Projects
Are terrestrial carbon cycle responses to climate change governed by soil properties and microbial symbionts? University of Antwerp
Diversity and evolution of bacterial symbionts in the Siphonocladales (Chlorophyta) and their effects on algal morphogenesis Ghent University
The aims of the project are to characterize the bacterial diversity of the surface associated and endophytic microflora of siphonocladalean algae, examine whether the seaweed-associated bacteria are strictly host specific or repeatedly acquired from the local environment, investigate the possibility of coevolutionary processes between the bacterial symbionts and the green algal hosts, and study potential effects of bacterial symbionts on ...
The impact of fairy shrimps, their symbionts and parasites on the functioning of temporary ponds under climate change (FAIRYPONDS) KU Leuven
Biological invasion of the non-indigenous blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 and its symbionts in a « One Health » context in Moroccan coastal environments: effects on native biodiversity, associated marine diseases, and risks for human health Hasselt University
The role of microbial symbionts in host plant use and spectrum in oligophagous cucurbit feeding fruit flies (Tephritidae). University of Antwerp
The role of microbial symbionts in host plant use and spectrum in oligophagous cucurbit feeding fruit flies (Tephritidae). University of Antwerp
Symbiont Diversity and Feeding Strategies in Insect Agricultural Pests Ghent University
Insects are extremely versatile in exploiting a large range of nutritional niches. This is not so much the result of their metabolic
flexibility but heavily depends on intimate relationships between insects and associated endosymbionts. Gut bacterial assemblages
play a fundamental role in making the plant tissue edible for the insect and promote adaptation between phytophagous insects and
host plants. This project focuses on ...
Exploration of legume-rhizobia diversity to select symbioses tolerant to water deficit under limiting phosphorus condition, Morocco Ghent University
In Mediterranean area, legumes occupy an important place due to their agro-economic and environmental interests. These plants contribute to nitrogen incorporation in ecosystems by symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) involving rhizobial strains. This association provides the necessary nitrogen for plant growth and contributes to improvement of the soil nitrogen balance to the benefit of other crops in intercropping systems or in rotation. Thus, ...
Molecular-genetic mechanisms of reproductive symbiosis in haplodiploids Ghent University
Bacterial symbionts infect the reproductive tissues of arthropods, including many economically important species that have a haplodiploid reproductive mode. By inducing various reproductive phenotypes, these symbionts often act as inheritable selfish elements for haplodiploid hosts. Previous work indicates that hosts can counteract symbiont-mediated reproductive phenotypes. Yet, despite the fundamental and applied importance of reproductive ...