Specialization
Neuroscience and Immunology; Multiple Sclerosis, Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Resolution of inflammation; lipidomics; SPMs
Focus of research
Inflammation is a host-protective response and efficient resolution of inflammation (orchestrated by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators, SPMs) is essential to clear the threat and restore tissues into their original/functional state. However, an inadequate resolution response propagates chronic inflammation, which is a unifying component in many chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). My main research focus is to elucidate whether and how altered inflammation-resolving mechanisms underlie MS to provide new perspectives on its pathogenesis and define novel and safe treatment opportunities. During my postdoctoral training at Harvard in Boston, on personal grants from IBRO, Nauta foundation and the Dutch MS research foundation, I discovered a unique lipid mediator signature in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma associated with the clinical course of MS and provided first evidence for an impaired resolution of inflammation process in MS as reflected by the absence of protective lipid mediators at specific disease stages. Importantly, re-instating a proper resolution response significantly prevented neuro-inflammation and neuro-degeneration in animal models for MS. Together, these exciting findings form the basis of my current research line to reveal whether failed resolution mechanisms are at the root of MS pathogenesis and unravel underlying regulatory mechanisms to ultimately fully exploit this endogenous protection system and investigate its implementation for MS patient stratification (diagnosis, treatment efficacy) and therapy. These projects are funded by a personal Vidi (NWO) and Fellowship (Dutsch MS society) grants.Please add research interests.