Specialization
Alzheimer, neurological diseases, biomarkers and proteomics in plasma, CSF, cellular models and tissue, familial Alzheimer, astrocytes, microglia, clinical trials, statistical modeling.
I am principal investigator of the DemenTree biobank, a family resource for studying the genetic and biological mechanisms that lead to dementia and I am the site-principal investigator in the Netherland of the world-wide DIAN (Dominantly inherited Alzheimer Disease network) Observational cohort study, a study to understand the natural history of familial Alzheimer disease. Further I am co-chair of the CORAL community for collaboration and meta-analysis of proteomics studies in the context of biomarker development for brain diseases and aging.
Focus of research
My aim is to improve treatments to prevent dementia due to Alzheimer disease. My team works on understanding how Alzheimer evolves and the development of plasma and CSF biomarkers that can track the disease from the earliest stages and in cellular models.
Broadly the research activities are operationalized in 3 related research lines:
A) mapping the phenotypic effects of Alzheimer genetic mutations (PSEN1/APP) and risk variants (e.g., TREM2) to understand how disease evolves
B) developing staging and tracking biomarkers for clinical trials and through innovative statistical, proteomics and translational research methods, in particular to capture the neuroinflammation (astrocyte/microglia) response in Alzheimer.
C) innovative laboratory expertise for biomarker and proteomics screen in cellular models and tissue and translation to plasma and CSF analyses.