Department of Radiotherapy
Technical Support Staff
Closed position
Associate Scientist
Kim Savelkouls
(Group Rouschop/Kampen)
Jolanda Piepers
(Group Vooijs)
Reitske Borman
(Group Vooijs)
Tessa Welbers
(Group De Ruysscher)
Group Marc Vooijs
Ahmed Chughtai
Radiation Oncologist
Visiting PostDoc
This research investigates the intricate relationship between glioblastoma, radiation-induced senescence, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and therapy resistance. By unraveling the mechanisms underlying therapy resistance in glioblastoma, specifically related to radiation-induced senescence and the SASP, we aim to identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Understanding these interconnected factors holds promise for enhancing treatment outcomes and improving the prognosis for patients battling glioblastoma.
Maikel Verduin
MD, PhD-student
Linde Hoosemans
MD, PhD-student
For my PhD we use patient-derived GBM organoids to investigate resistance mechanisms against small molecule inhibitors and the difference in photon and proton irradiation.
Somaieh Ahmadian
PostDoc
Anaís Sánchez Castillo
PhD-student
Rui Zhang
PhD-student
My reasearch is focused on NOTCH signaling. We found that DMT1, an iron transporter, can modulate notch signaling and KO DMT1 makes lysosome become leaky. I focus on the study of how DMT1 influences the notch pathway and why lysosome becomes leaky. In addition, there are different DMT1 isoforms, which might play different roles in the regulation of notch. These findings might deepen our understanding of notch modulation and help us find some potential treatment strategies towards cancer.
To study potential treatments for vestibular schwannoma (VS), a patient-derived in vitro model which recapitulates the original tumour characteristics is preferred. Currently, 2D cell cultures of VS cells are typically used in VS preclinical models. My PhD project is focused on the development and optimalization of a 3D patient-derived in vitro VS model.
Josselien Meijvogel
MD, PhD-student
Mike van Heumen
MD, PhD-student
In my project we aim to identify new resistance mechanisms for the widely used chemotherapy, Temozolomide in glioblastoma patients. We are specifically interested in the spatial en longitudinal heterogeneity of the DNA-repair protein MGMT and its relation to the tumour micro-environment. The ultimate goal of my project is to find new therapeutic targets to combat treatment resistance and extend the lives of glioblastoma patients.
Group Kasper Rouschop
Tom Keulers
Senior Scientist
Jinzhe Ju
PhD-student
My project focuses on extracellular vesicle biogenesis. We aim to uncover the mechanism and key factors involved in this process under hypoxic conditions. To navigate through the uncertainties, we employ various molecular cell biology techniques, as well as high-resolution microscopy for image processing and analysis of fixed or live cells.
Joël Beaumont
PhD-student
In my project, we investigate how cancer cell derived extracellular vesicles (EV) contribute to tumour progression. EV are small membrane particles which contain a variety of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids which are secreted for inter-cellular communication. We demonstrate their involvement in various hallmarks of cancer, including the induction of angiogenesis, metabolic reprograming and the development of metastases. Understanding the role of EV in these processes could uncover new therapeutic targets to suppress tumour progression.
Lydie Barbeau
PhD-student
Most solid human tumors contain regions that are poorly oxygenated. Tumor hypoxia is a very heterogeneous and dynamic feature and is associated with a more aggressive phenotype due to increased resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Essential for the survival of hypoxic cells, is the activation of autophagy. We study the relevance of clinically available drugs to elevate autophagy-dependence of hypoxic tumor cells, to then increase therapeutic benefit in glioblastoma.
Group Kim Kampen
Judith Hounjet
PostDoc
Anaís Sánchez Castillo
PhD-student
Group Dirk de Ruysscher
Rianne Vaes
PostDoc
Shaowen Lyu
MD, PhD-student
I mainly focus on the irradiation-induced immune response in non-small cell lung cancer, including how the dendritic cells behave in lung tumor environment during treatment, differences of immune responses induced by photon and proton irradiation on lung cancer cells and a novel patient-derived ex vivo prediction culture model to predict treatment responses of clinical patients.
Students year 2023-2024
Lourdes Matas Sancho
(Group Vooijs)
Mart Smidt
(Group Vooijs)
Erik Meyer
(Group Rouschop)
Diego Fadrique Valle
(Group Rouschop)