The Acari are an understudied group of species. However, many mite and tick species have considerable global impact on human and animal health and agriculture, whereas others are being used as biocontrol agents.

Over the years, mites have been model organisms in our fundamental and applied research on the population biology (see personal web page Isabel Smallegange and Arne Janssen) and evolutionary genetics (see personal web pages Martijn Egas and Thomas van Leeuwen), with the aim to understand how we can reduce the negative impacts of harmful mites and ticks, and develop sustainable biocontrol (see personal web page Arne Janssen) and crop protection programs (see personal web page Merijn Kant).

Involved staff members