Research team
Expertise
- Analysis of antioxidant metabolism in plants - Production in different host systems (E. coli , insect cells, yeasts) - Recombinant expression of proteins - Protein purification
The role of the antioxidative ascorbate-glutathione metabolism in cross-tolerance of plants.
Abstract
The aim of this project is to study if changes in the antioxidative metabolism play a role in cross-tolerance. It is our objective to look at stress responses of plants at different complementary levels including ecophysiological level, the accumulation of selected metabolites as well as at the expression level of selected genes.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Horemans Nele
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Functional genetic analysis of ascorbate and glutathione-mediated growth regulation in Physcomitrella patens.
Abstract
In this project we want to set up a model system for both physiological and molecular purposes and use Physcomitrella for a functional genetic analysis of the regulation of the physiology of cell division and elangation by ASC and GSH.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Horemans Nele
- Co-promoter: Potters Geert
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Support maintenance scientific equipment (IMPRES).
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Promoter: Guisez Yves
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Interplay between vitamin C and glucose metabolism in plant and animal mitochondria.
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Guisez Yves
- Fellow: Pasternak Taras
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
The role of photorespiration in heavy metal adaptation.
Abstract
Preliminary data from a genetic analysis point at an increased photorespiratory activity in tomato plants treated with a low dosage of cadmium. To confirm of contradict th is hypothesis, we will study photosynthesis, phÇ)torespiration, anti-xenobiotic defences (glutathione and phytochelatins) in intact plants, or through a combination of biochemical and molecular techniques, in function of cadmium stress.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Potters Geert
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: D'Haese David
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Potters Geert
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Guisez Yves
- Fellow: Pasternak Taras
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Tocotrienol biosynthesis in Brassica napus L.
Abstract
Tocotrienols constitute a novel and powerful antioxidant with a broad range of application. These molecules are structurally related to tocopherols (vitamin E) and are involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen molecules that are damaging to the cell. The tocotrienol biosynthesis in higher plants will be studied, with particular attention to the enzymes involved and their subcellular localisation.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Horvath Joeri
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Involvement of ascorbate in plant cell growth and protection against stress.
Abstract
Ascorbate (vitamin C) plays an essential role in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. This function is being investigated in plant cells. Special attention is given to aspects of ascorbate transport at the plant plasma membrane, the effect of ascorbate on growth of cell cultures and its involvement against various stress factors (e.g. heavy metals, biotic stress factors).Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Horemans Nele
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
In situ gene expression analysisof a cytochrome b-561 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana L c.v. columbia.
Abstract
Previous investigations have demonstrated the presence of a specific cyrochrome b-561 in higher plant plasma membranes, involved in ascorbate-mediated transmembrane electron transport. As one of the steps towards the elucidation of the physiological function of this protein, gene expression analysis will be performed in situ. Detection of mRNA using in-situ hybridization should result in a high resolution of spatial distribution and expression of the gene Atb561-A from Arabidopsis, a putative gene encoding cytochrome b-561Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Tocotrienol biosynthesis in Brassica napus L.
Abstract
Tocotrienols constitute a novel and powerful antioxidant with a broad range of application. These molecules are structurally related to tocopherols (vitamin E) and are involved in the scavenging of reactive oxygen molecules that are damaging to the cell. The tocotrienol biosynthesis in higher plants will be studied, with particular attention to the enzymes involved and their subcellular localisation.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Horvath Joeri
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
RAFO-Financing of essential equipment: replacement of a freeze-dryer including supplies.
Abstract
To support a number of ongoing research projects in the laboratory of Plant Physiology, there was an urgent need for the replacement of an old and unreliable freeze-dryer.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
RAFO-Financing, replacement of basic instrumentation: ultracentrifuge with rotor.
Abstract
A crash with a rotor caused the destruction of the existing ultracentrifuge. Experimental work in our laboratory involving unltracentrifugation includes the isolation of subcellular fractions through density gradient centrifugation, the preparation of plasma membrane vesicles and the purification of proteins.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
RAFO-financing of essential equipment: plunger compression pump for critical fluid extraction
Abstract
Due to the failure of a compression pump, the it became impossible to perform critical fluid extractions. The latter technique is used for the isolation of lipophylic compounds from plant materials, mainly tocopherols and tocotrienols, in relation to oxidative stress research.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Purification of enzymes producing active oxygen species during the response of plants against biotic stresses.
Abstract
The production of active oxygen species seems to regulate the plant defence responses against stresses. Though, the enzymes producing these oxygen radical are not yet fully characterized. The project deals with the identification and purification of these oxidases by means of chromatography (FPLC), gelelectrophoresis and immune cross reactivity.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Van Gestelen Peter
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Developments and applications in supercritical fluids in agriculture and fisheries.
Abstract
Through the use of supercritical fluid extraction techniques, economically interesting products will be recovered from residues obtained after the preparation of vegetable oils.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
RAFO-Financing, replacement of essential equipment: acquisition of a radio-activity scanner for protein gels.
Abstract
An essential mechanism by which the activity of enzymes and other proteins is controlled in cells is through their phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Changes in phosphorylation are detected by incubation of proteins in the presence of radioactive P and after separation in denaturing or non-denaturing acrlyamide gels. The involvement of protein phosphorylation in the signal transduction of plant stress responses is investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Co-promoter: Decleir Walter
- Co-promoter: De Wolf Marc
- Co-promoter: Hilderson Herwig
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Involvment of extracellular ascorbate in plant cell growth and division.
Abstract
In plants, a variety of physiological processes, such as cell wall synthesis, cell division, cell elongation and defence against oxidative stress, are strongly influenced by extracellular ascorbate. At present the exact role of ascorbate in these processes is not known. Recently, it has been indicated that the concentration of extracellular ascorbate as well as the ratio reduced/oxidised ascorbate (=redox status) are important regulating factors. The characterisation of mechanisms, at the level of the plasma membrane, affecting external ascorbate concentration and redox status are investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Horemans Nele
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Fluorimetry in plasma membrane research in plants
Signal exchange at the plant cell interface under biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
Abstract
Stress tolerance is a result of adaptive responses that can be considered at the biochemical, structural and physiological level of the plant. The project aims at the characterization of 1) stress signal perception, 2) intracellular transport of the signal, 3) activation of defense mechanisms and 4) the transport of defense molecules. As a particular target, the role of the cell membrane and specific cell membrane proteins will be investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Biochemical and physiological analysis of oxydative stress in higher plants.
Abstract
Abstract: Similar to other organisms, higher plants are subject to stress as the result of extreme physical conditions or as the result of infections by pathogenic organisms. In the current project biochemical and physiological analyses will be conducted with respect to components (enzymes, active oxygen species, antioxidants) of a variety of defense responses. These studies will be performed at three different levels, i.e. at the tissue, cellular and subcellular levels, in order to obtain an integrated understanding of these responses.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Asard Han
- Co-promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
(Qualitative and quantitative) light-stress with the development of higher plants (Archegoniatae).
Abstract
This project is situated in the frame of the general investigation of stress-factors in plants which can strongly influence the developmental pattern of the latter. Beside the well-known UV-effects also other light qualities can disturb the morphogenesis of the germ plant. By installing a lightbank especially the influence of the red-dark red ratio (through the photochromal system) will be investigated.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Greef Jan
- Co-promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Characterization and physiological function of higher plant plasma membrane redox components.
Abstract
Plasma membranes of higher plants contain specific electron transporting redox components, including a specific b-type cytochrome. The physiological function of these components is being investigated by altering their expression levels in Arabidopsis and by investigating their specific distribution in different tissues. The cytochrome will be purified and its primary structure will be analyzed.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Asard Han
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
- Fellow: Asard Han
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Supercritical extraction of biologically active organic compounds from complex matrices.
Abstract
Samples which serve to analyse biologically active compounds, are normally subjected to a solvent extraction technique which is not only time-absorbing, but often transforms the compounds. The supercritical extraction is a more efficient, faster and to the environment less harmful method.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Basic physiological research of developmental processes in higher plants with a modified metabolism of hormones.
Abstract
This research project aims, in collaboration with other Flemish research groups, at unravelling the role of hormones in genetically manipulated plants which by overexpressing or mutation show an altered morphogenesis. In particular attention is paid to the role of the plasma membrane.Researcher(s)
- Co-promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Abstract
Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Greef Jan
- Co-promoter: Caubergs Roland
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project