My research is about beneficial plant–microbe interactions to deliver biotechnological solutions for sustainable agriculture. We study legume–rhizobia symbiosis, where nodules host nitrogen‑fixing bacteria, reducing fertilizer dependence. Currently, my group leads initiatives to establish soybean as a climate‑resilient crop in Flanders and North-Western Europe, identifying native nitrogen‑fixing strains adapted to colder soils. This includes the citizen science project “Soy in 1000 Gardens,” linking research with public engagement. Beyond legumes, we apply extensive plant omics technologies alongside root microbiome engineering to decode molecular signaling between plants and beneficial microbes and design bacterial consortia to enhance plant stress resilience. This integrative approach allows us to link molecular mechanisms with applied biotech innovations, ensuring that discoveries directly translate into sustainable agricultural solutions.

Keynote Details

Tuesday 30 June

Symposium 16: Soil as a living system

Decoding beneficial plant–microbe interactions: Citizen science and Omics‑driven pathways to sustainable crop production

Our citizen science initiative “Soy in 1000 Gardens” demonstrates how participatory research can accelerate biotechnological innovation in agriculture. By identifying soybean nodulators adapted to local soils, we uncovered nitrogen‑fixing strains that excel commercial strains to nodulate soybean when grown in our region. This project highlights how community engagement, industry collaboration, and fundamental science can converge to deliver climate‑resilient protein crops for Europe, strengthening agricultural independence in a shifting climate and geopolitical landscape.
Building on this translational success, our lab applies advanced plant omics and microbiome engineering to decode the molecular basis of endosymbiosis. Using single‑cell transcriptomics and spatial metabolomics, we map nutrient‑regulated signaling networks in soybean nodules. These approaches reveal how carbon and nitrogen balances govern symbiotic development. By integrating discovery science with applied biotech, we aim to design microbial consortia and crop solutions that enhance stress resilience and nutrient efficiency, bridging molecular insights with scalable agricultural innovation.