TE (Anna) Pijnacker MSc
PhD studentResearch:
Plant parasitic nematodes belong to the most devastating plant pathogens worldwide. These pathogenic worms cause disease in numerous economic important crops, such as tomato, and hence they threaten food availability. Sedentary nematodes, which form a permanent feeding structure within the plant root are especially devastating. However, the onset of nematode parasitism is not completely understood yet. Therefore, the aim of this project is to map the onset of plant parasitism using novel technologies. Microscopy will be combined with transcriptomics to study the molecular alterations underlying parasitism. Eventually, understanding the onset of plant parasitism will provide novel insights for nematode control.