Research

The aim of my research

Understanding control and regulation of metabolism to reveal selective drug targets in pathogens and other disease-causing cells.

Current research topics

• Control and regulation in parasite metabolism (Trypanosoma brucei, Schistosoma mansoni)
• Metabolism of cancer cells (liver cancer, head- and neck cancer)
• Systematic design of cell culture media.

Some highlights of my research:

• In-depth analysis of glucose and amino acid metabolism in liver cancer cells (Nilsson, Haanstra et al., 2020)
• Experimental proof for the model hypothesis that compartmentation of glycolysis in Trypanosoma brucei is essential to prevent a metabolic catastrophe (Haanstra et al., 2008).
• Proof-of-principle that eukaryotic metabolism can be targeted with limited side-effects to host cells (Haanstra et al., 2017)
• Understanding control and regulation in gene expression of the eukaryote Trypanosoma brucei – ranging from a three-gene locus (Haanstra et al, 2008) to genome-wide (Antwi et al., 2016)

My experience spans a broad range in (systems) biology – from wetlab experimentation to computational modelling. Depending on the needs in the project I contributed experimental data (e.g. Nilsson, Haanstra et al., 2020, Bosdriesz et al., 2018), computational models and/or simulations (e.g. Leroux, Haanstra et al., 2013),  or both (e.g. Haanstra et al., 2017, Haanstra et al., 2008)

Teaching

• Examiner and lecturer of the master course ‘From Genome to Function’ for students of the master Biomolecular Sciences
• Lecturer in the master course ‘Parasitology’ in which I teach the subject ‘Metabolism of Parasites’
• Internship supervisor bachelor and master internships 5-10 students each year

Management

• Program Director master Biomolecular Sciences. This master trains students to become independent researchers.
• Director Graduate School A-life

No ancillary activities

Ancillary activities are updated daily