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VIB Department of Molecular Microbiology, K.U.Leuven
Department Director : Johan Thevelein
ADDRESS
Science
Yeast as a subject, model and tool for biotechnological applications.
The aim of the department is to become one of the leading yeast laboratories in the world by combining top fundamental research and several derived lines of top applied research. Using its extensive knowledge and know-how of yeast molecular genetics and biochemistry, it will develop the best characterised and most comprehensive nutrient-sensing and signalling system in eukaryotic cell biology. Glucose, nitrogen sources and phosphate are all sensed by yeast cells to activate the protein kinase A and related signalling pathways that are all very closely connected to control of growth and proliferation of the cells. Recent work by the department has led to major progress in identifying the sensing mechanisms for these nutrients. A major goal of the future research is to elucidate their precise functioning, to identify downstream components and the connection with the different nutrient-sensing systems. Glucose sensing in yeast is closely connected to initial glucose metabolism and a major focus of research in this respect is the precise mechanism involved in the control of hexokinase activity by trehalose-6-phosphate synthase. Nutrient-signaling in yeast has a dramatic effect on cellular stress resistance, metabolic activity and cellular proliferation. These properties are crucial for many industrial applications with yeast. Starting from the fundamental knowledge on nutrient signaling mechanisms, the department aims to become a world leader in specific biotechnological applications with yeast. Stress-resistant industrial yeast strains are developed for the bioethanol production, brewing, distilled spirits and baking industry. Using novel genetic analysis methods the department also focusses on other commercially-important properties of industrial yeast strains, such as flavour compound production, ethanol yield and titer, and pentose fermentation. Nutrient sensing systems and trehalose metabolism in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans are explored as novel targets for antifungal therapy. Yeast is used as a tool to study trehalose metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana and to use this knowledge as a tool for improvement of stress resistance and productivity in crop plants. In addition, specific yeast mutants are used to isolate and characterize mammalian genes with possible or established medical importance.
Structure
The Department of Molecular Microbiology is structured around the following group and project leaders and research themes:
An introduction to their work can be found on the individual pages.
Go to the Department's own website for more details.
Departmental support
The members listed below are working on a departmental level providing general support . The team members within the individual Research Groups are listed on their specific pages.
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