We are interested in the development of research lines in which fundamental research leads to practical biotechnological applications. We have two main research lines: nutrient sensing and signal transduction in Candida albicans and trehalose metabolism and stress tolerance in plants.
A surprise in the field of trehalose metabolism was the discovery of the many genes of trehalose metabolism in plants (21 in A. thaliana) because trehalose was never found in plants, apart from a few exceptions. Because of the effects of modification of plant trehalose metabolism on photosynthetic activity, sink-source sugar allocation and stress resistance, plant trehalose metabolism has become a highly attractive target for improvement of plant productivity and stress resistance by genetic engineering. As a first step to understand this metabolism we are characterizing the 21 genes in great detail.  On the other hand, for the accumulation of trehalose in plants in order to enhance stress resistance, the use of TPS-TPP fusion constructs, which do not liberate free trehalose-6-phosphate, appears to be very attractive. Our recent discovery of naturally occurring bifunctional enzymes is interesting in this aspect. Because of this finding, we are also focussing more on the phylogenetic  analysis of trehalose biosynthesis genes. For the more applied work, we are using genes from desiccation tolerant plants, such as Selaginella lepidophylla to improve drought tolerance of crop plants.

The second subgroup is focusing on nutrient sensing and signal transduction pathways in the human fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Our main focus goes to the cAMP-PKA pathway but also other pathways induced by glucose or amino acids are under investigation. Apart from this more fundamental research we also have a number of more applied research lines. Of course here the main focus is the identification  of novel targets for antifungals. Previously we have shown that inactivation of the trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase enzyme  (Tps2) strongly reduces C. albicans virulence.  Later on we have identified the C. albicans Gpr1 receptor as another highly promising target for novel antifungals. Now, we have shown that combined deletion of TPS2 and GPR1 results in an avirulent strain. Each gene seems to contribute to a different aspect of the virulente. A chemical screen in the VIB screening facility resulted in compounds that specifically may inhibit either of these proteins and currently we are analyzing these potential new drugs for their efficacy. In a second approach we are using the novel protein interference technology to develop small peptides as novel antifungals. Finally, we are also developing novel tools for the C. albicans research community, such as a C. albicans specific two hybrid system and a novel in vivo biofilm system.