Kim

Selected publications - see full list

Raaymakers, C., Verbrugghe, E., Hernot, S., Hellebuyck, T., Betti, C., Peleman, C., Claeys, M., Bert, W., Caveliers, V., Ballet, S., Martel, A., Pasmans, F. & K. Roelants (2017). - Antimicrobial peptides in frog toxins constitute a molecular toxin delivery system against predators.

Nature Communications 8, 1495.

Matthijs, S., Ye, L., Stijlemans, B., Cornelis, P., Bossuyt, F. & K. Roelants, 2014 - Low Structural Variation in the Host-Defense Peptide Repertoire of the Dwarf Clawed Frog Hymenochirus boettgeri (Pipidae).

PLoS ONE 9 (1) : e86339.

Roelants, K., Fry, B.G., Ye, L., Stijlemans, B., Brys, L., Kok, P., Clynen, E., Schoofs, L., Cornelis, P. & F. Bossuyt, 2013 - Origin and functional diversification of an amphibian defense peptide arsenal.

PLoS Genetics 9(8): e1003662.

Kok, P. J. R. , MacCulloch, R. D., Means, D. B., Roelants, K., Van Bocxlaer, I. & F. Bossuyt, 2012 - Low genetic diversity in tepui summit vertebrates.

Current Biology, 22 (15): R589-590. - pdf

About this research:

Roelants, K., Haas, A., & F. Bossuyt, 2011 - Anuran radiations and the evolution of tadpole morphospace.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 108 (21): 8527-8916.

Roelants, K., Fry, B.G., Norman, J.A., Clynen, E., Schoofs, L. & F. Bossuyt, 2010 - Identical Skin Toxins by Convergent Molecular Adaptation in Frogs.

Current Biology 20: 125-130.

Prof. Dr. Kim Roelants

Research Professor

Current Research

Kim focused his early post-doctoral research on phylogenetic patterns of diversification in amphibians. He is now integrating this phylogenetic background with transcriptome and peptidome data to explore the evolution of antimicrobial and anti-predatory skin peptides in various amphibians. Apart from providing an excellent model system for the study of adaptive evolution at a molecular scale, defensive skin peptides represent promising templates for novel bioactive compounds in various therapeutic applications.