Meet the Laboratory for Epigenetics and Defence at the Department of Biotechnology of Ghent University (updated: October 2025).
Prof. Dr. Tina Kyndt
Professor
I am the principal investigator of the EPIC team since 2014. My major research interests are plant immunity, parasitic nematodes, tropical crops and epigenetics. With the team, we have obtained several research grants for basic and applied research projects and have actively pursued collaborations with industry. I am also teaching following courses: ‘Cellular and Molecular Biology’, ‘Gene Technology & Molecular Diagnostics’, ‘Gene Regulation & Epigenetics’, and ‘Plants, Pathogens and Pests’ at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (UGENT).
Dylan Cool
PhD Researcher
In September 2024, Dylan started to write a project about the development, evaluation, and application of innovative detection and quantification methods for plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs), which will enable faster and more robust screening of resistant genotypes in soybean and infestation loads in European relevant crops (e.g. potato and sugar beet). This project was handed in for a VLAIO Baekeland fellowship under the supervision of Prof. K. Audenaert, Prof T. Kyndt, and the BASF company.
Ibe Naessens
PhD Researcher
I have been a part of the EPIC team since 2022. My research focuses on elucidating the roles of the jasmonate and the phenylpropanoid pathway in induced resistance against Meloidogyne graminicola in rice. On top of my research, I teach practical courses to bioscience engineer bachelor students for the courses Gene Technology and Molecular Diagnostics, and Biochemistry. In addition, I teach the practical courses for Molecular Toolbox to master students Nematology.
Jasper Matthys
PhD Researcher
I started my PhD in 2021 in the lab of Prof. Kyndt, studying DNA methylation in the plant immune response. Using Oxford NanoPore sequencing, I focus on both cytosine and adenosine DNA modifications to uncover their roles in plant defence and pathogen interactions.
Karen De Kock
PhD Researcher
I began my PhD journey in 2020 at the Epigenetics and Defence lab, under the guidance of Prof. Tina Kyndt. My research focuses on exploring the biopesticidal properties of plant-derived extracts, investigating the role of ethylene in induced resistance in rice against M. graminicola and examining the transcriptional and epigenetic changes involved in intergenerational acquired resistance to M. graminicola in rice.
Melissa Deveux
PhD Researcher
I started my PhD in 2021 under the supervision of Prof. Tina Kyndt. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and generating CRISPR mutants, I aim to identify and validate genes involved in the early stages of giant cell development in Meloidogyne graminicola-infected rice roots.
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 Professor Laurens Pauwels. My research explores how nematode 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.
Xing Xu
PhD Researcher
I began my Ph.D. in November 2021 at the Epigenetics and Defence Laboratory, under the supervision of Professor Tina Kyndt. My research investigates the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs in modulating plant root immune responses to diverse pathogens. In particular, I explore the potential of microRNAs as innovative biotechnological tools, focusing on their exogenous application to enhance resistance against root-knot nematodes in rice and potentially other crop species.
Yaseen Ahmad
PhD Researcher
Since 2022, I have been pursuing my PhD at the EPIC lab under Prof. Tina Kyndt, focusing on plant induce resistance and sustainable agriculture. My research aims to convert agricultural waste into eco-friendly bioprotectant by extracting bioactive compounds from agriculture waste streams, reducing the need for synthetic chemicals. I study how these bioactive compounds induce resistance in rice against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola, while using metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to uncover their modes of action. This work supports sustainable pest management, resource efficiency, and long-term agricultural productivity.
Alumni
Aniko Meijer ( PhD in 2022)
Bruno Verstraeten ( PhD in 2021)
Eva Degroote ( PhD in 2024)
Jonas De Kesel ( PhD in 2021)
Mohammad Atighi Quchan Atigh ( PhD in 2020) : Assistant Professor at Tarbiat Modares University
Richard Raj Singh ( PhD in 2021)
Ruben Verbeek ( PhD in 2018) : Manager R&D analytical lab at Iribov
Satish Chavan ( PhD in 2023) : Agricultural Scientist, ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India.
Tumpa Farzana Haque ( PhD in 2025) : Associate Professor
Willem Desmedt ( PhD in 2022) : Researcher Entomology at the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
