Professor Dr. Corné Pieterse

Biography

Corné Pieterse is a professor of Plant-Microbe Interactions and the scientific director of the Institute of Environmental Biology at Utrecht University. His research group focuses on exploring the molecular mechanisms by which the plant immune system defends against microbial pathogens, insect herbivores, and how beneficial microbes in the plant root microbiome enhance plant growth and health. In 2022, Corné Pieterse’s team was honored with the Spinoza Prize for their significant contributions to the field. His research addresses critical societal challenges such as food security and sustainable agriculture, as plant diseases and pests account for substantial yield losses annually. The Netherlands Plant Ecophenotyping Centre (NPEC), opened in 2023 and funded by NWO Roadmap Large-Scale Research Infrastructure, plays a central role in his research. The Plant-Microbe Interactions group aims to unravel how the plant immune system orchestrates interactions among beneficial microbes, pathogens, and insects to develop sustainable strategies for disease resistance in crops.

Research Interests