NWO Vici for Merijn Kant, University of Amsterdam

Merijn Kant works as associated Professor at the Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology. He received the Vici  to investigate “Anticipating pest formation using smart resistance genes”.

Pest formation is elusive. With this VICI project molecular ecologist Merijn Kant will make pest formation in agriculture predictable. Using “co-evolution in a petri dish”, he will first develop smart resistance genes and then map out the spectrum of adaptations with which the pest can break through these resistances. He wants to demonstrate empirically that such smart resistance genes can be used to anticipate and prevent pest formation on crops.

For more information have a look at the NWO website.