1st Joint Retreat of the PhD Students
in Experimental Plant Sciences
The Dutch Graduate School
"Experimental Plant Sciences" (EPS)
EPS is a collaborative research and teaching institution of Wageningen University (WU), Radboud University (RU), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), Leiden University (LU), University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Utrecht University (UU). The main purpose of its educational programme is to guarantee a significant scientific level for all students graduated within the context of EPS.
Within the Course Programme of the Graduate School EPS, the 'seminars' and 'specialized' courses are of major interest. Experts in relevant research areas are invited for the seminar series and internationally recognized scientists take part in the specialized courses as teachers.

The PhD Students Council

The EPS PhD Students Council consists of PhD Students which are connected to the Graduate School EPS through their research departments. Each member brings forward the opinion and ideas of the respective group.
The Council pleads for the interest of all the EPS PhD Students. The Council meets 4-6 times per year and discusses matters such as the educational programme (courses, seminars, symposia, PhD Students days, etc.), research facilities, the PhD supervision and research opportunities.

EPS research

EPS covers a broad field of disciplines. Molecular biologists, cell biologists, plant physiologists, microbiologists, phytochemists, biophysicists, cytologists, taxonomists, biochemists, geneticists, entomologists, virologists, phytopathologists, phytomycologists, nematologists, plant breeders, and ecologists now collaborate more than ever before. Collaborations are stimulated through strategic programmes within and outside the graduate school EPS.
EPS provides a national platform for plant sciences in the Netherlands with international links within and outside Europe. The membership of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) of EPS is an example of such an international platform function. In recent years EPS research has rapidly moved to the international go up forefront of scientific developments.

Currently research at the EPS is devided into 4 themes:
  • Developmental Biology of Plants
    The research within this theme aims at elucidating the molecular and cellular bases of the processes that govern plant development.
    • Perception & Transduction of Signals in Plant Development
    • Embryogenesis and Organogenesis
    • Reproduction Biology

  • Interactions between Plants and Biotic Agents
    The study of interactions between plants and their attackers encompasses three interacting components: the activity of the (pathogenic) microorganism or herbivorous insect, the reaction of the plant and the influence of the (a)biotic environment.

    • Pathogenicity Factors
    • Resistance
    • Multitrophic Interaction

  • Metabolism and Adaptation
    The mechanisms that form the basis for this plant flexibility and adaptivity are investigated within this theme.

    • Metabolites and Metabolic Pathways; Nutritional Quality
    • Partitioning, Storage and Transport
    • Plasticity and Stress

  • Genome Plasticity
    EPS research on genome plasticity describes genetic variation and aims to unravel genetic and evolutionary mechanisms, also with the purpose of providing materials and tools for the other three research themes and for plant breeding in general.

    • The Structure and Organisation of Genomes and Epigenetic Patterns>
    • Meiotic Recombination
      • go up
    • Biosystematics and Biodiversity