Engineering the (vascularized) Proximal Tubule, a Guide Towards Functionality
Anne Metje van Genderen
What was your PhD about?
In my PhD I tried to build a vascularized proximal tubule (one of the major segments of the nephrons in the kidneys) to study uremic toxin removal. For this I used various biofabrication techniques (like melt-electrowriting and co-axial printing), but also various cell types (both cell lines and iPSC). While the different models that we build can hopefully be used for disease modelling and drug testing, in the future we would also like to work towards implantable tubules that could replace (part of the) kidney function.
What is your fondest memory of your time at RMU?
I was (am still) located in the David de Wiedgebouw and most people working at RMU are located at the RMCU. However, this distance never limited the collaborations. I like the collaborative mindset in Utrecht and many of my thesis chapters have been published in close collaboration with many RMU researchers. I really enjoyed (and still enjoy) all the collaborations that are ongoing at the Utrecht Science Park.
What are you going to do next?
Last year I have already started my postdoc within the VHP4Safety consortium under supervision of Prof. Roos Masereeuw and Prof. Marianne Verhaar. I will continue to work towards the understanding of kidney diseases using models that we have set-up during my PhD, but also using new models (mainly iPSC and tubuloids). At the same time I will focus on writing grants to continue the work that I did during my PhD.