Meet the lab
Dr. Klaas Bouwmeester
Assistant professor / Lead scientist
I am involved in
diverse courses, see Teaching
I am a molecular plant biologist at the Biosystematics group at Wageningen University with ample knowledge and research experience in experimental plant biology and molecular phylogenetics. My research addresses curiosity driven questions on how plants defend themselves against pathogen attack.
I have always been interested in understanding the genetic basis underlying natural variation in disease resistance within crops and their wild relatives. During my PhD thesis, for example, I discovered a novel genetic source of broad-spectrum resistance, which is mediated by lectin receptor kinases (LecRKs). In other projects I studied R-gene-mediated blight resistance in Solanaceous crops, molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions, and the evolution of plant defense genes (see publications). Fundamental knowledge on genetic diversity and molecular evolution of resistance genes can provide novel biological insights in plant immunity that can lead to the development of new crop breeding strategies. By unlocking the genetic diversity hidden in crop wild relatives we try to provide novel genetic resources to breed crops with more durable disease resistance.
Li Yang
PhD student
Chinese│2019
Molecular mechanisms of
black rot resistance
in Brassica crops
Hanneke Suijkerbuijk
PhD student
Dutch│2020
The role of herbivory
in outcrossing
via pollination and
self-incompatibility
(co-supervisor/promotor
Erik Poelman, WU Entomology)
Wei Xiong
PhD student
Chinese│2018
Comparative genomics
and trait evolution
of lettuce wild relatives
Guus van den Heuvel
BSc student (HAN)
Dutch│2021
Genetic variation of the
downy mildew resistance
gene Dm3 in natural
lettuce populations
Mikay Breet
MSc student
Dutch│2021
Exploring genetic differences in
black rot resistance across wild Brassica oleracea relatives
Andelko Zivkovic
BSc student (HAN)
Dutch│2021
Phyllosphere
microbiomes of Brassica nigra
(co-supervisor Nina Fatouros)
Klarinda Jonker
MSc student
Dutch│2020
Interactions between
phyllosphere
microbiomes and
plant attackers
(co-supervisor Nina Fatouros)
Leon ten Hoopen
BSc student
Dutch│2021
Molecular characterization of black rot resistance
Former group members
Romanos Zois (2020) MSc thesis
“Genetic variation of the downy mildew resistance gene Dm3 in natural lettuce populations”
Sander Koene (2020) MSc capita
“Bacterial communities present on leaves of Brassica nigra determined through leaf imprints and leaf washes”
Merijn Kerstens (2019) MSc thesis
“Phylogenomic analysis of the APETALA2 transcription factor subfamily across angiosperms”
Jonne Bonnet (2019) BSc thesis
“Identification and characterisation of egg-associated bacterial symbionts in various insect species”
PhD-theses
co-promoted
Elysa Overdijk (2019)
“A microscopy-based approach to understand polarized exocytosis during plant defense”
Chara Schoina (2018)
“Phytophthora infestans enzymes and their role in the interaction with its hosts”
Yu Du (2014)
“Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector AVR1 and its host target Sec5”
Yan Wang (2014)
“Understanding the role of L-type lectin receptor kinases in Phytophthora resistance”
