Rene Geurts: Living on air
Video
Living on air
The origins of nitrogen symbiosis
Nitrogen: it’s essential to all life on earth and abundant in the air we breathe in and out. But it’s also one of the strongest chemical compounds we know. Only some plants can unlock the treasure inside the air, by using a special bacteria: Rhizobium. How did these plants develop this precious tool? Plant researcher René Geurts wants to crack this secret and does groundbreaking research on its evolutionary origin.
Researcher
René Geurts
<a href="http://www.dejongeakademie.nl/smartsite.dws?ch=DJA&id=23131&lang=ENG">René Geurts</a> (1968) has carried out groundbreaking research in the field of molecular developmental biology. In collaboration with other plant biologists, he has decoded a set of genes used by plants such as members of the pea family to develop root nodules to host nitrogen fixing Rhizobium bacteria. His current research focuses on the evolution of this symbiotic signalling network. The research conducted by René Geurts is interdisciplinary in nature. The line of research he has set up integrates molecular biology, genetics, physiology and cell biology. Geurts' work, including three articles published in Science magazine, has earned him international renown.
Institute
Credits
Produced by Fast Facts
With the support of The Young Academy and René Geurts
Thanks to Iris Koopmans, The Young Academy Office, Wageningen University & Research centre, Department of Plant Science
Gemaakt door: Moira van Dijk 2012
In cooperation with
Camera, editing & compositing: Jonathan Massey
Music: Daan van West
Graphic design: SproetS
