A5032390727- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Heavy metals in environment
- Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
- Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant responses to elevated CO2
- Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Gut microbiota and health
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Enzyme-mediated dye degradation
- Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
Hasselt University
2016-2025
Bacterial taxonomic community analyses using PCR-amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and high-throughput sequencing has become a cornerstone in microbiology research. To reliably detect members, or operational units (OTUs), that make up bacterial communities, surveys rely on use most informative PCR primers to amplify broad range phylotypes present up-to-date reference databases. However, specific for domain Bacteria were often developed some time ago against database versions are now out...
Next-generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized the methods for studying microbial ecology by enabling high-resolution community profiling. However, use of these in unraveling plant microbiome remains challenging. Many bacterial 16S rDNA primer pairs also exhibit high affinity non-target DNA such as plastid (mostly chloroplast) and mitochondrial DNA. Therefore, we experimentally tested a series commonly used primers analysis plant-associated communities using 454 pyrosequencing....
Conventional agriculture relies on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which can degrade ecosystems. A reduction of these harmful practices is required, replacing (or integrating) them with more eco-friendly approaches, such as microbial inoculation. Tomato an important agricultural product, a high content bioactive compounds (folate, ascorbate, polyphenols, carotenoids). The focus this research was to investigate the plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities bacterial strains isolated from...
The phylum Actinobacteria includes important human pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Corynebacterium diphtheriae renowned producers of secondary metabolites commercial interest, yet only a small part its diversity is represented by sequenced genomes. Here, we present 824 actinobacterial isolate genomes in the context phylum-wide analysis 6,700 including public isolates metagenome-assembled (MAGs). We estimate that 30%–50% projected phylogenetic possesses genomic representation...
This study investigated the potential of indigenous endophytic bacteria to improve efficiency wetland helophyte Juncus acutus deal with a mixed pollution consisting emerging organic contaminants and metals. The beneficial effect bioaugmentation selected was more prominent in case high contamination: most inoculated plants (especially those culture) removed higher percentages organics metals from liquid phase shorter times compared non-inoculated without exhibiting significant oxidative...
Many endophytic bacteria exert beneficial effects on their host, but still little is known about the associated with plants growing in areas heavily polluted by hydrocarbons. The aim of study was characterization culturable hydrocarbon-degrading Lotus corniculatus L. and Oenothera biennis collected long-term petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted site using culture-dependent molecular approaches. A total 26 endophytes from these were isolated. Phylogenetic analyses classified isolates into phyla...
Exploiting the potential of bacteria in phytoremediation for removal organic and inorganic pollutants from soils (ground)water holds great promise. Besides bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi free-living saprotrophs are well known their strong degradative capacities plant growth promotion effects, which makes them high interest use different bioremediation strategies. To further increase efficiency successes phytoremediation, interactions between plants associated microorganisms, both fungi, should...
Metal contaminated soils are increasing worldwide. Metal-tolerant plants growing on metalliferous fascinating genetic and microbial resources. Seeds can vertically transmit endophytic microorganisms that assist next generations to cope with environmental stresses, through yet poorly understood mechanisms. The aims of this study were identify the core seed endophyte microbiome pioneer metallophyte Crotalaria pumila throughout three generations, better understand plant colonisation...
Plant responses to the toxic effects of soil contaminants, such as excess metals or organic substances, have been studied mainly at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels, but influence on root system architecture has received little attention. Nevertheless, precise position, morphology extent roots can contaminant uptake. Here, data are discussed that aim increase ecological understanding contaminants architecture. Furthermore, potential plant-associated bacteria growth by their...
Summary The presence of explosives in soils and the interaction with drought stress nutrient limitation are among environmental factors that severely affect plant growth on military soils. In this study, we seek to isolate identify cultivable bacteria a 2,4‐dinitrotoluene ( DNT ) contaminated soil DS an adjacent grassland GS training area aiming new growth‐promoting PGP 2,4‐ ‐degrading strains. Metabolic profiling revealed disturbances E cocarbon use bare ; isolation strains lower...
Plants and their associated bacteria play a crucial role in constructed wetlands. In this study, the impact of different levels pollution bioaugmentation with indigenous strains individually or consortia was investigated on composition endophytic microbial communities Juncus acutus. Five treatments were examined compared where wetland plant exposed to increasing metal (Zn, Ni, Cd) emerging pollutants (BPA, SMX, CIP), enriched combinations single mixed strains. High had negative effect alpha...
Background: The gut microbiome plays an essential role in human health. Despite the link between air pollution exposure and various diseases, its association with during susceptible life periods remains scarce. Objectives: In this study, we examined black carbon particles quantified prenatal postnatal biological matrices bacterial richness diversity measures, families. Methods: A total of 85 stool samples were collected from 4- to 6-y-old children enrolled ENVIRonmental influence ON early...
Among emerging pollutants, residuals of phenoxy herbicides, including 2-chloro-4-methylphenoxy acid (MCPA), are frequently detected in non-targeted areas. MCPA can be removed from environmental matrices using biological remediation methods endophyte-assisted phytoremediation. The interactions between selected plants excreting to the rhizosphere plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) and plant-associated bacteria (incl. endophytes) speed up removal organics increase resistance pollutants such as...
Abstract To fully comprehend host-microorganism interactions, it is crucial to understand the composition and diversity of microbiome, as well factors that shape these characteristics. We investigated microbiome variation using freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea , an invertebrate model in regeneration biology (eco-)toxicology, by exposing organisms various controlled conditions. The exhibited high variability, with most bacteria belonging Betaproteobacteria. Among diverse microbial...
ABSTRACT 1. Microbiome studies in Platyhelminthes have predominantly focused on a limited number of taxa, overlooking the vast diversity turbellarian hosts. Here, we aimed to expand our understanding microbial associations selection free‐living representatives Rhabdocoela, group flatworms that is very species rich and ecologically diverse. 2. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, characterised microbiomes three representing two most speciose lineages within this taxon: Dalytyphloplanida...