The central research theme of the laboratory are the mechanisms that control root and dark-grown-hypocotyl growth and their development. Ongoing research mainly exploits the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana which represents one of the best experimental systems to study developmental processes in higher plants. Its whole genome is sequenced, the development occurs in a highly predictive and well defined pattern and cellular growth in the stem or the root can be easily monitored by means of microscopy.

Using several methodological approaches, genes that play a role in the process of cellular elongation are identified. Knock-out mutants are phenotypically analysed, the expression of interesting genes is localised, the influence of several factors on this expression is investigated and the effect of overexpression of the genes on root and hypocotyl development is monitored. Interesting lines will be crossed in plants with known mutated backgrounds to reveal interactions in certain developmental pathways. Others will be crossed in fluorescent markerlines.

As many genes have a function in the cell wall, mutants will be analysed by Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) microspectroscopy coupled to a chemical cell wall analysis. The combination of experiments reveals the role of several genes in the process of cell elongation.

Ongoing research is sponsored by:

- the University of Antwerp.