Neural circuit development and disease
Our aim is to understand how axonal pathways develop, why and how they are affected in neurodegenerative disease, and which therapeutic approaches can help to stall or reverse these pathogenic changes.
Our research focuses on the question how neuronal connections develop, with a particular emphasis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. We study processes such as dendrite development, axon guidance and neuronal migration. We believe that understanding how neural circuits form will help to understand why they change in diseases of the nervous system. Regarding our translational studies we focus on motor neuron disease (ALS) and to some extent other neurodegenerative disorders, which are characterized by marked changes in neuronal connectivity. RNA biology (e.g. non-coding RNAs), (single cell) omics, mouse genetics, humanized cell models (iPSC, organoids, microfluidics), molecular cell biology, and (light sheet) microscopy play a central role in many of our projects.
Contact for internships
Prof. dr. Jeroen Pasterkamp: R.J.Pasterkamp@umcutrecht.nl
People
Name | Position |
Jeroen Pasterkamp | Full professor |
| Vamshi Vangoor | Assistant professor |
| Pavol Zelina | Postdoctoral fellow |
| Eljo van Battum | Postdoctoral fellow |
| Domino Schlegel | Postdoctoral fellow |
| Suzy Varderidou | Postdoctoral fellow |
| Kristel Eigenhuis | Postdoctoral fellow |
| Sofie Peeters | PhD student |
| Kim Soesbergen | PhD student |
| Marta Canizares Luna | PhD student |
| Oxana Garritsen | PhD student |
| Mayte Mars | PhD student |
| Anna Wiersema | PhD student |
| Laura Wieg | PhD student |
| Denise van der Heijden | PhD student |
| Nik Heijmink | PhD student |
| Channa Jakobs | PhD student |
| Evgenia Kokosali | PhD student |
| Carola Kusserow | PhD student |
| Willem Naert | PhD student |
| Jonne Eggink | PhD student |
| Roos Verdegaal | PhD student |
| Youri Adolfs | Research technician/Microscopy facility manager |
| Marina de Wit | Research technician |
| Mark Broekhoven | Research technician |
| Lauri Bloemenkamp | Research technician/iPSC facility manager |
| Sofia Siti | Research technician |
| Serife Uysal | Research technician |
| Lars Gal | Research technician |