What is new in PGCI?
Nico De Storme and Astrid Severyns visited the group of Gert Kema (Wageningen University) to present the ongoing research on the banana crop in PGCI and discuss the opportunities for future banana research in Belgium and the Netherlands!
They were part of a delegation of banana researchers connected to the Leuven Plant Institute, consisting also of members of Bioversity International, the lab for Tropical Crop Improvement and the Plant Health and Protection lab.
Congratulations to Evelien Waegneer and Marie Sarens for the successful completion of their PhD defenses!
We wish you all the best!
PGCI lab welcomes Lucas Philips as a new PhD student!
Lucas has a primary focus on defining the broader meiotic recombination landscape in European pear, having a background in pome fruit research. His goal is to describe meiosis in pears using immunolabeling of crucial regulatory proteins throughout meiosis, among other cytological approaches. This, combined with the genetic analysis of meiotic products in pollen—known as single pollen genotyping (SPG)—can, down the road, facilitate the lengthy process of pome fruit breeding. Additionally, he has a more fundamental research focus on meiotic restitution by analyzing mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana to better understand these complex processes in plant species.
New Publications
Claessen, H. Palmers, H. Keulemans, W. Van de Poel, B. De Storme, N.
Front. Genet. Sec. Genomics of Plants and the Phytoecosystem. Volume 15 - 2024 https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2024.1360332
Susceptibility to drastic temperature fluctuations and low light levels during plant reproduction.
Begcy, K. Mendes, M.A., De Storme, N.
Front. Plant Sci., Sec. Plant Abiotic Stress, Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1369070
Svara, A. De Storme, N. Carpentier, S. Keulemans, W. De Coninck, B.
Horticulture Research, DOI: uhae002
Claessen, H. Aert, P. De Storme, N.
A Roadmap for Plant Genome Editing. Springer Nature Switzerland ISBN: 3031461525, 9783031461521
Mind the (CRISPR) gaps: The European Commission's proposal for the use of NGTs in the EU.
Vighi, G. De Storme, N.
EMBO Reports 10.15252/embr.202358109
Our mission statement
One of the main scientific challenges in the coming years will be to guarantee a stable food supply in the face of climate change, environmental degradation and an increasing world population. Key to meeting these challenges is the development of new, stress resistant crop varieties for sustainable growth and production.
Therefore, our mission at PGCI is to conduct excellent research in plant sciences biology for the improvement of fruit production and quality, to protect the environment, and to benefit consumer health.
PGCI works primarily with apple, banana and model plant Arabidopsis, applying cutting edge knowledge and technologies to gain understanding into the control of biological processes necessary for modern and efficient fruit breeding and selection programs. We also provide training in the biosciences, actively follow opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation to industry and aim to engage the public and other interested stakeholders in dialogue on issues of scientific interest.