In Vitro Lab
by Prof. Stefaan Werbrouck
Projects
A SELECTION OF OUR ACTIVE PROJECTS
Strengthening capacities and promoting innovation in plantomics at the University of Sfax (Tunisia).
Acronym: INPLANTOMICS
Funding: Horizon Europe
Program duration: 01/12/2022 - 30/11/2025
About this project The Horizon Europe Twinning project ‘InPlantomics’, hosted at the University of Sfax (USF), aims to establish the first plant omics platform in the Southern Mediterranean basin. The project's objective is to bolster scientific knowledge and promote sustainable agriculture and healthy food production by enhancing capacities in omics technologies. 1 The project is structured around six work packages, with a focus on capacity building in innovative plant omics, strengthening technical knowledge in plant growth and production, and employing omics approaches to enhance cereal tolerance to drought stress. Ghent University (UGent) plays a crucial role in the project consortium, particularly in work packages 2 and 3. In WP2, UGent leads the charge in strengthening technical knowledge and capacity building on in vitro plant growth and sanitation of vegetatively propagated crops. In WP3, which focuses on omics approaches to improve cereal tolerance to drought stress, UGent actively contributes its expertise. The project anticipates significant impacts, including increased science and innovation capacities, modernized R&I systems, enhanced attractiveness and retention of research talent, and stronger connections between academia and business.
Evaluation and optimisation of a high-throughput sequencing (HTS) based strategy for the detection of viruses and bacteria, in function of certification and in vitro therapy for the creation of virus free mother plants.
Acronym: VIRVRijUIT
Funding: Regional and community funding: IWT/VLAIO (Agriculture Fund)
Program duration: 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2025
About this project Viral diseases limit the yield of many important crops. They are particularly problematic in vegetatively propagated crops in which they are transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, viruses are a constant concern for propagators from different sectors because they carry a great responsibility for the agricultural and horticultural sector, often with legal and economic consequences. The overall goal of this project is the evaluation and optimization of a High-throughput sequencing-based strategy for the detection of viruses, in function of certification and >in vitro therapy for the creation of virus-free mother plants. Hereby, customized HTS strategies will be offered to support the different target groups in obtaining virus-free parent material.
Building in vitro plant biotechnology capacities for ecological sustainable production of marine phytochemical formulations against skin-cancer in Cuba.
Acronym: -
Funding: VLIR TEAM
Program duration: 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2027
About this project Due to global warming and increased sun exposure, skin cancer has high incidence and inreasing prevalence within Cuban population. An extract obtained from the local marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum, rich in polyphenols has shown effective photoprotection proper-ties and antitumor activity against skin cancer. Until now, the extract production implicates the collection of the species from its natural habitat. However, such approach may endanger biodi-versity and eco-sustainability as T. testudinum (known as turtle paste) nurtures other species and plays a central role in the coral reef-seagrass-mangrove ecosystem, which in turn protects the dune from extreme weather events, the coastal communities and the archipelago itself. To preserve the environment, ecological alternatives will be developed for efficient production of secondary metabolites facilitated by abiotic elicitors via bioreactor, plant biotechnology and tissue culture. The obtained biomolecules will next be conjugated to nanostructures to promote synergistic biological effects and increase therapeutic efficacy. Altogether, environmental friendly and eco-sustainable production strategies will be developed for novel safe and effective pharmaceutical formulations from T. testudinum applicable in the prophylaxis of skin cancer, a serious health problem in Cuba.
Harnessing plant tissue culture technologies for education, research and improved livelihoods in Kenya.
Acronym: -
Funding: VLIR TEAM
Program duration: -
About this project Climate change and diseases threaten food security in Kenya, underscoring the need for climate-smart and disease-resistant crops. However, a lack of infrastructure and skilled personnel hinders the adoption of advanced breeding technologies like plant tissue culture (TC). TC is crucial for developing disease-free planting materials and modern crop breeding. This project addresses these challenges by expanding and equipping the existing TC lab, training staff, and producing clean planting materials of disease-resistant bananas. It also fosters collaboration between Kenyatta University (KU), farmers, an agribusiness cooperative, and local governments in three counties to promote the sustainable use of disease-free banana plantlets. By enhancing technical, scientific, educational, and research capacity, this coordinated research project aims to sustainably address food insecurity through innovation adoption.
Integrated techniques for chimera free in vitro meristem regeneration in olive.
Acronym: CRP D24014
Funding: International Atomic Energy Agency
Program duration: -
About this project This project aims to enhance the breeding of cassava and olive, essential crops facing challenges due to limited genetic diversity and climate change impacts. It focuses on developing new genetic resources and tools through induced genetic diversity, utilizing mutation induction and in vitro micropropagation techniques. The research prioritizes optimizing protocols for tissue culture-based mutagenesis, chimera dissociation, and plantlet regeneration, targeting disease resistance in both crops. The project involves collaboration with national research systems and CGIAR centers to generate stable mutant clones with desirable traits. By integrating tissue culture and next-generation sequencing technologies, the project aims to identify gene-to-phenotype associations for marker-assisted breeding or gene editing. This approach will enhance the adaptability of cassava and olive to climate pressures, ultimately contributing to sustainable food production and benefiting farmers and consumers globally.
A SELECTION OF OUR FINALISED PROJECTS
Domestication of the edible orchid Disa katangensis.
Acronym: -
Funding: VLIR SOUTH RD CONGO
Program duration: 01/1/2018 - 31/12/2021
About this project The University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) and Ghent University (UGent) partnered to conserve and cultivate the Disa katangensis orchid, a unique species valued for its culinary and ornamental uses. This project served as a model for preserving the Congo's rich biodiversity while unlocking its potential to benefit local communities and future generations. The initiative focused on selecting, propagating, and acclimatizing the orchid for cultivation, while also studying the soil characteristics and ecology of its natural habitat, the swampy "dambo." Combining both research areas was crucial for establishing sustainable cultivation practices The project also facilitated knowledge transfer in in-vitro research, orchid botany, and habitat preservation through reciprocal visits and workshops embedded within the rural community.
Synergy for mass propagation of elite Melia volkensii clones and exploiting its derived biopesticides.
Acronym: -
Funding: VLIR TEAM KENYA
Program duration: 01/1/2018 - 31/12/2021
About this project The University of Nairobi, the Kenyan Forestry Research Institute, Ghent University, and Better Globe Forestry partnered to overcome the final technical hurdles in achieving large-scale planting of Melia volkensii, a native mahogany tree poised to significantly impact rural development in Kenya's semi-arid regions. Their research focused on developing a robust rooting system for the tree, minimizing losses during acclimatization of elite clones, and further validating the insecticidal properties of the tree's leaves and fruits. The partnership also strengthened the capacity of the University of Nairobi's in-vitro lab and upgraded its entomology lab. Knowledge transfer regarding in-vitro and biopesticide research was facilitated through master's and Ph.D. research programs, reciprocal visits, and workshops for foresters and farmers.
In vitro Plant biotechnology to increase food security in eastern Cuba.
Acronym: -
Funding: VLIR TEAM CUBA
Program duration: 01/1/2017 - 31/12/2020
About this project The University of Nairobi, the Kenyan Forestry Research Institute, Ghent University, and Better Globe Forestry partnered to overcome the final technical hurdles in achieving large-scale planting of Melia volkensii, a native mahogany tree poised to significantly impact rural development in Kenya's semi-arid regions. Their research focused on developing a robust rooting system for the tree, minimizing losses during acclimatization of elite clones, and further validating the insecticidal properties of the tree's leaves and fruits. The partnership also strengthened the capacity of the University of Nairobi's in-vitro lab and upgraded its entomology lab. Knowledge transfer regarding in-vitro and biopesticide research was facilitated through master's and Ph.D. research programs, reciprocal visits, and workshops for foresters and farmers.
