2013-2016 NEMATODEFENCE A new HTP marker platform to obtain multiple durable resistance to potato cyst nematodes (Topsectoren Tuinbouw en Uitgangsmaterialen) and2014 Exploitation of sequence diversity in potato NB-LRR resistance gene clusters to determine the genomic location of novel nematode resistance loci in potato (ZonMW)These complementary projects are a collaboration between the laboratory of Nematology and four Dutch potato breeding companies. Next generation sequencing technology is used to haplotype breeding material for nematode resistance loci and to map new PCN resistance loci in segregating potato populations.Within this project I (will) do: acquisition, experimental design, communication with the commercial partners and the sequence facility, budget management, logistics, supervision practical work, data analysis, oral and written reports.2010-2012 Unraveling pathogen-specific patterns in the genomic organisation, structural features and evolutionary dynamics of R genes in tomato and potatoWithin this project, we detected the amino acid that is crucial for the recognition specificity of a potato cyst nematode resistance gene. To do this, we used another resistance gene that is similar in sequence, but confers resistance to a different pathogen (a virus). Based on the 3D structure of the proteins, we swapped amino acids located at hyper variable epitopes (publication in prep). Within this project I did: experimental design, supervision practical work, data analysis, oral and written reports, writing paper (ongoing).

2005-2010 BIOEXPLOIT Breeding fungus-resistant wheat and potatoes (EU)This European consortium consisted of 60 research groups from 42 universities, research institutes and companies. The focus of this project was wide, but the common factor was breeding for resistance in wheat and potato. Within this project, I exploited the sequence data (BAC sequences harbouring NB-LRR resistance genes) that were previously produced. In addition, I was responsible for the production of a high-resolution map and a physical map of potato cyst nematode resistance loci. Finally, I supervised an allele mining study to identify over fifty resistance gene homologues (among which are four that have a known function) from wild potato species. These homologues and functional orthologues were used to study the evolution of NB-LRR resistance genes. They were also used to define the 3D structure of the proteins. This project resulted in three scientific publications, a set of genetically anchored resistance gene homologues and a set of markers for marker assisted selection. Within this project I did: co-write the project proposal, member of the management team, responsible for the reporting of the dissemination activities of all the partners to the EU, oral and written reports, communication with other partners, supervision of two PhD students.

2003-2007 Centre for Biosystems and Genomics (CBSG): Genome-wide sequencing of resistance gene homologues in potato (Netherlands Genome Initiatieve) en2007 CBSG: NBS-profiling to anchor RGH BACs and to generate markers for association mapping (Netherlands Genome Initiatieve)The first project was carried out within a large consortium that consisted of scademic and commercial partners. The aim of this project was to sequence as many NB-LRR resistance genes from potato as possible to create a source for the Dutch resistance breeding. The project was mainly facilitating for the commercial potato breeding companies and resulted in a set of genetically anchored BAC clones harbouring NB-LRR resistance genes. In the final year of the project, the genetic anchoring was not sufficient and therefore, I applied for a second project, which was granted. For this project I did: budget management, experimental design, supervision of the practical work, communication with the sequence facility, communication and data flow to commercial partners, oral and written reports.

Molecular and genetic analyses of potato cyst nematode resistance loci