Departments
Hubrecht Institute
How does a fertilized egg develop into a whole organism? That is the central question of developmental biology: one of the most exciting parts of modern biological research with stem cell research as a prominent component.
To answer this question, the Hubrecht Institute uses molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and, more recently, genomics and bioinformatics. This research is done using healthy and diseased cells, tissues and model organisms such as mice, zebrafish and nematode worms. The Hubrecht Institute is the Dutch center for developmental biology research in these model systems. The research is fundamental and multidisciplinary in nature, but there are clear cross-links to biomedical research.
Would you like to contact Hubrecht Institute? Then send an email to j.denhertog@hubrecht.eu or click the button below!
Department genetics UMC Utrecht
The department of genetics at UMC Utrecht investigates whether a congenital defect is hereditary. The areas of interest are cardiogenetics, pulmonary fibrosis, oncogenetics, neurogenetics and hereditary predisposition & development. The entire spectrum of tests from microscopy, SNP array to base sequencing (Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing) is available to efficiently detect abnormalities in the genome. The genomic diagnostics section works closely with clinical genetics.
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Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS)
The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) is an interfaculty research institute of the faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medical Sciences of Utrecht University. IRAS provides education and research on human health risks from exposure to pathogens and potentially harmful substances in the (occupational) environment and through the food chain. Effects on ecosystems are also studied. IRAS collaborates within the EU with a large number of research groups and institutes in joint research projects. In addition, IRAS is a ‘World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research on Environmental Health Risk Assessment’. In addition, IRAS is a ‘World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research on Environmental Health Risk Assessment’.
Would you like to contact IRAS? Please send an email to m.lumens@uu.nl
Pathology UMC Utrecht
Pathology is interested in the molecular mechanisms by which cytotoxic lymphocytes attack tumor cells and virus-infected cells and how these target cells are able to escape from these effector cells. CTLs and NK cells constitutes the main pathway for eliminating tumor cells and virus-infected cells from our body. In humans, cytotoxic granules contain granzymes that induce cell death by cleaving specific intracellular substrates. However, little is known about the cell death mechanism of GrH, GrK, and GrM. In our lab, we are currently investigating these cell death pathways.
Granzymes activate multiple distinct pathways of cell death with distinct morphological hallmarks that cooperate during cytotoxic lymphocyte cytotoxicity. This redundancy likely evolved to provide protection against tumor cells with diverse strategies to evade immune surveillance. Some tumors can escape from GrB-mediated apoptosis by cytoplasmic expression of the GrB-inhibitor serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN)B9. Unlike GrB, however, inhibitors against the other human granzymes remain unknown. This issue currently is another focus in our lab. We have recently demonstrated that GrM blocks cytomegalovirus replication in the absence of host cell apoptosis. Apparently, GrM uses noncytotoxic mechanisms to inhibit cytomegalovirusreplication, which is compatible with the notion that viruses encode inhibitors of apoptosis. Currently, we are investigating how granzymes block virus replication independent of apoptosis.
Would you like to contact Pathology UMC Utrecht? Then send an email to n.bovenschen@umcutrecht.nl
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology UMC Utrecht
The Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology at UMC Utrecht specializes in research in the field of rheumatoid arthritis, artrosis and systemic autoimmune diseases. The department’s excellent research results have led to its recognition as a “Center of Excellence in Rheumatology 2011-2016” by the European Rheumatology Association EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism).
By participating in scientific research, we learn more and more about the different disease states and it becomes possible to treat them better in the future. This can prevent personal, social and economic pain and long-term costs. This is reflected, for example, in less labor loss, but also in a sharp decrease in the number of joint-replacement surgeries. Research in recent years has halved the number of surgeries in a short period of time.
Would you like to contact Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology? Then send an email to s.mastbergen@umcutrecht.nl
