We are an interdisciplinary group interested in the role of membrane proteins, especially ion channels, in cellular (mis-) communication leading to disease, especially cancer and nervous system disorders. While we generate fundamental knowledge on the functioning of ion channels, we also re-design them to perform novel tasks, such as acting as a remote-controlled valve in nanodevices, as a detector in sensors, or as a tool to interfere with bioelectrical signals. Our toolbox includes molecular biology, synthetic biology, biophysics, and various patch clamp electrophysiology tools.
Currently, we are working on:
- Mechanistic understanding of mutations in a voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv4.3) in Purkinje neurons, leading to spinocerebellar ataxia type 19/21. (Read more)
- Identifying differentially expressed ion channels and membrane proteins in neuroblastoma tumor cells and their tumor-derived extracellular vesicles.
- Elucidating a molecular switching mechanism in AMPA receptors in Purkinje neurons activated during motor learning . (Read more)
- Tumor-derived extracellular vesicle engineering for cancer diagnosis and nanotechnology applications.
- Deciphering the time-resolved cellular communication between neuroblastoma tumor cells with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells leading to therapy resistance.
- Bioelectrical signaling of cells at different (patho-)physiological conditions.
Latest news...
Invitation to join the matchmaking events - Molecules for Society: a VU – UT molecular (life) science challenge
The University of Twente (UT) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) are strengthening our alliance by introducing the call “Molecules for Society: a VU – UT molecular (life) science challenge”. UT Molecules Centre and VU Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS) have secured a grant to kickstart collaborations on molecular research and innovation for responsible and smart societies.
Who are we looking for:
We are looking for industrial partners and young scientists (PhD's, postdocs, assistant professors) to join us for 2 matchmaking events (21st of June at the University of Twente, and 28th of June at the VU Amsterdam). The matchmaking events are open to scientists affiliated to other universities and institutes outside of the VU and UT as well.
Aim of the project:
We aim to form 4 interdisciplinary teams that will work towards the development of consortia and grant proposals. The formed multidisciplinary teams will be offered a 3-day hackathon on location from the 9th till the 11th of October 2024 (mark your calendars!) where these teams will be trained on funding acquisition, consortium forming and project definition. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to prepare, in collaboration with external industrial partners, multiple competitive grant proposals.
Matchmaking - when and where:
1st matchmaking event at the University of Twente
● Date: Friday 21 June 2024
● Time: 11.45 - 17.30
● Location: Technohal 3130, Hallenweg 10, 7522 NH Enschede
2nd matchmaking event at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
● Date: Friday 28 June 2024
● Time: 11.45 - 17.30
● Location: O2 building, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam
Join us for this opportunity to explore the possibilities to collaborate on molecular research for responsible and smart societies. Save the date(s) and register (here) before the 10th of June 2024 for either one or preferably both matchmaking events. All participants are asked to prepare a 1-min pitch about their research to present to the attendees. More details will follow upon registration for the event(s).
If you have any questions, please contact the organizers at: m.j.hoogstraaten@vu.nl or e.dejong@utwente.nl
Feel free to forward this invitation to anyone who might be interested to join this initiative!
HUGO MARKUS WINS 4TU.HEALTH PHD COMPETITION
Warm congratulations to Hugo for being one of the three winners of 4TU.Health PhD competition!
The competition aims to challenge PhD students from the health and tech domain to present their research to others from four technical universities in The Netherlands. It is an exciting and engaging platform for young researchers to explore new topics and generate collaborations. You can see all 44 posters here. We wish Hugo lots of success in his research. Team BioEE, 23 March 2023
MASTER PROJECTS (min 6 months)
BioEE group is looking for master students with a biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering background for the following projects:
- Elucidating the bioelectric signaling of tumor cells
- Extracellular vesicle engineering and its applications
- Functional studies on cancer cell ion channels
- Elucidating the molecular switching mechanism of cAMP-induced activation of cerebellar Purkinje neuron AMPA receptors (wet-lab (UT) or molecular dynamics simulations - UT in collaboration with VU-)
If you are an enthusiastic person interested in experimental research at the crossroads of basic science and engineering and looking for a challenge, please get in touch with us for the details of the projects.
STUDENT PROJECTS (min 5 Months)
If you are an ambitious, curious, and hard-working Saxion or master's student who would like to join us to contribute to cancer research, we are looking for you. We have multiple research and innovation projects to offer. If you are interested in knowing more, please get in touch with Prof. Kocer.