DCN seminar by Prof. J. Pasterkamp

About the speaker

Jeroen Pasterkamp obtained his PhD degree at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam with Joost Verhaagen and Dick Swaab. He carried out postdoctoral research at the Department of Neuroscience of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, USA. In 2005, he joined the Department of Translational Neuroscience of the UMC Utrecht, where he is currently appointed as a professor of translational neuroscience. He is chair of the UMC Utrecht Brain Center and head of the Department of Translational Neuroscience.

His research focuses on understanding (1) the signalling events and molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of neuronal connections during development, and (2) the molecular mechanisms underlying changes in or loss of neuronal connectivity during neurological disease, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This research concentrates on mouse models and humanized cell models (iPSC, organoids, microfluidics) using an integrated approach involving molecular biology, cell biology, neuroanatomy, (in vivo) functional proteomics, imaging, HC screening, and mouse genetics.

His work was published in leading journals such as Cell, Developmental Cell, Neuron, Nature, Nature Communications, and he regularly contributes reviews to Current Opinion, Trends and Nature Reviews journals.

Jeroen Pasterkamp is a recipient of a NARSAD Young Investigator, Dan Nathans Young Investigator Award, and HFSP Career Development Award. He received VENI, VIDI and VICI grants, and is co-leading the NWO Gravitation program BRAINSCAPES. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory board of the Prinses Beatrix Spierfonds and a board member of the Dutch Parkinson Scientists. He organizes scientific meetings under the framework of EMBO and Utrecht Summer School series.

Research line

This seminar is embedded in the research line on neural circuit development and translational neuroscience.