Projects
Metagenomic analysis of the virome of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) in the Czech Republic KU Leuven
In this CELSA project we want to accomplish a technology transfer of the virome analysis methods and the associated bioinformatics pipeline to Charles University by applying these methods on a collection of Czech bees.
Study on transmission and virulence of honeybee viruses in bumblebees, and use of biotechnology for improving bumblebee health Ghent University
This project will investigate the transmission and virulence of honeybee viruses in bumblebees. In second it aims to use the novel biotechnological tool of RNAi for improving bumblebee health.
Mechanisms by which honey bees in Africa (Ethiopia) cope with pathogens and pests Ghent University
Pathogens and pests are highlighted as major constraining factors for declining trends of honeybee population worldwide. However, Africanized honeybees are are less affected by pathogens and pests attack. In order to develop sustainable control systems it is important to understand the mechanisms where honey bees in Africa rely on to control the drivers that cause bee mortality in other parts of the world.
Molasses provisioning to disrupt the mutualistic association of the biocontrol agent Oecophylla smaragdina weaver ants with honeydew-producing pest insects in pomelo in Thailand KU Leuven
Oecophylla smaragdina weaver ants are important biocontrol agents of fruit crops in Thailand but their mutualistic association with honeydew-producing insect pests can result in an ineffectual crop protection and cause economic harm to farmers. I will take an innovative, application-oriented, and interdisciplinary approach by disrupting the weaver ant-Hemiptera mutualism in Thailand with sugarcane molasses as honeydew and sugar alternative in ...
Managing aphids on trees with the help of natural enemies. HOGENT
Exploring marker-assisted selection in honey bees towards Varroa – and virus resistance Ghent University
Molecular mechanism of insect pentameric ligand-gated ion channels as a target for new insecticides KU Leuven
The human gut virome in health and disease. KU Leuven
This research program will use a recently optimized in-house procedure to investigate the viral part of the microbiome, the virome, in a semi-quantitative way in different biological samples using next generation sequencing technology. Within the research program are several projects, in which the following will be investigated: 1) the colonization dynamics of viruses in the gut of young children during the first year of life, and how this is ...
Role of non-pathogenic viruses in efficacy of RNAi in the key pollinator bombus terrestris Ghent University
The main objective of this research hypothesis-driven proposal is to investigate whether latent or chronic non-lethal viral infections interfere with the efficacy of RNAi in insects. Up until now, the impact of such viruses on the RNAi response in insects has not been investigated. The project will make use of multiple biotechnology and insect physiology technologies to realize 5 specific objectives. In brief: deep sequencing technology will ...