Thierry Franck

Company
Plant molecular Biology and Biotechnology Unit

Address
Plant Biology Institute
B22, Sart Tilman
4000 Liege

Telephone
+32 43 66 38 46

E-mail
t.franck@ulg.ac.be

1. Summary of work to be allocated into a specific WG

Study of the metabolism of polyamines in in vitro plants. Role of the polyamines during organogenesis and disorders affecting plant propagated in vitro. The work is mostly integrated into WG4.5.

2. Links with other WG and/or Subgroups

The work is also linked with other subgroups of the WG4 in order to study the interactions of the polyamine metabolic pathway in response to abiotic stress with other signaling/metabolic pathways.

3. Specific activities to be integrated into WG and/or Subgroups.

WG4: The work will cover most aspects of this WG.

WG2.6: Physiological responses to abiotic stress of T. halophyla and A. thaliana will be compared to assess the relevance of polyamine metabolism and related pathways with regard to adaptation to various stresses.

4. Qualification for the role and current grants

Claire KEVERS is researcher in the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Unit of the University of Liège. She has a great experience in plant cell tissue culture (micropropagation of ligneous and herbaceous plants, somatic embryogenesis, rhizogenesis, …). The metabolism of polyamines is/was studied during organogenesis (rooting, somatic embryogenesis, tuberization, …) and disorders (habituation, hyperhydricity) affecting micropropagated plants. Actually, she is also studying the antioxidant capacity (in relation with antioxidant compounds) of fruits and vegetables and derived products.

Thierry Franck (PhD Biology) studied the oxidative and antioxidative systems on a physiological disorder (hyperhydricity) affecting shoots vegetatively propagated in vitro. Actually, he is attached to Veterinary Institute of University of Liège where he is studying the effect of natural polyphenols on in vitro cell systems (neutrophils, monocytes) link to the inflammatory response (in horse and human).

The work is no longer funded.

5. Technical expertise and facilities

Capacity available for the project:

  • Extraction, separation and measurement of free polyamines by HPLC
  • Extraction and measurement of proline
  • Determination of the antioxidant capacity (various techniques) and of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalases, peroxidases, Halliwell-Asada pathway)
  • Determination of the activity of enzymes implicated in the polyamine metabolism (polyamine and diamine oxidases, arginine and ornithine decarboxilases, …)
  • Study of the effect of the inhibitors of the polyamine metabolism on plant organogenesis