Projects
Role of cyclic lipopeptides produced by plant-associated fluorescent Pseudomonas, in pathogenicity, and disease resistance. Ghent University
Objectives
1. Elucidation of the structure of the CLPs produced by Pseudomonas CMR12a and Pseudomonas
CMR5c, isolated from the rhizosphere of cocoyam and those produced by Pseudomonas cichorii, the
pathogen on lettuce.
2. Investigation of the pathogenicity on monocots (rice) and dicots (lettuce, bean, tomato) of the CLPproducing
bacteria, mentioned in (1) and CLP producers from the viscosin, tolaasin, and ...
A combined in vitro and in vivo approach to unravel persister mechanisms in natural isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa KU Leuven
Currently, global health is threatened by the emergence of pathogenic bacteria that evade conventional antibiotic treatments. One well‑known cause of therapy failure is the emergence of antibiotic resistance. However, infections can be difficult to eradicate even if bacterial populations appear susceptible to the applied antibiotic. This difficulty can be explained by the presence of, usually, small fractions of antibiotic‑tolerant persister ...
Novel bacteriophage-inspired antibiofilm compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa KU Leuven
Gram negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosas is one of the most dangerous opportunistic bacterial pathogen. One of its virulence factors, which highly increases its versatility, is the ability to form biofilms. Biofilms are structured microbial communities that are surrounded with extracellular matrix, they can be formed on abiotic as well as on living surfaces. Biofilms are highly resistant to antimicrobials and very little ...
Importance of Lewis A epitopes for Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 infection of Arabidopsis thaliana Ghent University
We hypothesize that the interaction of F-box-Nictaba with endogenous or bacterial Lewis A epitopes plays an important role during plant defense against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Hence the objectives of this research are to investigate the interaction between F-box-Nictaba with Lewis A epitopes, and the importance thereof for bacterial infection.
Cell surface display of quorum quenching enzymes in Pseudomonas stutzeri. KU Leuven
A multifaceted approach to boost the biosynthesis of bioactive mycin- and peptin-type cyclic lipopeptides in Pseudomonas Ghent University
Plant-associated Pseudomonas bacteria are versatile producers of cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs),
amphiphilic secondary metabolites with a broad range of biological activities. Some plant-associated
Pseudomonas strains co-produce mycin and peptin-type CLPs with strong antimicrobial and/or
phytotoxic activity without a clear-cut distinction between biocontrol strains and plant pathogens.
The mycin-type CLPs have great ...
Novel mechanisms of biocontrol in the Pseudomonas asplenii subgroup Ghent University
Microbial biocontrol agents (MBCA) are getting increased attention since the use of chemical pesticides needs to be reduced. Current screening methods of MBCA strongly focus on the production of secreted metabolites and may not pick up MBCAs with novel modes of actions. This project aims to study novel biocontrol mechanisms against soilborne pathogens in five taxonomically related plant-associated Pseudomonas strains obtained from disease ...
A nanobody-based anti-inflammatory treatment against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced inflammation in chronic lung diseases. Ghent University
Chronic lung inflammation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important driver of pathogenesis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and non-CF bronchiectasis. Therapies directed at the host inflammatory response hold great promise since it is the major process leading to destruction of lung tissue during infection. The objective of this project is to develop an effective therapy against P. ...
Interaction between Pseudomonas protegens and Sarocladium oryzae in rice plants with sheath rot Ghent University
Rice is the daily food for more than half of the world's population. This crop is threatened by various diseases, including rice sheath rot which results in rotting of the rice sheath and sterility of the resulting grains. The major pathogen causing this disease is a fungus, called Sarocladium oryzae. This fungus produces two toxic compounds, helvolic acid and cerulenin. Helvolic acid is not only toxic for the plant, but also for other ...