
Angenent Group – Plant Developmental Systems (PDS)
My research group is interested in how developmental processes are controlled by transcription factors and chromatin modifications. We aim to unravel transcriptional networks underlying various processes such as flowering time regulation, floral organ development, fruit formation and embryogenesis. We apply various methods, such as ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, proteomics, microscopy, CRISPR/CAS9 technologies and in vitro assays, to build gene regulatory networks and study the role of genes and proteins involved in these developmental processes. We are using predominantly the model species Arabidopsis and tomato, but also aim to understand to what extent the networks and genes are conserved in other species, including crops.
A main question of our research is: How do Transcription factors work and what are their target genes? To answer this question we are studying the properties of transcription factors belonging to the MADS domain, AP2-like or TCP transcription factor families. Since these transcription factors form larger complexes we analyse the components of the complexes by immunoprecipitation followed by MS/MS (Smaczniak et al, 2012). Furthermore, we are interested in the target genes that they control. A standard technology in our lab is ChIP-seq to identify in vivo binding sites. In addition we use in vitro methods, such as EMSA and SELEX to understand the specificity of binding to certain DNA sequences. Our results show that the composition of the transcription factor complex determines in part the binding specificity to target DNA.
We aim to identify downstream target genes by ChIP-seq and RNA-seq approaches and decipher their role in various developmental processes, such as flowering, flower, fruit and embryo development by genetic and molecular studies. A more recent focus of the group are studies to understanding the role of promoter elements (CIS regulatory elements) and how they control transcription. For this purpose we make mutations in promoters using CRISPR/Cas9, aiming at modulating gene expression in vivo.
Group members and teams
Embryogenesis group
Seed quality
Evolution transcription factor
Tomato Fruit development
Flowering control
Publications
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Data underlying the publication: Selective Electrochemical Desorption of Fermentation-derived n-Caproate from Activated Carbon
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Environmental impact assessment of fish feed for aquaponic systems to introduce higher phosphorus and potassium in value-added fish sludge
Aquaculture (2025), Volume: 599 - ISSN 0044-8486 -
Subsurface Fe (II) affects concentrations of dissolved O2 in streamwater
Water Research (2025) - ISSN 0043-1354 -
A comparative analysis of planarian regeneration specificity reveals tissue polarity contributions of the axial cWnt signalling gradient
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Improving future fish consumption : A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
Aquaculture Reports (2025), Volume: 40 - ISSN 2352-5134 -
Iron supplementation strategies in Gambian infants
Wageningen University. Promotor(en): E.J.M. Feskens, co-promotor(en): H. C.M. Verhoef, C. Cerami - Wageningen: Wageningen University - ISBN: 9789465220772 -
Dietary patterns derived using reduced rank regression in postmenopausal women and risk of mortality : A population-based study
Maturitas (2025), Volume: 196 - ISSN 0378-5122 -
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activities of the Polysaccharides from Fermented Astragalus membranaceus
Molecules (2025), Volume: 30, Issue: 5 - ISSN 1420-3049 -
Differential growth and flowering capacity of tulip bulbs and the potential involvement of PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE-BINDING PROTEINS (PEBPs)
Biology Direct (2025), Volume: 20 - ISSN 1745-6150 -
Syngas biological transformation into hydroxyectoine
Bioresource Technology (2025), Volume: 417 - ISSN 0960-8524