exit the vacuole and CO2 is released to be fixed by RUBISCO behind closed stomates, ...