One of the publications of our consortium (Van Zwieten et al.; PNAS) has been awarded as the WUR research paper of the year 2024! Scientific rigor and societal impact were important criteria in the election, thereby also demonstrating the broader impact of our project. Please take the time to read the publication once more!  

You are cordially invited to join our symposium on bio-inspired solutions for sustainable agriculture! It is the final symposium of the NWA project ‘Natural Plant Defense’, a multidisciplinary project focused on mimicking natural plant trichomes as biopesticide. The symposium will take place on the 22nd of April at WUR, Omnia building. 

The program consists of 5 inspiring talks from invited experts, ranging from insect physics to biomimicry for pest control. We will conclude with a panel discussion and, of course, drinks! 

 The official program will follow soon, we are looking forward to meeting you on 22 April! 

 On behalf of the Natural Plant Defense consortium,

Eelco Hoogwout, Leiden University 

 Mirka Macel, Guido Hilgeman, Aeres University of Applied Science Almere 

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2024/05/sticky-pests-plants-protected-with-biological-glueMay 2024

The publication in PNAS generated a lot of (international) media attention. See for instance:

- The Guardian (UK) 

- New Scientist (UK) 

- Mirage News (AUS) 

- WUR News 

- LU News  

May 2024 

The publication of Van Zwieten et al in PNAS is now available online. Check it here! 

February 2024 

 The publication of Bierman et al in the Journal of Pest Science is now available online. Check it here! 

December 2023

• Abinaya Arunachalam and Ralph van Zwieten presented their work in an interview in the chemical specialist's magazine C2W. Check it out here! 

September 2023

After the consortium meeting in Wageningen, we made a new group picture! 

September 2023

Ralph van Zwieten presented his work at the E-MRS fall meeting in Warsaw, Poland.

August 2023

Abinaya Arunachalam presented her work in an interview at the RUG news-website. Check it out here!  

July 2023

Abinaya Arunachalam presented her work in an interview at Sciencelinx (RUG). Check it out here! 

July 2023

Abinaya Arunachalam presented her work at the Vlieland Conference (RUG). 

Mirka Macel was inaugurated as lector at the Aeres Hogeschool. In her inaugural speech, she presented the work of our project.

March 2023

Mirka Macel gave a guest lecture to students of Aeres Hogeschool in Almere, as part of the module 'Specialisatie Plant' ('Plant Specialisation') 

January 2023

The internship project of Philip Gijswijt was published in an article in the specialist's magazien 'Gewasbescherming' ('Crop Protection')  

January 2023

 Thijs Bierman presented his work at the EPS Theme2 Conference (Amsterdam)

September 2022

Peter Klinkhamer, the initiator of the project, has retired. To celebrate his contribution to the field, a symposium has been held with a large focus on the project. Amongst others, Mirka Macel held a presentation.

September 2022

We have organized a symposium at the Floriade for farmers, growers and other colleagues in the industry. 

June 2022

A video outlining the goals and ideas of the project is being presented at the Floriade in Almere! Check it out here! 

June 2022

Abinaya Arunachalam presented her work at the Vlieland Conference (RUG).