dr. A (Anneke) Horstman

My research investigates how molecular networks regulate root system architecture: the spatial organization of roots that determines how plants capture water and nutrients and cope with environmental stress. Building on my background in stem cell regulation and gene networks, I apply this expertise to unravel the developmental and molecular principles underlying root growth and plasticity in both model species and crops.

PhD project – Root system architecture under drought (Thijs Stegmann, CropXR)

Thijs’s PhD research within the CropXR program explores how Arabidopsis roots adapt to drought stress. By combining high-resolution phenotyping in rhizotrons and transcriptomics, he examines how drought reshapes root system architecture through changes in meristem activity and cell division dynamics. The project aims to identify genetic and regulatory networks that are modulated under water limitation, providing insights for predictive models of crop resilience in fluctuating environments.

Postdoctoral project – Root system architecture in lettuce (Francesca Bellinazzo, LettuceKnow)

Francesca’s postdoctoral work in the LettuceKnow consortium focuses on genetic variation in lettuce root architecture. By integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptomics, and quantitative phenotyping, she identifies genes and molecular networks controlling root growth and branching. Her findings connect molecular biology with breeding applications, laying the groundwork for improving root traits and sustainability in leafy vegetables.