Meet the Laboratory for Biochemistry and Glycobiology at the Department of Biotechnology of Ghent University (updated: October 2025).
Prof. Dr. Els Van Damme
Professor
Since 2002, I am the principal investigator of the GLYCO team. My research interests focus primarily on the study of plant proteins with specific biological activities, and the interactions between these proteins and sugars or RNA molecules. Using a multidisciplinary approach novel strategies are being developed to create plants with better growth and stress tolerance in changing environmental conditions. In addition, the research on plant lectins also contributes to the use of lectins as tools for (bio)medical applications. Teaching duties: Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Analytical Biochemistry, Gene Technology and Molecular Diagnostics.
Dr. Hannes Vanhaeren
Postdoctoral assistant
During my PhD in the group of prof. Dirk Inzé, I studied the genetic interaction between plant growth regulators. From 2023, I joined the group of prof. Els Van Damme as a teaching assistant of theoretical and practical courses Protein Chemistry and Analytical Biochemistry for UGCT and Bioscience Engineering master students. My research focusses on targeted proteasomal degradation of plant growth regulators and the interplay between E3 ligases and deubiquitination enzymes.
Ana Alcobendas-Garcia
PhD Researcher
I began my PhD journey in 2024 under the supervision of Professor Van Damme. My research focuses on drought stress, more specifically developing multidomain proteins that facilitate the internalization of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in plant cells. These carriers will be assessed for toxicity in plant cells and organisms, as well as their effectiveness in enhancing the RNA interference (RNAi) response .
Arshad Qayyum
PhD Researcher
Since June 2021, I have been a PhD student investigating the role of Lectin in salt tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. My research focuses on understanding how Lectin influences plant responses to salt stress using both GMO and non-GMO approaches. I study its uptake, fate in plant cells, and its potential to enhance stress tolerance.
Dagmar De Jonckheere
PhD Researcher
I started as a PhD student in the lab of Prof. Van Damme in 2024. I am part of the team working on the GOA project, which focuses on the delivery of dsRNA in plants. My research focuses on peptide and polymer carriers for dsRNA delivery. These carriers will be tested for toxicity and uptake as well as efficiency in RNA silencing in both plant cells and plants.
Ellen Vandenbussche
PhD Researcher
Since 2022, I have been a PhD student in the lab of Prof. Van Damme, studying the delivery of dsRNA and siRNA into plant cells and tissues using nanocarriers. My research explores the toxicity of these nanocarriers, their uptake mechanisms in plant cells, and their efficiency in silencing target genes. As a key application, I focus on developing RNA-based treatments for Phytophthora infestans infections in potato
Judith Porters
PhD Researcher
I started as teaching assistant and PhD student in August 2025 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Els Van Damme and Dr. Hannes Vanhaeren. My research is focused on the protein degradation pathway, more specifically the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This system regulates the lifetime of cytoplasmic proteins during the plants’ life cycle.
Koen Gistelinck
PhD Researcher
My journey as a researcher began in 2020 with the goal of exploring fundamental aspects of two-domain proteins in plants. This project required a diverse skill set, drawing from multiple disciplines, including (plant) molecular biology, enzymology, recombinant protein expression, bio-informatics and protein biochemistry.
Zoë Madder
PhD Researcher
In 2023, I embarked on my PhD journey under the guidance of Prof. Van Damme (promotor) and Prof. Kyndt (co-promotor). My research aims to unravel the role of specific small RNAs in rice defense against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola, with particular attention to their mode of action within RNA interference (RNAi) pathways and their involvement in intergenerational acquired resistance.
Alumni
Andrea Romero-Perez ( PhD in 2022) : Biomares Platform Manager (Ghent University)
Claudia Figueiredo-Lossio ( PhD in 2021) : Postdoctoral Researcher (University of Fortaleza)
Ellen Verwee ( PhD in 2024)
Jeroen Lambin ( PhD in 2020) : Intergrow NV
Malgorzata Dubiel ( PhD in 2020) : Scientist at Sanofi
Mariya Tsaneva ( PhD in 2020) : CMC Scientist Ziphius Vaccines
Pengyu Chen ( PhD in 2021)
Pieter Wytynck ( PhD in 2020) : Postdoctoral Researchers at VIB
Simin Chen ( PhD in 2022) : Postdoctoral Researcher
