General botany, nature management and mangrove research (APNA)
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The APNA unit covers four research-domains lead by Prof. N. Koedam, Prof. L. triest and Prof. F. Dahdouh-Guebas.
Vegetation research
Vegetation research and spatio-temporal vegetation analysis, phylogeography - target vegetation types: mangroves, vegetation of seepage zones (including types of wetlands), Mediterranean wetlands; - methods: classical Braun-Blanquet relevés, PCQM transects, airborne and space-borne remote sensing, GIS, application of hydrological modelling, wood anatomy and environmental stress, socio-ecologic surveys. This part of the research is in close collaboration with the Laboratory of Complexity and Dynamics of Tropical Systems of the Université Libre de Bruxelles – ULB lead by Prof. Farid Dahdouh-Guebas.
Nature management and governance
target areas: nature management in the above-mentioned areas, - methods: above mentioned laboratory and fieldwork, questionnaire-based surveys, management planning. The Brussels area (including the Zonien forest) is of particular interest for the vegetation and nature management studies as well as for the freshwater and water quality surveys done in the research group.
Moleculaire Ecologie
Genetic diversity, genetic structure plant populations and taxonomy - target taxa: aquatic macrophytes, old growth forest herbaceous plants, willow, mangrove tree species; - methods: isoenzyme analysis, PCR-based techniques, classical taxonomic methodology, including herbarium BRVU.
Limnology (freshwater ecology)
Limnology (freshwater ecology) and water quality research - target areas: African lakes, brooks in temperate regions, seepage zones; - methods: limnological methodology, phytoplankton studies, EIA.
More information about the research can be found by clicking the Research button on the following website APNA
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Cellular Genetics: stem cell and cancer research (CEGE)
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The CEGE unit covers three research-domains lead by Prof. M. Volders; Prof. L. Leyns and Prof. G. Smagghe
Genetica - Prof. Dr. M. Kirsch-Volders
The laboratory for Cell Genetics (Cytogenetics) studies variation in genotype and phenotype, cell division pathways, cell death and genetic changes relevant for the increase of cancer in human. Genotoxicity tests assess the induction of DNA damage, gene mutations, structural and numerical chromosome aberrations. Their predictivity for cancer induction is supported by international studies relating mutations and activation of cancer related genes, and the induction of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes with increased frequency of cancer. The genotoxicity tests and genotyping performed in the laboratory are used to study the mechanisms of action of mutagens/carcinogens (e.g. indirect mechanisms of genotoxicity by interference with spindle proteins, DNA repair enzymes and cellular trafficking), on development of predictive human genetic susceptibility biomarkers by combining genotyping and integrated phenotyping, on the assessment of potentially more susceptible sub-groups (e.g. stem cells and children) and on the risk of occupational/environmental exposure to newly developed material (e.g. nanotoxicology).
Our strategy is a stepwise approach, from fundamental to applied research (including validation), at cellular/molecular level combining cytology with molecular approaches within interlaboratory and international collaborations.
Developmental and Stem cell Biology - Prof. Dr. L. Leyns
In the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology group, we are focusing on:
- The role of stem cells in the development of cancer. We are in particular studying biomarkers of cancer stem cells in brain tumors (glioblastomas)
- Modeling the embryonic development by differentiating in vitro embryonic stem cell into muscle or neurons
- Identifying the signaling pathways involved in some cancers involving the unregulated growth of stem cell, in particular in neural tissue.
- Identifying by conserved genomics conserved regulatory elements implicated in limb development
Insect physiology - Prof.Dr. ir. G. Smagghe
In the insect physiology group we concentrate on environmental biology, (eco)toxicology en risk assessment for the use of pesticides en other environment-related compounds, we use the bumble bee Bombus terrestris, which is of major economic and ecologic importance.
More information about the research can be found on the following website CEGE
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Anthropogenetics: human growth and development (DIER)
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The DIER unit covers two research-domains lead by Prof. R. Hauspie and Prof. C. Susanne.
Prof. Dr. C. Susanne - Prof. Dr. R. Hauspie
The research activities in the Anthropogenetics research unit basically concern the study of genetical and phenotypical variation of Men. During the past decades, our research activities were mainly focused on problems of human growth and development.
Studies of genetic influences on growth and maturation through the analysis of familial and twin data have thrown more light on the impact of heredity and environment on human development. Various studies of environmental influences on growth have been conducted, such as the study of the effect of environmental pollution by lead on growth in childhood, the effect of various socio-economic factors on the development of children during infancy, and the study of the effect of diseases on growth and maturation, such as asthma, hypophosphataemic vitamin-D-resistant rickets, whooping cough, measles. Several studies have been conducted in developing countries, such as West Bengal, Zaire, and Guatemala.
A number of growth studies have resulted in the production of population-specific growth references or growth standards: Belgium, Poland, France, West Bengal, etc. These standards allow the verifying of whether the attained body length or body weight of an individual child lies within the range of normal variation, whether the increase in size over one-year intervals is normal, and whether the pattern of growth over a longer period has a shape within the normal range. Finally, the phenomenon of secular trend, i.e. the change in overall size of growing children and adults from one generation to another, has been extensively studied in the Belgian population.
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Ecology and Systematic: Amphibian evolution and marine research (ECOL)
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Homepage of ecological marine management: master programme
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Amphibian Evolution Lab - Dr. F.Bossuyt
This research group is exploring amphibian evolution using molecular phylogenies as a backbone. Several aspects of amphibian evolution are studied, ranging from morphological diversification (adaptive radiations), historical biogeography, pheromone and behavioral evolution, or the origin and evolution of defensive strategies. An important part of the fieldwork takes place on the Indian subcontinent. For the most recent update of ongoing research in this lab, please click here. (http://www.amphibia.be).
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Viral Genetics: transformation of plants and vaccine development (GEVI)
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The GEVI unit is lead by Prof. J-P. Hernalsteens.
The main expertise of the research group GEVI is molecular genetics of bacteria that are pathogenic for plants and animals. This laboratory contributed significantly to the present widespread application of the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, as a tool for routine transformation of plants. Agrobacterium- mediated transformation is used by GEVI for the isolation and study of genes involved in plant morphogenesis.
In addition, techniques for the transformation of leguminous crop plants are developed and the expression in plants of lectins with insecticidal activity is optimised. The virulence mechanisms of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella) pathogenic for humans and domestic animals are studied, by the isolation and analysis of the relevant genes. Several gene clusters, encoding fimbriae involved in the adhesion of pathogenic E. coli to host tissues, were cloned and analysed in detail. New genes involved in the pathogenicity of S.enteritidis for mammals and birds were also identified. Besides providing new insights in these complex interactions, this also leads to the development of more specific diagnostics and improved vaccines for the control of these important pathogens. The controlled expression of viral antigens in attenuated Salmonella vaccine strains, to produce recombinant anti-viral vaccines, is also investigated.
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