For this research there is collaboration with universities from Utrecht, Nijmegen, Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Eindhoven, Groningen and Leiden. Physicist and co-applicant Gijs Wuite is affiliated from VU Amsterdam. He 'receives' two PhD students and two postdocs spread over ten years.
Mechanical forces
All living organisms are subject to the laws of physics, and are exposed to mechanical forces. These included stresses caused by neighbouring cells, but also by pathogens that are trying to invade. The researchers will study how plant cells – with an internal pressure exceeding that in a champagne bottle – perceive mechanical forces, and how such forces control growth, development, and immunity. Armed with this knowledge, the consortium will develop new strategies for improving propagation and immunity in crops.
Gravitation premium
With Gravitation, the government encourages excellent research in the Netherlands. The programme is for scientific consortia that have the potential to rank among the world's best in their field. The programme is a form of direct government research funding. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has asked Dutch Research Council NWO to realise a selection procedure for Gravitation.