Tack Simon

Tack Simon - Predoctoral fellow @ Oxidative Stress Signalling

PhD fellow

Simon Tack obtained his Bachelors in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Ghent (UGhent, Belgium).He stayed at UGhent to persue a Master in Molecular Plant Biology.During his Master-thesis he joined the VIB-UGhent 'Oxidative Stress Signaling' lab (led by Prof. Dr. F. Van Breusegem) where he focused on showing Metacaspase activity using FRET-based sensors under the guidance of Dr. A.D. Fernandez Fernandez and Prof. Dr. S. Stael. In November 2022 he joined the OSS lab as a PhD fellow and continues his efforts on showing protease activity in plants (Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicotiana Benthamiana, Brassica napus) under the direct supervision of Prof. Dr. Van Breusegem. Since 2025 Simon is involved in the construction of protease-mutants in maize and part of a Collaborative Science Initiative (CSI) within the VIB. During his PhD, Simon has been very passionate about science communication involving plant biotechnology, resulting a.o. in collaborations with Technopolis (2024) and DocVille (ongoing), talks in high schools and on ‘National Science day’ and the organization of a National PhD symposium.



Simon Tack behaalde zijn Bachelor in Biochemie en biotechnologie aan de UGent en bleef voor een Master in Moleculaire Planten Biotechnologie. In het VIB-UGhent 'Oxidative Stress Signaling' lab (OSS, onder leiding van Prof. Dr. F. Van Breusegem) maakt hij zijn Master-thesis met een focus op het visualiseren van Metacaspase activiteit door gebruik te maken van FRET-based biosensoren. Dit werd gedaan onder toezicht van Dr. A.D. Fernandez Fernandez and Prof. Dr. S. Stael. In November 2022 begon Simon aan zijn doctoraat in het OSS labo waarbij hij zich verder verdiept in het visualiseren van protease activiteit in planten (Arabidopsis thaliana, Nicothiana benthamiana, Brassica napus) onder de supervisie van Prof. Dr. Van Breusegem. Sinds 2025 werkt Simon mee aan het aanmaken van protease-mutanten in Mais en maakt hij deel uit van een CSI consortium binnen het VIB. Simon is sinds het begin van zijn PhD gepassioneerd bezig geweest met Wetenschapscommunicatie omtrent planten biotechnologie en fluorescentie. Dit leidt o.a. tot samenwerkingen met Technopolis (2024) en DocVille (gaande), presentaties op middelbare scholen en rondleidingen op de Dag Van De Wetenschappen en tot het organiseren van een nationaal symposium van en voor jonge PhD studenten.

Nolf Jonah

Nolf Jonah - Lab Manager / Technician @ Vascular Development

Jonah Nolf has been an integral part of Ghent University and VIB since 2006, contributing extensive technical, operational, and managerial expertise to multiple research teams within the Plant Systems Biology department. He began his career in the laboratory of Prof. Ann Depicker, where he developed strong competencies in protein purification and a broad range of molecular biology techniques. His commitment to high‑quality experimental work and his structured approach to laboratory operations led to his transition into the role of lab manager, a position in which he played a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the research environment. In his capacity as lab manager, Jonah took on responsibility for training and onboarding new researchers, maintaining and enforcing laboratory safety standards, and overseeing the procurement and supply management essential to supporting day‑to‑day scientific activities. Jonah currently works within the research group of Prof. Bert De Rybel, where he continues to support experimental workflows with a focus on protein-related methodologies and the optimization of laboratory processes. Building on his strong technical foundation, he has expanded his expertise toward next‑generation sequencing technologies. In collaboration with the Single-Cell Platform, he is actively involved in the development, implementation, and optimization of ATAC‑seq and single‑nucleus ATAC‑seq (snATAC‑seq) pipelines.

Aesaert Stijn

Aesaert Stijn - Technician @ Crop Genome Engineering Facility

My name is Stijn and I live together with my wife and two sons on a small farm where we keep sheep and grow many crops. From very young I’m passionate about growing plants. Hence my choice to study Biotechnology after seeing small plants growing in in vitro tubes. I graduated at the KATHO Roeselare in 2008 with a professional bachelor degree in Biotechnology. Next, I started to work at PSB, first setting up a maize transformation protocol together with my colleague Griet. Once we got it to work, we applied this as a service for in house groups and later other labs and companies within Europe. Transforming immature maize embryos, subculturing calli, testing small gene-edited plantlets by PCR and sequencing, growing the plants until seeds, and training students are all part of my daily work package. It is this combination of lab and greenhouse work that I find fascinating in this job!

Inze Dirk

Inze Dirk - Group leader - Emeritus @ Scientific Director

Dirk Inzé is a global leader in plant biology and an ISI ‘most cited author’. His research ambition is to obtain a holistic understanding of the molecular networks regulating plant organ growth and crop productivity. His work has opened up new perspectives for the identification of optimal growth regulatory networks that can be selected by advanced breeding, or for which more robust variants can be obtained through genetic engineering. As such, Dirk Inzé's work significantly contributes to providing food security for the growing world population.
Dirk Inzé received his PhD at Ghent in 1984. In 1990, he was appointed Research Director of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), where he initiated highly successful research programs on the plant cell cycle and growth control. In 1995, he became Professor at Ghent University and he was the scientific founder of the biotechnology company CropDesign, which was established in 1998 and acquired in 2006 by BASF Plant Science. In 2002, Dirk was appointed Director of the Center for Plant Systems Biology of the VIB. Under his directorship, the Center for Plant Systems Biology – currently employing approximately 300 individuals – became one of the world leading centers for advanced plant sciences. Dirk’s research was recognized by numerous awards and he is a member of several science advisory boards. Dirk currently owns, for the second time, an advanced ERC grant and his work received >56,000 citations (H-factor 132). In 2017, Dirk was awarded with the prestigious World Agriculture Prize. In 2019 he was elected to the rank of AAAS Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2020 he became an elected member of Academia Europaea.
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