2016-01-30

I will be giving a seminar at RBG Kew 1st February and to talk about fungus-growing ants. For details please email kewscience(at)kew.org

2016-01-06

I have been awarded a large BES grant to investigate possible roles of a virus infecting the fungus-growing ant fungal symbionts!

2015-10-09

I wrote a blog about the mycological research we do at RBG Kew. Read it here!

2015-09-11

New Scientist featured the paper on polyploidy in domesticated fungi in Journal of Evolutionary Biology: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn28158-crops-farmed-by-leafcutter-ants-show-signs-of-domestication/

2015-09-03

My paper on somatic incompatibility and possible speciation in leaf-cutting ant fungi is now online: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1754504815000963

2015-09-02

My paper on polyploidy in domesticated fungi is now online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jeb.12718/abstract

2015-08-19

Two new papers accepted for publication (Journal of Evolutionary Biology and Fungal Ecology). I will post links to full versions as soon as they are online.

2015-05-18

Today is the first official day at my new position at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Still trying to settle in, but soon I will be growing Leucoagaricus at full speed!

2015-05-05

It’s official, today I signed a 3-year contract at the department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology (lead by Dr. Paula Rudall) Jodrell Laboratory, Kew Gardens, to work in the Comparative Fungal Biology section lead by Dr. Bryn Dentinger. I will continue my research on the fungal symbiont of fungus-growing ants, and will focus on the role and mechanisms of the asexuality of the fungus is this wonderful mutualism.

2014-12-13

It’s been a while since last update. I’ve been working on some new projects in collaboration with Jon Shik. This Monday (the 15th) I will present some of our new results at the Northwest European section IUSSI winter meeting.

2014-08-04

Back in Copenhagen, had a great conference in Australia.

2014-07-10

Soon off to Cairns, Australia, for the IUSSI2014 world conference. I will present data on ploidy levels in the fungal symbionts on Monday 14 July, at 16.45, at the “Social insect host-microbe interactions”.

2014-05-05

Two of my pictures got featured in a little story and interview with Rachelle Adams about leaf-cutting and other farming ants. Link here

2014-05-01

In Gamboa, Panama, for 2 weeks of fieldwork

2014-04-09

Paper entitled “Differences in forage-acquisition and fungal enzyme activity contribute to niche segregation in Panamanian leaf-cutting ants” now online at PLoS ONE

2014-04-08

Successfully defended my PhD-thesis. PDF available at publications

2014-03-23

Field work in Panama is planned from May 1 to 17

2014-03-13

Paper entitled “Differences in forage-acquisition and fungal enzyme activity contribute to niche segregation in Panamanian leaf-cutting ants” accepted for publication at PLoS ONE

2014-03-12

Date, time and location for PhD defense are set. For information please visit: http://www1.bio.ku.dk/Kalender/pepijn-kooij/

2014-03-07

Abstract accepted for oral presentation at the IUSSI2014 world conference in Cairns, Australia

2014-01-30

Website launched!

2014-01-10

Now online at the ISME Journal: Leucoagaricus gongylophorus uses leaf-cutting ants to vector proteolytic enzymes towards new plant substrate.

2013-12-31

PhD-thesis submitted

2013-11-27

Paper Acromyrmex echinatior fecal fluid proteases accepted for publication in the ISME Journal

2012-11-15

Awarded best oral presentation at the 1st annual PhD-Day of the Department of Biology, Copenhagen University