Professor Ben Lugtenberg received ‘The Arima Award for Applied Microbiology’
Emeritus Professor Ben Lugtenberg received ‘The Arima Award for Applied Microbiology’ from the IUMS (International Union of Microbial Societies) for his life-time contributions to this field.
The ‘Arima Award for Applied Microbiology’ was established from a generous endowment provided by Mrs. K. Arima in commemoration of her husband, Professor K. Arima, who was the President of the IUMS between 1986 and 1988. The Award consists of a citation, a cash award of US $ 1000 and coverage of expenses for the recipient to attend the upcoming IUMS International Congress for two days.
Lugtenberg’s contributions
Ben Lugtenberg did his MSc in 1965 in Chemistry at Utrecht University, and did pioneering work on peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Escherichia coli during his PhD, which he obtained in 1971. Later he became project leader of the membrane structure and biogenesis group, where he focused on the architecture of the outer membrane of E. coli. This work contributed to insights relevant for antibiotic sensitivity and vaccination. After a long period in Utrecht, he moved to Leiden University to become professor in Microbiology. Here, his group was extraordinary productive and the work resulted in major breakthroughs on plant growth promotion and biocontrol of plant diseases.
Recognition of hard work
Lugtenberg was nominated for the Arima award for his contributions to applied bacteriology and the broader field of agricultural sciences, in particular for his ground-breaking contributions in the context of bio-control. The Arima Award was established to honour exactly this kind of investigator who’s legacy concerns decades of high-quality research and proven leadership.
Ben Lugtenberg is very thankful and privileged to be awarded: “It is a nice recognition of all the hard work.”
Links
- Personal page Ben Lugtenberg
- About The Arima Award