Research at the Laboratory of Nematology
Nematodes, or roundworms, form a highly diverse group of microscopically small animals that are abundantly present in almost all imaginable environments on our planet. The Laboratory of Nematology studies the biology of these nematodes, and associated organisms, to understand and predict their functioning in agricultural and natural ecosystems. We focus on nematodes as key factors in soil resilience and nutrient cycling, and as a persistent threat to animal, human and plant health. With our research and teaching, we aim to contribute to the development of sustainable food production systems and prevention of disease in humans and animals.
Research themes
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Soil Health
Soils belong to the most densely inhabited and biodiverse habitats of our planet. Bacteria and fungi are the dominant organismal groups in soil. Nematodes are by far the most abundant animals, benefitting from the presence of plant roots, bacteria, fungi, insects and other nematodes as major food sources. Protists are main consumers of the bacterial and fungal community. Together these biota form the soil food web: a network of interactions that determines the biological functioning of soils. For decades, soils were considered to be too complex to study, but fortunately this is no longer true.
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Plant Health
Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major threat to crop production and food safety worldwide. The hallmark of all plant-feeding nematodes is the presence of a needle-like structure in the mouth region, which is used to penetrate plant cell walls. Many plant-parasitic nematodes engage in a prolonged and intimate relationship with their host plants on which they fully depend for development and reproduction. Infection of plant roots often involve complex alterations in host cell morphology and function, seemingly without activating the innate immune system of their hosts.
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Human and Animal Health
Worldwide roughly two billion people and even more livestock and companion animals are infected by nematodes. These animal-parasitic nematodes affect the quality of life as chronic infections may cause serious health problems and undermine the productivity of livestock farming. Animal-parasitic nematodes engage in an intimate relationship with their host on which they fully depend for development and reproduction. Host-parasite co-evolution has allowed these nematodes to become master manipulators of the immune system, which is illustrated by suppression of innate and adaptive immunity, induction of regulatory immune responses and changes in microbiome composition.
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Education Innovation
At Nematology, we heavily invest in educational development and innovation. Our education innovation projects focus on themes such as peer feedback, academic writing, self-regulation, boundary crossing and career orientation. Within our projects, we have designed group activities, learning trajectories, supportive online materials, and games.