Infrastructure
Molecular laboratory ↑
Our lab is member of the 'Center for molecular phylogeny and evolution' (CeMoFE) platform, where different associated research groups combine their expertise and lab equipment in a shared molecular lab. The combined forces make this lab a unique place for biological research at the department of Biology at UGent. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The ongoing genetic studies are mainly based on high throughput sequencing (HTS). Though the sequencing itself is being outsourced, we are equipped to provide in all necessary preparations and common techniques associated with HTS: DNA extraction from fresh and herbarium specimens, libraryprep, targeted library enrichment, meta barcoding, transcriptomics, ...
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Equipment: PCR and qPCR machines, nanodrop, qubit, bioanalyzer, BluePippin , pipetting workstation, basic molecular lab equipment.
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Living Collections/Botanical Garden ↑
The Ghent University Botanical Garden houses about 10 000 plant species, and serves an important role in our scientific research for more information concerning research involving our living collection) and education (guided tours for students, plant material for practical courses, …).
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Herbarium ↑
The Ghent University Herbarium (known by its acronym GENT) was founded in 1837, and contains approximately 300,000 specimens of Fungi, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes and Angiosperms:
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- Fungi, ± 100 000 sp.
​- Bryophytes, ± 25 000 sp.
- Angiosperms, ± 150 000 sp.
- Botanical Garden herbarium, ± 6 000 sp.
The collections consist mainly of dried specimens which are either mounted on sturdy bristol sheets (large specimens) or kept in folded packets (small specimens). Other specimens are conserved in liquid (e.g. flowers, fruits, sea-weeds), some are stored in envelopes in silica gel, with a view to future molecular genetic analysis.
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Owing to the taxonomic foci of former researchers attached to the Ghent herbarium, the herbarium has a rich collection of pteridophytes and tropical Cyperaceae and Poaceae. The collections are continuously increasing because of collecting activities. The Ghent herbarium is willing to exchange duplicates with other herbaria.
In March 2020, the Ghent University Museum will open its doors. The Ghent University herbarium will be part of this museum, and will be housed in a fully refurbished and climate-controlled room.
More information is available on the Index Herbariorum
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