EPS Mentor Award 2026 for Geert Smant

Maize defence compound helps parasitic nematodes find their host

A compound that maize plants use to defend themselves against pests can unintentionally help parasitic nematodes locate their host. The key lies not with the plant or the nematode alone, but in a subtle interaction with soil bacteria.

Literature collection of Piet Loof is complete

Finally, it's here! The entire literature collection that Piet Loof amassed throughout his career has been digitized. Nearly 4,500 articles, reports, book chapters, and more are now available online. The oldest article dates from 1859. The most recent was published in 2007.

Lisa van Sluijs has been awarded a VENI grant

Two hundred research projects by researchers who have been awarded a Veni grant. Each researcher will receive a maximum of 320,000 euros. The grant is an incentive for adventurous, talented and groundbreaking researchers to further develop their own research ideas over the next three years.