Projects
The role of plant hormones in controlling the phenotype of UV-B acclimated plants. University of Antwerp
The role of plant hormones in plant growth and development Hasselt University
Development of a rapid multiplex detection method for analysing plant stress hormones ACC and ABA using a fiber-optic SPR biosensor KU Leuven
Plant hormones play a crucial role in steering developmental processes and controlling responses towards (a)biotic stressors. For example, drought, salinity, and flooding stress evoke ethylene (by its precursor ACC) and abscisic acid (ABA) root-to-shoot signalling via the xylem to activate survival responses of the shoot. Especially with the advent of climate change, early stress detection is critical to prevent agricultural losses and breed ...
Study of the Arabidopsis TXL peptides, potential new hormones that regulate plant metabolism in concert with jasmonates Ghent University
We will study a novel potential peptide hormone (TXL) that appears to have a conserved role in the plant kingdom in the signalling cascades that involve jasmonates and that steer plant growth and metabolism. We will functionally analyse the two TXL peptide isoforms from Arabidopsis thaliana and attempt to identify the Arabidopsis TXL receptor by assessing TXL interaction with a candidate receptor kinase.
Unraveling the regulatory role of the plant hormone ethylene on photosynthesis. KU Leuven
Identification and characterization of novel regulators that affect the production of the plant hormone ethylene KU Leuven
Just like humans and animals, plants posses hormones to regulate their development. One of the most fascinating plant hormone is the volatile molecule 'ethylene'. Ethylene regulates many processes such as ripening of tomatoes, root growth and responses towards stress. The biosynthesis pathway by which ethylene is produced is well known, but the regulation of this pathway is only poorly understood. My expertise in ethylene and plant physiology ...
Functional characterization of a new peptide hormone that regulates plant secondary metabolism. Ghent University
The TXL peptides represent potential new peptide hormones that together with the phytohormone jasmonate may regulate plant metabolism across the plant kingdom. Here, we will functionally characterise the TXL pepetides in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and also investigate their utility to stimulate the production of high-value molecules in two medicinal plants from South-Africa, Pelargonium sidoides and Sutherlandia frutescens.
Regulation of root hair development by the plant hormone auxin through the receptor-like kinase ERULUS and modulation of cell wall enzyme activity. University of Antwerp
Identification and characterisation of novel regulators of the abundance and functioning of the COI1 protein, the receptor of the plant hormone jasmonate Ghent University
Plant fitness and survival depend on the ability and plasticity to adapt developmental and growth
programmes to a 24-hour changing environment, which is safeguarded by complex signalling
networks in which hormones such as the jasmonates play major roles. The bioactive version of the
jasmonate hormone is perceived by the co-receptor complex consisting of the F-box protein
CORONATINE 1 (COI1) and a JAZ ...