OUTside-IN and INside-OUT

Maize plants with improved growth characteristics in the greenhouse are tested in field trials. Unfortunately, the knowledge gained in the laboratory cannot easily be transferred to the field. One of the reasons for the low success rate in translating laboratory findings into field applications is the observation that laboratory-bred plants have very pronounced phenotypic and molecular differences compared to the same genotypes grown in the field.

From cell to canopy

To facilitate the different irrigation regimes required for drought studies and to increase the resolution and sensitivity of phenotyping, we use the automated irrigation and imaging platforms for plant phenotyping, called Phenovision. The Phenovision platform is equipped with three camera systems that enable the three-dimensional reconstruction of plants, the measurement of growth-related phenotypic characteristics, water consumption and plant physiology.

Research question

The size control of multicellular organisms is an old biological question that has always fascinated scientists. Growth, per definition is a dynamic process and it becomes more and more evident that its regulation is highly coordinated in time and space. Our long-term goal is therefore to decipher the dynamics of the molecular pathways and networks that determine plant organ size, using maize as a model system.

Seynnaeve Stijn

Seynnaeve Stijn - Predoctoral fellow
Joined the group in 2022

As a passionate and aspiring scientist in the field of plant genetics and physiology, my academic journey began at Ghent University, where I pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Biology, specializing in Functional Biology. My fascination with plant genetics was further enriched during an exchange program at Yonsei University in South Korea, where I delved into biotechnology and honed my communication and self-management skills. Throughout my education, I have developed a robust foundation in plant physiology, development, biotechnology, and genetics. I’ve acquired practical laboratory skills, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, in situ hybridization, and Sanger sequencing preparation. Additionally, I’ve gained proficiency in Python programming, statistics, and academic writing. The pursuit of a PhD is the natural progression of my academic and research aspirations. It presents an opportunity to build upon my master’s dissertation and delve into the complexities of GRFs and TCPs. I am particularly excited about the potential applications of AI in plant genetics and am eager to learn and apply these cutting-edge techniques. My ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between molecular knowledge and crop trait improvement. With the world facing the challenges of climate change and a growing population, I am motivated to contribute to the development of crops that are resilient and sustainable. I am grateful for the opportunities that have shaped my academic path and am committed to using my skills for the betterment of agriculture and society.

Sanches Matilde

Sanches Matilde - Predoctoral fellow
Joined the group in 2023

Matilde Sanches graduated in 2017 as master of Biodiversity and Plant Biotechnology at University of Coimbra, Portugal. During her master thesis, under the guidance of Prof. Jorge Canhoto, she studied developmental epigenetics throughout somatic embryogenesis of tamarillo plant (Solanum betaceum, Cav.), performing experiments and developing skills (particularly immunofluorescence microscopy) at Pilar S. Testillano's lab in CIB-CSIC, Madrid, Spain. After a one-year experience as Project Developer - DIVA project (H2020) and SKAN Platform activities - at INOVISA (Lisbon, Portugal) and at the Centre for Investigation and Transference of Technology to Community Development (CITT - Maputo, Mozambique), she enrolled in the Plants for Life Doctoral Program in 2019, from ITQB NOVA (Lisbon, Portugal). During her PhD project, focussing on the study of quantitative genetics and mechanisms behind water stress tolerance in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), she had the opportunity to foster a collaboration between Dr. Carlota Vaz Patto's lab (PlantX group, ITQB NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal) and Prof. Frank Van Breusegem'lab (Oxidative Stress Signalling group, PSB-VIB, Ghent, Belgium). Her main scientific interests are I&D in the agronomic sector, particularly stress resilience in plants, the genetics and epigenetics underlying it; and more important, the potential applications of that field of knowledge in crop improvement and breeding programs, with a particular fondness for orphan crops. More recent (but obviously related) passions are statistics, experimental design and data science, and it was in that framework that she recently joint Hilde Nelissen's Systems Biology of Yield group at PSV-VIB (Ghent, Belgium).

Wytynck Pieter

Wytynck Pieter - Postdoctoral fellow
Joined the group in 2022

I studied Bioscience Engineering at the university of Ghent focusing on Cell and Gene Biotechnology. After obtaining my masters, I did a PhD on improving the abiotic stress tolerance in crop species. Subsequently, I worked for 2,5 years at Biogazelle which is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in DNA- and RNA-based applications to support pharmaceutical research, clinical trials and diagnostic test development. As a scientist I provided scientific guidance to ongoing projects and R&D activities. Currently, I work as a postdoctoral researcher on the use of AI/Machine Learning in plant breeding on the BREEDIT project.