20002023

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Personal profile

Research interests

Innate and adaptive immune responses in vector-borne diseases and Lyme borreliosis in particular.

Ticks require a bloodmeal to reproduce, during which they not only transmit Borrelia burgdorferi - the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis -, but also introduce physiologically active proteins into the host skin. These proteins inhibit blood coagulation and suppress local host immune responses, which facilitates both tick feeding as well as B. burgdorferi infection. Identification of the molecular mechanisms involved in immunosuppression induced by tick salivary proteins contributes to the understanding of the pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis and could lead to the development of novel anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agents. In addition, interfering with tick-host-pathogen interactions, for example by an anti-tick vaccin based on specific tick (salivary) proteins, could prevent transmission of B. burgdorferi from the tick to the host.


 

specialisation

Internal Medicine - Infectious Diseases

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, Tick-host-pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis, Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity (AMC)

Award Date: 13 Mar 2009

External positions

Member of the board of the Dutch Lyme borreliosis center

31 Oct 2001 → …

Program leader Infectious Diseases of the Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute

31 Jan 2001 → …

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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