Projects
The molecular and hormonal regulation of leaf epinasty during abiotic stress KU Leuven
Epinasty is the downward bending of plant leaves, a characteristic response of species such as tomato to hypoxia in the root zone during waterlogging. These low oxygen conditions stimulate the accumulation and upwards transport of the ethylene precursor ACC. In the shoot, ACC is converted into ethylene, which activates a regulatory cascade to evoke differential elongation in the petiole and eventually epinasty. The dynamics of this response ...
Unraveling amino sugar-phosphate stress regulation and response mechanisms in Escherichia coli to enable the development of microbial cell factories for the synthesis of amino sugar containing compounds. Ghent University
In this PhD proposal the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway is further explored. As little is known about the regulation and response mechanisms of the stress caused by amino sugar-phosphates, both Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology approaches will be employed to unravel these mechanisms.
In finding ways to relieve stress, improved MCFs for the production of chitooligosaccharides can be designed.
Getting through the storm and stress of adolescence: A closer look at adaptive emotion regulation in at-risk youth Ghent University
Adolescence is a turbulent period. One skill for helping youth in dealing with negative affect is adaptive emotion regulation (ER). First, we study the efficacy of ER strategies (ERS) in dealing with everyday stress. Second, we study the attentional and physiological changes underlying the effects of ERS using a computerized ER training for three ERS: distraction, cognitive reappraisal, and self-compassion.
Study of molecular determinants of RIP1-kinase for cellular stress responses and metabolic regulation Ghent University
RIPK1 is a master adapter/kinase downstream of many cellular stress pathways
activated by infection, cell death and cellular damage. It plays a crucial role in
survival and inflammation as well as in necrotic and apoptotic cell death signaling.
Activities of RIPK1 are tightly controlled by both post-translational modifications
(PTM; ubiquitylation, phosphorylation and proteolytic cleavage) and ...
Involvement of gibberellins in the regulation of leaf growth upon drought stress in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Ghent University
Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting crop yield. An important adaptation to drought is leaf growth reduction. This project aims to study the role of gibberellins and DELLAs in this process, including the identification of upstream transcription factors and downstream target genes affecting cell division and/or expansion by growth analysis and molecular characterisation of mutn ants.
The role of expectancy and proactive control on stress regulation: a neurocognitive investigation Ghent University
During our life, we face different situations that we can perceive as stressful (for example: a job interview or an exam). Before and during confrontation with these stressful situations, some important changes occur in our mind and body: we feel more anxious and less happy, our heart starts to beat faster, and our body produces more cortisol (the so called hormone of stress). If these reactions are too extreme (for example: too much ...
Unraveling molecular mechanisms regulating growth under mild osmotic stress through the identification of chemical compounds using quantitative plant phenotyping Ghent University
The aim of this project is to unravel the molecular mechanisms regulating plant growth inhibition upon mild osmotic stress by combining quantitative phenotyping and chemical genetics. A high-throughput imaging platform will allow to identify small molecules positively affecting shoot growth under mild osmotic stress. Promising compounds will then be used as chemical tools to study molecular mechanisms.
Molecular networks regulating the response of Arabidopsis to mild drought stress by using natural accessions Ghent University
Drought stress ranges from mild drought to desiccation. Although mild drought occurs more often in the field, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. To unravel these regulatory networks, we will phenotypically and molecularly characterize natural Arabidopsis accessions under different drought conditions. Based on these findings and GWAS data, we’ll identify and characterize genes regulating growth during mild drought ...
Stress and bovine sperm in relation to in vitro fertility Ghent University
"If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger". Sublethal stress can improve gamete quality. In this research we will investigate the peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) expression in bull spermatozoa after H2O2 exposure and their role in sperm-oocytes interaction. Moreover, we will evaluate the expression pattern of PRDX6 in oocytes of different quality (small, medium and large oocytes, based on oocyte diameter) and its role in repairing oxidative sperm ...