prof.dr. MGM (Mark) Aarts
ProfessorThe research interests of my group concern the evolution of plant adaptation to the abiotic environment. For much of this work we use Arabidopsis thaliana, the long-term plant model species.
We investigate the natural variation for abiotic stress tolerance and response of Arabidopsis with molecular and quantitative genetic tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 or RNAi, through stable and transient transformations, or through QTL and genome-wide association analysis, making use of genetically segregating populations created in the lab or obtained from international collaborators or stock centres. I am especially interested in two topics, understanding the (variation for) regulation of zinc homeostasis in plants and identification of the natural variation underlying efficiency of photosynthesis under the influence of environment.
An extreme case of aberrant regulation of zinc homeostasis is found in Noccaea caerulescens (see picture), a Zn/Cd/Ni hyperaccumulating relative of Arabidopsis, for which we determined the whole genome sequence. Evolution of metal hyperaccumulation in N. caerulescens is studied using population genomics and quantitative genetics, supplemented with mutant screens and gene function analysis molecular genetics. Current focus is on the role of copy number variation in the rapid adaptation to high Zn and/or Cd exposure.
For our photosynthesis research we perform genome wide association studies in Arabidopsis, but also examine the nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction in so-called cytoplasmic swap panels, in which novel nuclear-cytoplasmic combinations are represented. Allelic variation is as much as possible unraveled up to the mutations causal for the observed phenotypic variation.
Another species we examine is Hirschfeldia incana, Mediterranean mustard, which displays exceptionally high levels of photosynthesis at high light, especially for a C3 photosynthesis plant.
Chair holder
Staff
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prof.dr. DK (Duur) Aanen
Personal Professor -
prof.dr. MGM (Mark) Aarts
Professor -
dr.ir. AJM (Fons) Debets
Associate professor -
dr.ing. JJB (Joost) Keurentjes
Associate professor -
dr.ir. BA (Bart) Pannebakker
Associate Professor -
dr.ir. SE (Sijmen) Schoustra
Associate Professor UHD1 -
prof.dr. JAGM (Arjan) de Visser
Professor -
E (Eveline) Snelders PhD MSc
Assistant professor -
J (Joost) van den Heuvel
Assistant Professor -
dr. HM (Hilje) Doekes
Assistant Professor -
BEW (Ben) Auxier MSc
Assistant Professor -
dr. R (René) Boesten
Teacher -
dr. A (Antony) van der Ent
Assistant Professor
Post docs
PhD Students
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M (Mariska) Beekman
PhD Candidate -
G (Giannoula) Bogka
PhD Candidate -
SH (Helena) Donner
PhD Candidate -
M (Murambiwa) Nyati
PhD Candidate -
NR (Nicky) Faber MSc
PhD Candidate -
HH (Hylke) Kortenbosch MSc
PhD Candidate -
AL (Aschalew) Demie
PhD Candidate -
LL (Louise) Logie MSc
PhD Candidate -
AI (Alexander) Tulloch Lapresa
PhD Candidate -
LLM (Laura) van Schijndel MSc
PhD Candidate -
C (Chang) Cui
PhD Candidate -
A (Ardinesh) Kambanje
PhD Candidate -
T (Taonga) Chirwa-Moonga MSc
PhD Candidate -
A (Alan) Pauls
PhD Candidate -
Z (Zilal) Suleiman-Alkadour MSc
PhD Candidate -
AM (Alanna) Leale MSc
PhD Candidate -
S (Sakile) Kudita
PhD Candidate -
O (Olga) Grum-Grzhimaylo
PhD Candidate -
MM (Mundia) Phiri MSc
PhD Candidate -
JA (Jasmin) Farhana
PhD Candidate -
CSG (Clara) Lumori MSc
PhD Candidate -
L (Laura) Groenenberg MSc
PhD Candidate -
B (Bo) Briggeman
PhD Candidate -
M (Mariana) Santos Couto Silva MSc
PhD Candidate -
J (Jeroen) van der Woude MSc
PhD Candidate -
S (Spyros) Kanellopoulos
PhD Candidate -
A (Ai) Lin
PhD Candidate
Support staff
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MW (Marjan) Kampinga
Management Office Assistant -
dr.ir. E (Eric) Bastiaans
Research Assistant -
FFM (Frank) Becker BSc
Research Assistant -
J (Jose) van de Belt
Research Assistant -
ir. G (Gabriella) Bukovinszkine Kiss
Research Assistant -
CJ (Corrie) Hanhart
Research Assistant -
JJH (Jordy) Litjens MSc BSc
Research Assistant -
dr. FC (Francisca) Reyes Marquez
Research Assistant