Arjan de Visser

Arjan de Visser is a Professor with a personal chair at the Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, where he has been employed since 2015. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor (2008-2015) and Assistant Professor with an NWO Vidi grant (2001-2008) at the same institution.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Genetics from Wageningen University and University of Amsterdam (1996), with advisors RF Hoekstra and H van den Ende
• Postdoc at Wageningen University's Lab of Microbiology (1998-2001) with advisor WM de Vos, supported by an NWO Veni grant
• Postdoc at Michigan State University's Center of Microbial Ecology (1996-1998) with advisor RE Lenski
• MSc in Biology from Utrecht University (1989)
• BSc in Biology from Nijmegen University (1985)

Professor de Visser's research focuses on experimental evolution, particularly studying bacterial and fungal evolution to understand the causes and constraints of evolution and explore its predictability. His main experimental model is beta-lactam resistance evolution in Escherichia coli. His work spans several key areas including bacteriology, evolutionary genetics, mycology, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, population dynamics, and microbial interactions. His laboratory collaborates with theoreticians, chemists, engineers, as well as medical and veterinary researchers to develop models and tools for quantifying the predictability of evolution and its determinants.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance evolution, particularly beta-lactam resistance in E. coli. His work combines experimental approaches with theoretical modeling to investigate how population dynamics, spatial structure, and microbial interactions affect evolutionary trajectories. A significant portion of his research examines collective resistance phenomena, where bacterial populations exhibit resistance through cooperative behaviors such as enzyme sharing. His lab has developed innovative experimental systems including droplet microreactors and gel microbeads for high-throughput bacterial competition studies.

His scientific achievements have been recognized through prestigious research grants:

• NWO Veni grant (1998-2001) supporting his postdoctoral research
• NWO Vidi grant (2001-2008) supporting his early career as an Assistant Professor

Professor de Visser leads the Microbial Experimental Evolution group at Wageningen University, where his team investigates fundamental questions in evolutionary biology using microbial systems. His laboratory employs a range of techniques including laboratory evolution experiments, population dynamics modeling, and molecular genetics to study how organisms adapt to changing environments, with particular emphasis on antibiotic resistance evolution. His research has important implications for understanding and potentially predicting the evolution of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.