Projects
Molecular insights in the adaptation strategies of two marine planktonic copepods coping with climate change Ghent University
Increasing temperatures affect the distribution range of planktonic copepods, playing a key role in the energy transfer at the basis of the marine food web. This PhD research will analyze the molecular mechanisms driving the adaptation strategies of the sympatric species C. finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus by means of fatty acid profiling and expression of fatty acids biosynthesis key genes.
Energy transfer at the basis of marine food webs in a changing world Ghent University
To understand the impact of global change on the overall functioning of marine ecosystems, this research aims to analyse the transfer of essential compounds between food and first-level consumers at the basis of marine food webs. Lab feeding experiments, fatty acid profiling, transcriptomics and food web modelling will allow to analyse the mechanisms at the molecular, individual and community level.
Modulation of human psychobiology by gut bacterial metabolites: The role of short-chain fatty acids. KU Leuven
Effects of ocean warming on invertebrates at the basis of marine food webs: A multigenerational, interspecies, interorder approach Ghent University
Global change is threathening coastal marine ecosystems, with potential severe impacts on nutrient shifts and food supply through the marine foodweb. This research proposal will study the effects of global change on primary consumers, i.e. marine copepods, and the potential consequences on food supply. It will focus on the fatty acids profile, as a proxy for food quality, under short- and long-term scenario's of global change. Long-term ...
Mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress in oocytes and embryos as treatment targets for infertile patients with metabolic diseases. University of Antwerp
The INTERACT project: CannabINoid recepTors as kEy playeRs in skeletAl musCle plasTicity KU Leuven
Sarcopenia is a critical matter of concern in an aging population. It impairs the elderly’s quality of life and imposes an enormous burden on the healthcare system. No therapies can fully overcome age-related skeletal muscle (SkM) wasting, although SkM is very plastic. Therefore, INTERACT explores the cannabinoid system as a novel target in combatting SkM wasting. More specific, we target cannabinoid receptor (CBR) 1 and CBR2 to improve the ...
Can antioxidants ameliorate the development and quality of embryos under maternal metabolic stress conditions? University of Antwerp
The regulation of photosynthesis by ethylene in tomato KU Leuven
Ethylene is a volatile plant hormone that plays a regulatory role in many aspects of vegetative plant growth and development, including the regulation of photosynthesis. It is also regarded as an 'aging' hormone, as it is required for processes such as climacteric fruit ripening, leaf and flower senescence, and abscission. In addition, ethylene is also involved in regulating plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses.
It ...