Meet the teamhttps://www.ugent.be/bw/biotechnology/en/research-units/mobi/research/edit-1/edit-teamhttps://www.ugent.be/++resource++plone-logo.svg
Meet the team
Meet the Laboratory for Plant Transformation and Gene Editing at the Department of Biotechnology of Ghent University (updated: February 2026).
Prof. Dr. Laurens Pauwels
Professor
Since September 2024, I have been working as a Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University and leading the Laboratory for Plant Transformation & Gene Editing. My current projects focus on studying and engineering the interaction between Agrobacterium tumefaciens and plants, as well as enhancing plant transformation and genome editing using morphogenic regulators. In addition to my research, I teach several courses, including "Plant Biotechnology," "Gene Technology & Plant Biotechnology," and "Cell Biology." I also participate as a Flying Faculty member for Ghent Global University Campus in Korea, where I teach "Plant Biotechnology." Previously, during my PhD with Alain Goossens at VIB-UGent, I utilized protein-protein interaction mapping and reverse genetics to unravel jasmonate transcriptional regulation in Arabidopsis. After a period at UC Davis with Judy Callis, working on protein ubiquitination and degradation, I returned to the Goossens lab to continue this research line and established CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in the lab for yeast, Arabidopsis, and tomato. From 2017, I worked at VIB as a staff scientist/expert technologist and manager of the Crop Genome Engineering Facility, where my group focused on improving methods for CRISPR delivery and plant regeneration, particularly in maize.
Dr. Kate Doorly
Postdoctoral researcher
Postdoctoral scientist at Pauwels lab and De Clercq lab (VIB-UGent). Working on an FWO research project with De Coninck lab (KU Leuven) to Identify novel host targets of Agrobacterium effector proteins in Arabidopsis and maize. PhD on N-end rule pathway with Prof. Emmanuelle Graciet (Maynooth University, Ireland)
Andries Hermans
PhD Researcher
PhD student working at the UGent EDIT lab (prof. Laurens Pauwels), UGent horticulture lab (prof. Emmy Dhooghe) and ILVO as part of a VLAIO-funded research project. My work focuses on developing CRISPR-edited ornamental and fruit crops that comply with Category 1 New Genomic Techniques (NGT) regulations. In apple, I aim to improve disease resistance by reducing susceptibility to Podosphaera leucotricha, the causal agent of powdery mildew. In Pelargonium, I aim to reduce ethylene sensitivity, improving postharvest and ornamental quality.
Cynthia Marbun
PhD Researcher
PhD student at Pauwels lab and at Deroose Plants NV with a Baekeland mandate. Study of somatic embryogenesis in tropical crops, especially doing micropropagation of oil palm using tissue culture technique and Temporary Immersion System for over 15 years.
Gerard Serrat Mayayo
PhD Researcher
PhD student at Pauwels lab working Use of morphogenic regulators to enhance regeneration of plants from Agrobacterium Ri-induced roots. Master Plant Biotechnology from UGent and Bachelor from University of Barcelona.
Laura Strickx
PhD Researcher
PhD student at ILVO and at Pauwels lab. My research focuses on improving meiotic recombination in soybean. This research is part of the MeioCOntrol project, which is a collaboration between Ghent University, KU Leuven, and ILVO.
Marit Krul
PhD Researcher
PhD candidate at Pauwels lab, working on enhancing meiotic recombination in Maize. This project is part of the MeioCOntrol consortium, in collaboration with KU Leuven and ILVO, and is funded by the FWO SBO program.
Wout Vandeputte
PhD Researcher
PhD student in the Nelissen lab (VIB-UGent) co-promoted by Prof. Pauwels. Working on improving maize transformation using morphogenic regulators.
Xiaoling Shan
PhD Researcher
Since Nov. 2024, I began my Ph.D. at the Epic and Edit Labs, under the supervision of Professor Tina Kyndt and Prof. Laurens Pauwels. My research explores how pathogen effector proteins regulate host genes through epigenetic mechanisms. This includes screening effector–epigenetic target interactions, validating protein-protein interactions, generating transgenic tomatoes for gene function analysis, and investigating the epigenetic roles of selected effectors.
Zhangyao Nie
PhD Researcher
PhD student at Pauwels lab. Working on the characterization of novel morphogenic regulators in rice and maize to enhance plant gene editing efficiency. Master and Bachelor from China Agricultural University.
Alumni Pauwels lab at VIB-UGent (2017-2024)
In 2017, Laurens Pauwels established the Crop Genome Engineering Facility at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (www.cgef.be). In 2024 he moved to the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
CGEF Alumni
Anne Muia : Principal Biosafety Officer at National Biosafety Authority,Kenya
Carla Fabiola López Gómez : PhD student at University of Queensland, Australia
Denia Herwegh : Postdoctoral Researcher at Nelissen Lab
Jim Renema : Centre For Genomic Regulation (CRG) - Barcelona, Spain
Juan Fontanet : Postdoctoral Researcher at Nowack Lab
Lennert Impens : Researcher at Rainbow Crops, Belgium
Leticia Rios Viera : Sempre Seeds, Brasil
Shari Bossuyt : Research associate with Inari Agriculture
Viviane Heinzen Da Silva : Chief Scientific Officer atInEdita Bio, Brazil
Yasmine Vanhevel : Postdoctoral Researcher at Nelissen Lab
