Testimonials
Curious about what it's like to study the Bachelor's Biology? Read about the experiences of students, teachers and alumni below. What's the atmosphere like, what drives teachers and where will you end up?
Testimonials of students
When I came to Radboud University, I immediately felt at home.
- Previous education
- VWO (Science & Technology and Science & Health)
- Programme
- Biology
- Study start date
- Study end date
Student Ruth van der Laan is studying the Bachelor's programme in Biology at Radboud University.
Why did you choose Radboud University?
When I arrived at Radboud University, I immediately felt at home. The atmosphere is friendly and approachable. People greet each other in the corridors and I felt at ease straight away. I already knew I wanted to study Biology, and for me it was a big advantage that they have a university medical centre here, and you have to do an internship during your Bachelor's programme. Not every university offers that. I was still considering Wageningen and Utrecht, but the atmosphere and the opportunity to explore broadly meant the choice for Nijmegen was quickly made.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
The transition from secondary school to university went very smoothly. In the first week of your programme, you have a skills week where you're helped with the programs and skills you'll need to use during your studies. The subjects build upon each other, which means you gradually learn more and more things. The transition to completely English-taught education also went quite well. I didn't have much difficulty with it myself, but I did have friends who were a bit uncertain about their English at the beginning. Now they regularly present in front of lecture halls!
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
What appeals to me about the Bachelor's programme is that you get a really broad foundation in your first year and a half. This means you first get to know all fields of biology a bit, after which there are plenty of elective subjects to specialise in what you find interesting! I find this very pleasant. You get many opportunities to specialise and develop. This can also be challenging at times, because if you're taking a subject you don't really enjoy, or if you don't get along with the lecturer, that can be quite difficult. That requires quite a bit of adaptability and discipline from you.
The study pressure can also be challenging. This depends on the subject and the period - some are more difficult than others. If you have a period with subjects where you're standing in the lab for long days and have to write lots of reports, this can be quite intense. Especially if you let your planning slip a bit, causing you to fall behind.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
I find the atmosphere within the programme really pleasant. Lecturers are happy to discuss the material or related topics with you. Most are super enthusiastic about their subject and are keen to share that enthusiasm. You can always approach them with questions or for a chat. You regularly bump into them in the corridors, and if they recognise you, they always say hello! The majority of students are also enthusiastic and proactive when it comes to collaboration on group projects, for example, even when you're working with people you don't know (very well).
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I'm not entirely sure what I want to do yet. I definitely want to pursue a Master's programme, and I'm currently exploring my options. Probably something in the direction of microbiology, conservation or forensic sciences.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
I'm currently active in our sports committee ATP! Here we organise all sorts of sports-related activities, from our annual volleyball tournament to ice skating and an MMA clinic. I've also been a mentor during freshers' week and spent a year on the party committee. Through these activities, I've made many friends at the study association and I love attending drinks and other events.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
What attracted me to Nijmegen is that whilst it's a city, it's not as large as Utrecht or Amsterdam, for example. It's incredibly welcoming and there's plenty to do! I love having cups of tea with friends in one of the countless cafés or sitting on a terrace with a beer.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
I attended many open days, most of them online unfortunately or with coronavirus restrictions. I also went to several Student for a Days and Experience Days when I was still choosing between two or three programmes. I found walking around the campus on open days or during a Student for a Day the most valuable. For me, atmosphere is incredibly important, and I benefited greatly from walking around the campus and talking to students and lecturers. This way, I could imagine whether and how I would move around there.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Attend lots of open days! Even if you think you know what you want, have a look at other programmes as well. Walk around the campus, chat with students and join experience days to see if it's really something you'll get enthusiastic about!
There are also beautiful nature reserves within cycling distance, which naturally makes me absolutely enthusiastic as a biologist.
- Previous education
- VWO (Science and Technology and Science and Health)
- Programme
- Biology
- Study start date
- Study end date
Student Zara Vonk is following the Bachelor's programme in Biology at Radboud University.
Why did you choose Radboud University?
I chose Radboud University because the Biology programme offered here is very broad. This appealed to me, as I don't yet know which direction within biology I'd like to pursue, and the broad Bachelor's programme gives me a good introduction and orientation to various fields within biology. Additionally, I find Nijmegen a lovely city with a welcoming atmosphere.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
My transition from secondary school to university went quite smoothly. I first took a gap year during which I worked as an au pair in Spain. This experience made me more independent, so it wasn't such a big step when I eventually moved to live on my own in Nijmegen. The pace and way the material was delivered to us took some getting used to, because everything naturally moves much faster. Additionally, my programme is taught in English, so it took a bit of adjustment to the language, but that generally went quite easily. The programme helped with this transition by providing lots of support at the beginning, clearly explaining what we needed to do and what was expected of us. We also have a coach you can visit if you need help, and they sometimes contact you to check how you're getting on.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I really enjoy the Bachelor's programme in biology at Radboud University because it's very broad. In the first year and a half, you take a number of compulsory subjects that give you a brief introduction to the different follow-up learning trajectories. This means you already know a bit about everything and can better decide which direction you'd like to go in, based on your interests. I think the most challenging aspect of the programme is the pace at which the material is covered and having to do many things simultaneously. For example, you're working on multiple projects for different subjects whilst also keeping up with lectures or studying for exams.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere within the programme is absolutely lovely! The people are very diverse and open. There's a friendly atmosphere and the students are enthusiastic about learning biology. There's also a really nice study association that's very active, which means you have lots of contact with people from other years. The contact and collaboration between students and lecturers is also good. Actually, all lecturers are open to extra questions, for example, and are happy to be in the lecture hall.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I'm currently still exploring my options regarding future plans with this Bachelor's programme. I do plan to pursue a Master's, but I'm not yet certain about the direction.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
I'm very active within the study association myself. I'm on the drinks committee and have recently become its chair. This means I'm also part of Internal Relations, where committee chairs stay in contact with each other and the study association's board. I also attend many of the organised activities, which gives me lots of contact with people from all years of the programme.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I think Nijmegen is a really lovely city! There's a wonderful atmosphere with lots of nice people. In the evenings, you'll always find people in the city centre, especially around the Grote Markt with its terraces or in the nightlife district where there's always plenty going on. Nijmegen also has the Waal, which is an ideal spot, particularly in summer, for picnicking on the beach with your friends. There are also beautiful nature reserves within cycling distance, which naturally gets me really excited as a biologist.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
When I was still at secondary school, I attended many open days. These days were very valuable because they give you a better picture of the programme and how it's structured. I also attended a Student for a Day event, where I shadowed a Bachelor's student from my programme before I started studying it myself. Such a day gives you a good idea of what a day as a student looks like because you get to see a lecture and sometimes you can also participate in activities like a laboratory practical. You can also ask questions to someone who's already studying the programme and you'll get honest answers.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
I'd recommend attending lots of open days or information events. This way, you can get a good sense of programmes that seem appealing to you and also identify which programmes really don't interest you. Once you have an idea of what you enjoy, I'd suggest looking into whether you can do a Student for a Day experience to get a better understanding, and then ask plenty of questions about everything related to the programme and student life (because that's really important too). So definitely ask lots of questions to students to find out what it'll be like for you.
If you are not too sure on what you want to do in the future, just go for what you like the most and feels right.
- Previous education
- International Baccalaureate (Platon School Athens)
- Programme
- Biology
- Study start date
- Study end date
Bachelor’s student Athina Karakousi Rouiz is studying (Medical) Biology at Radboud University.
Why did you choose Radboud University?
After comparing different science programmes at several universities, I chose to study at Radboud due to the curriculum. More specifically, I really liked the flexibility to choose a specialisation in your second year and even the opportunity to follow a minor. I also really liked the campus facilities, for example, the Sports Centre, which offers a wide variety of courses and classes you can follow.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
The first few weeks were like an adventure: many parties, getting acquainted with the city and the people around. However, things got a bit harder when the first exam period came. This is when I realised I was on my own; I had to cook, do groceries, and clean, while also making sure I had enough time to study. It was chaotic at the beginning but it only took some months to get used to it. From the first year, we had some coaching sessions where we could talk about our experiences with lectures and share how the transition had been. Talking to a coach and other students from my group was helpful as it made me realise that a lot of us were feeling and struggling with the same things.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I like that for the first half of the programme, you take many different courses from different areas. This allows you to explore what you like and what you don't. Then, for the second half of the programme you can choose any courses that interest you, which is great. Nevertheless, some courses can be quite tough, especially due to the large amount of studying you need to do. I think the most challenging part has been staying up to date with the content of all courses.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere is really good. Teachers are always willing to help. You can really feel that it is a safe environment to ask any questions you might have and even discuss the topics further.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
I am part of the ABO (Education committee) from BeeVee. We mainly organise study and knowledge related activities for all Biology students.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I like that the city is not too small but also not too big. You can get anywhere by bike and there are quite a lot of nice cozy cafes and parks to visit.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I would like to follow a Master's programme in the field of Pharmacology. It is still unclear whether I will stay in Nijmegen or go to a different city, but I know that I want to dedicate myself to researching new drugs and developing therapies for still incurable diseases.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
I attended the Bachelor's Open Day online since I was in a different country. It was very useful as it gave me an insight into what the Bachelor's in Biology looked like and I was able to ask any questions I had directly via the chat.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Don't pressure yourself too much into choosing the "perfect" study programme for you. If you are not too sure on what you want to do in the future, just go for what you like the most and feels right. Most of the time you will be able to explore different fields during your studies by for example, taking a minor or just taking electives at different faculties.
I myself use a wheelchair, so I did have some concerns, but everyone is very accommodating!
- Previous education
- VWO, dominicuscollege Nijmegen, profile N&H
- Nationality
- Nederlands
- Programme
- Biology
- Country of previous education
- Nederland
- Study start date
- Study end date
Lucie Hendrix is a Bachelor's student Biology.
Why did you specifically choose Radboud University?
I had been attending secondary school in Nijmegen for a number of years, so I was already familiar with the city. After the bachelor's open day, I signed up for the “student for a day” programme, and after that taster day, I knew for sure that I wanted to study at Radboud University. First of all, the programme appealed to me, but I also really like the atmosphere. I'm in a wheelchair, so I did see some obstacles to studying in a new place, but everyone is very supportive, which is great!
How did you find the transition from secondary school to university?
The first week was devoted to familiarising myself with the new teaching methods (lectures and tutorials), apps such as Brightspace and Osiris, and the campus itself. I really appreciated this, because it works a little differently than in secondary school. After this week, I was able to start the real work with a lot more confidence!
What appeals to you about the Bachelor's programme and why? What do you find most challenging about the programme?
In the first year, you get a very broad foundation: every topic in biology is covered. I liked this because I didn't know beforehand which part of the subject I would find most interesting. The most challenging thing is sometimes the workload. Occasionally, the deadlines for several projects coincide, and then it can be difficult not to stress out. But with good planning, everything always works out in the end.
How do you experience the atmosphere within the programme?
Everyone is very committed to each other. I have made a number of good friends. The lecturers are also accessible. Most of them are happy to help if you have any questions and they are always very enthusiastic about their subject, which makes it more enjoyable for us too.
What do you want to do with this degree once you have your bachelor's degree?
I'm still undecided whether I want to go into teaching or pursue a PhD. There are lots of possibilities!
Are you involved in the study association?
Yes, I'm a member of BeeVee and I'm active in the photography committee: Diafragma
What do you like about Nijmegen?
It's not too big a city, which makes me feel safe. There's also lots to do! And good food: I like going to Mr Jack's.
Which information activities did you attend as a school pupil that you found valuable and why?
Bachelor's open day and “student for a day”. (See above) I also had a meeting with the study advisor before I enrolled. This is not usual, but I had some concerns about how I would manage with my disability and we discussed them. I was very grateful for that opportunity!
What advice/tips would you give to future students?
Talk to people who can help you. At the open day, you can ask questions to students and staff. This helped me enormously in my choice and in alleviating my concerns.
The programme is very broad and the student life is very inclusive.
- Previous education
- Highschool European School of the Hague
- Nationality
- Italian
- Programme
- Biology
- Country of previous education
- Italy
- Study start date
- Study end date
Giulia Ellero is a bachelor student Biology.
Why did you choose Radboud University?
I chose it because the atmosphere felt very homey and welcoming. Also, the programme is very broad and the student life is very inclusive.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university?
I think it was easier than I expected as I am used to studying alone and a lot for various different subjects.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why?
I really like how broad the programme is because I am still not sure of what I want to do in the future so the programme gives me a good overview of many different fields. I also like how welcoming and understanding the community is to students which makes the whole experience nicer. The programme has challenged me in developing new skills such as those in TBL.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
I think the atmosphere is very welcoming and personal. I feel comfortable with asking questions and being part of the class.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I plan on doing a Master's degree and maybe a doctorate.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme?
I do not think I am very involved but I do go to the events organised when I can.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I like how small and family-friendly it is.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies?
I went to the open day in March and it was very useful. Especially the mock lectures as I knew what to expect as a whole learning experience.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
To really think about what you like and then choose accordingly, with compromises. If you do not choose what you like, you will not be continuing your studies for long.
I chose Radboud University because I enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it provided during my programme.
- Previous education
- IB diploma - State International School Seeheim Jugenheim
- Nationality
- German and American
- Country of previous education
- Germany
- Study start date
- Study end date
Elena Amexis is a bachelor's student Medical Biology
Why did you choose Radboud University?
I chose Radboud University because I enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it provided during my programme. It also gave me the chance to choose my own learning trajectory, out of many different ones and keeping high-quality education and providing good resources such as online lectures and recordings.
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
It was not that difficult; the environment was international, and many events and activities were hosted by my study association. Intro week was also great for bonding.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I like that it is very broad and allows you to specify what you want to go into, and it is not written out for you.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class (for example the relationship between students and with the teachers/researchers)?
It is very relaxed; teachers/researchers especially in biology are super chill and open for discussions/questions of any sort. They are always helpful when you need it and tend to take time to listen and help you.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
I want to pursue a Master's degree, I am not sure where yet, but it will definitely be related to medical biology specifically immunology.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
Yes, I am a part of FC, which is the party committee of BeeVee. We organise parties for biologists.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
I like that it is a relatively small city, but there are so many students. The nightlife is always fun, no matter what day of the week and there are nice markets, nature and activities to do.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Look into the first year courses, and the possibility of your study to choose your own courses. If you already know what you want to do in the future, look into all the courses for similar studies, sometimes the "titles" of the studies may sound like what you are interested in, but the courses may not align completely.
I attended several open days, mainly to get a feel for the atmosphere.
- Nationality
- Dutch
- Programme
- Biology
- Country of previous education
- The Netherlands
- Study start date
- Study end date
Daisy Strik is a Bachelor's student in Biology.
Why did you specifically choose Radboud University?
This university is reasonably close to where I live, which makes the commute very convenient.
How did you find the transition from secondary school to university?
I didn't really feel that you were given specific guidance at university, although I expect that would be possible if there was a need for it.
What appeals to you about the Bachelor's programme and why?
The fact that I have the opportunity to specialise after 1,5 years.
The most challenging aspect is the long lab days with a lot of preparation, which sometimes means that you don't have enough time for other subjects that require your full attention.
How do you experience the atmosphere within the programme?
I like the atmosphere. I have a lot of practicals and tutorials, which means I have a lot of contact with TAs, so the programme doesn't always feel like a place where a lecturer tells you information and you learn it.
What do you want to do with this degree once you have your bachelor's degree?
I would like to pursue a Master's degree in the medical (microbiological) field, possibly a Master's in Biomedical Sciences, but I'm not sure yet.
With that Master's degree, I hope to be eligible to do research, possibly at this university.
Are you involved in the study association?
Yes, I am involved in the study association, but I haven't attended many of their activities yet, apart from the introduction week, of course.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
The city is not too big, which makes it feel like a very large village.
In addition, there is a campus with all the classrooms together, which is easily accessible by public transport and relatively close to the central railway station compared to cities such as Utrecht or Maastricht.
Which information activities did you attend as a school pupil that you found valuable and why?
I attended several open days, mainly to get a feel for the atmosphere.
I attended several taster days, but only one per study programme, where I received a lot of general information and gained an insight into the study programme itself.
I also attended the VWO 4 student day, but I don't remember much about that.
What advice/tips would you give to future students?
Don't worry too much if you don't get into your first-choice programme. Your second-choice programme is also very enjoyable; otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen it as your second option.
I really like Radboud campus; everything is close together and it's easy to get from one building to another.
- Nationality
- Dutch and Iranian
- Programme
- Biology
- Country of previous education
- The Netherlands
- Study start date
- Study end date
Sara Shahbaz Koshki is a Bachelor's student in Biology.
Why did you specifically choose Radboud University?
I really like the Radboud campus; everything is close together and it's easy to get from one building to another. Nijmegen is also a really nice city, and Radboud University makes it even better!
How did you find the transition from secondary school to university? How were you supported in your studies?
I found the transition from secondary school to university very pleasant. Lecturers are very considerate and help you when you need it. The material is built up gradually, so you don't really notice a big gap between the two.
What appeals to you about the bachelor's programme and why? What do you find most challenging about the programme?
My programme is entirely in English, which I thought was really cool because it makes me more internationally orientated. Of course, there are also lots of nice international students, so a mix of different people is always fun!
How do you experience the atmosphere within the programme?
The atmosphere is really nice. There are lots of opportunities to get to know other students in the programme, and the same goes for the lecturers. You can interact with your lecturers both in lectures and outside of them!
What do you want to do with this degree once you have your Bachelor's degree?
I would like to specialise further and do a Master's degree. This is because I really enjoy the atmosphere of my study programme and find it very interesting.
Are you involved in the study association? If so, in what way?
Yes, I am a member of my study association and also serve on a committee as treasurer. I really enjoy this, and it allows me to meet many new people!
What do you like about Nijmegen?
The atmosphere is very pleasant, and there are many peers, so it is easy to get together with others to enjoy activities in the city, for example! There is always something to do in the city!
Which information activities did you attend as a secondary school student that you found valuable and why?
I went to open days and several taster days. Open days are especially good if you don't yet know exactly what you want to study. A taster day is really useful if you already have a study programme in mind and want to see if this is really THE study programme for you (without all the fuss).
What advice/tips would you give to future students?
Choose a programme that you really enjoy. University isn't always easy enough to do something you don't enjoy. If you choose a subject that you find really interesting, it's 100 times easier to study for it!
Testimonials of teachers and researchers
How can you convert nitrogen or methane into a harmless substance using bacteria?
Understanding and improving the world - that's where it all began for Laura van Niftrik. History, politics, biology and chemistry all captured her interest. She chose microbiology. Now she works as a professor of microbiology at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
As a secondary school student, Laura van Niftrik excelled in both humanities and science subjects. 'I was politically active and had an interest in the food industry and the environment. That's how I arrived at choosing between biology or chemistry. I chose biology, a broad programme that also involves chemistry. I quickly became fascinated by the “invisible world” of bacteria. Microorganisms that are essential for our lives and can do incredible things.'
How do bacteria work?
Laura van Niftrik now heads her own department of scientific researchers as professor of Microbiology at Radboud University Nijmegen. 'My chair is in Microbial Cell Biology and Biochemistry. My team consists of eleven people, PhD candidates and postdoc researchers. Research is always teamwork. We conduct fundamental research here into how bacteria actually work. Together with companies, we translate that knowledge into practical applications.'
Environmental side of microbiology
Her research team focuses on the environmental side of microbiology. 'We investigate how you can clean up waste using bacteria. How can you, for example, convert nitrogen or methane into harmless substances with the help of bacteria? We're therefore constantly searching for new bacteria that can do this. We estimate that we currently have insight into approximately 5 per cent of all bacteria that exist. So there's still a lot of work to be done.'
Bacterium removes ammonia from wastewater
A remarkable little creature that can clean up waste from the environment is anammox. 'This bacterium was discovered in the nineties. Anammox consumes ammonia and converts this harmful nitrogen into harmless nitrogen gas. We've investigated how this bacterium manages this. Several wastewater treatment plants in the Netherlands now work with the anammox bacterium to remove ammonia from wastewater.'
Giving lectures to students
Besides research, Laura van Niftrik gives lectures to students. 'As a professor, you're busy with three things: research, teaching and management. For first-year students, I provide introductory microbiology lectures. Those lectures are in English, because half of our first-years don't come from the Netherlands. I also give microbial cell biology lectures to Master's students. I spend most of my research time on grant applications and supervising my research team. Additionally, I work with colleagues to set the direction for our research institute. That involves a lot of meetings at our own university, but also with other universities.'
Giving advice to researchers
Laura van Niftrik finds supervising her research group in the laboratory most enjoyable. 'I review and assess research outcomes, give tips and advice, and help researchers get the best out of themselves in this way. And sometimes I have to slow them down, because researchers are driven and enthusiastic people.'
This interview first appeared on TechGelderland. Photos: Linda Verweij.
I want to find out why some plants can withstand heat better than others.
Ivo Rieu is a Professor of Crop Biotechnology at Radboud University in Nijmegen. He leads research focused on how plants cope with climate change, particularly their response to heatwaves.
A current topic, as the changing climate has a significant impact on our food crops worldwide. Not only humans and animals suffer from heat stress, but plants do too. As a scientific researcher, Ivo Rieu and his team focus on crops grown for human consumption, such as tomatoes and beans.
‘The problem is that many plants become less fertile during periods of high temperatures. They produce fewer seeds and fruits. A heatwave when tomato plants are blooming can destroy the entire harvest.’
Developing crops
There are two possible solutions to this problem, and both are being applied. Ivo Rieu outlines: ‘There are farmers and gardeners who switch to another crop that is resistant to the heat. The second solution is to develop variants of crops with increased resistance to heatwaves. This is what we are researching.’
Genetic technology: time savings
As a biotechnologist, Ivo Rieu uses a plant or parts of it to cultivate a crop with desired characteristics. ‘In the past, breeding was done by crossbreeding and selecting plants by eye. Nowadays, we use genetic technology. With this technology, we save a lot of time because we can work at the gene level with seedlings and don’t have to go through the entire growing cycle. What used to take three months can now be done in a day.’
‘For example, a DNA sample is made from a piece of leaf. This sample is then "read" with special equipment. We don’t do this ourselves. There are companies specialised in this, and they provide us with the ready-made DNA code on which we conduct our research.’
Defense mechanisms
Using DNA, Ivo Rieu investigates the defence mechanisms of plants. 'We want to find out why some plants can withstand heat better than others. If we identify the piece of DNA responsible for this, we can selectively crossbreed plants and expose them to heat in a greenhouse. If it works, we test it on-site.
We have done this successfully in Italy, Spain, and Turkey. This is the applied part of our research. These insights help us make agriculture and horticulture more sustainable and climate-resilient. Breeding companies are already using the findings from our research.'
Understanding the defense mechanism
‘If we find a piece of DNA that makes a plant more heat-resistant, we also want to know how it works. What exactly does that piece of DNA do? We want to understand the defence mechanism.’
A process of at least ten years
According to Ivo Rieu, this defence mechanism can be used for different types of plants. This means that if the mechanism works in tomato plants, it will likely work in cucumbers or eggplants as well. ‘The piece of DNA that prevents heat stress in tomatoes can then be transferred to other crops.’
However, the whole process is not a quick fix. Ivo Rieu estimates that it will take at least ten years before such crops are available for cultivation and consumption.
Food security and sustainability
Ivo Rieu and his team are the only research group in the Netherlands focusing on this topic. ‘This research is becoming increasingly important because climate change is a global problem with significant impacts on our food crops.’
‘We provide solutions derived from nature or developed using a biotechnological approach. It is incredibly motivating to contribute to something as important as food security and sustainability.’
A sensor aids in the diagnosis and in the optimisation and further development of medication.
A pill equipped with an ingestible sensor that can perform measurements in the stomach and intestines, or a new laser technique to measure the ripeness of fruit on the tree. These are just a few examples of developments that the staff at OnePlanet Research Center in Nijmegen and Wageningen are working on. Richard van Wezel, Director of Health at OnePlanet, discusses the unique collaboration among educational and research institutions.
Developing new digital technology for a healthy and sustainable world is the aim of OnePlanet, the multidisciplinary collaboration between Wageningen University & Research, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc), and Imec, a leading Belgian research center.
Sensor technology is one of the focal points. Since 1 January 2024, Richard van Wezel has been the Director of Health at the OnePlanet Research Center. He also works as a professor of Neuroscience at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, part of Radboud University Nijmegen.
Stimulating business activity
"OnePlanet was established five years ago with support from the Province of Gelderland to stimulate business activity and innovation. The beauty of this collaboration is that we develop things that we actually bring to market. With every idea we want to develop, we ask ourselves if there is a market for it: are people or companies willing to pay for it?" says Van Wezel.
"This is a very different starting point for university researchers compared to the research academics usually engage in."
Gut flora
A pill equipped with an ingestible sensor that measures and records the temperature in your stomach and intestines, among other things, and tracks how long food stays in your intestines, has already been tested on healthy volunteers. Work is still ongoing on a pill that can take a sample from your stomach or intestines for analysis, with the first human studies expected in 2025.
"These are important developments for better treating patients with chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease. But for other diseases, like Parkinson's, the gut flora plays an important role that affects your health. A sensor helps in diagnosing and in the optimisation and further development of medication."
Nitrogen sensor
Van Wezel also talks about the intensive work on new sensors for the food industry and agriculture.
"In our society, there is a significant shortage of labour in healthcare and agriculture. With our products, we try to find solutions for this. For example, we have developed a nitrogen sensor to perform measurements around a farm, and a laser technique to measure the ripeness of fruits in the orchard so you know when they can be picked. Another example is mapping an orchard in 3D, so you can indicate in advance to workers or a robot which branches need to be pruned. This saves time and labour and increases production."
One project
Not only is a lot of time and energy spent on developing the sensor, but careful handling of all collected data and ensuring privacy also require attention.
"Within OnePlanet, we work together with about a hundred employees. There are colleagues who deal with market research and business development, but also those who work on legislation, safety, and electronics. This means that together, we can conceive a product within a few years and actually bring it to market. That really is unique."
This testimonial previously appeared on TechGelderland.nl. Photo: Raphael Drent