Jose Lozano Torres

Jose Lozano Torres serves as Assistant Professor at the Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University & Research, where he investigates molecular mechanisms of plant-nematode interactions with emphasis on effector proteins and plant immune responses. His work bridges agricultural science and molecular biology to develop sustainable nematode management strategies.

Research focuses on root-knot and cyst nematodes (Meloidogyne and Heterodera species), utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system to dissect transcriptional reprogramming during infection. Key areas include nematode effector function, plant immune evasion tactics, spatial dynamics of feeding site formation, and microbiome-mediated nematode suppression. Recent work employs cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics to map infection-induced gene expression at cellular resolution.

His 2024-2025 publications reveal emerging trends in nematode genomics and plant defense, particularly how soil microbiota modulates nematode virulence and the evolutionary conservation of effector-targeted plant pathways. This integrates molecular plant-microbe interactions with agricultural applications for crop protection.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Ambassador of Agriculture and Environment (2020)

He currently supervises four PhD candidates across major collaborative projects. Advisees include J. Pacheco Díaz (nematode-virus synergism), S. de Graauw (belowground pathobiome dynamics), Y. Wang, and A. Pijnacker (spatial transcriptomics of nematode parasitism). Research is funded through projects like SMART UP and NEM-EMERGE, focusing on transcriptomic mapping and microbiome engineering for nematode resistance.

Based in the Laboratory of Nematology, his team operates at the forefront of nematode genomics, maintaining active collaborations across European research networks. The lab leverages genome sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and molecular genetics to translate basic discoveries into crop breeding solutions, with strong industry and policy engagement reflected in media coverage and conference keynotes.