Testimonials
Stem cell research allows us to gain more insight into our life and apply these insights to diseases or staying healthy when growing old.
- Programme
- Human Biology
One of Hendrik Marks’ research topics is testing the effect of certain medicines in mini organs in early embryonic developments. “Pregnancy for example. With this research, we will know more about which medicines are safe to take as a pregnant person and which are not.”
Herman the Bull
As a pupil at grammar school, Hendrik Marks developed a passion for biology. “At the time, Herman the bull was often in the Dutch news. A genetically manipulated bull, they called him. They built the human gene lactoferrin in his DNA. Back then, I didn’t understand what that meant, but I did read what they want to achieve with it: stimulating babies’ immune system with this lactoferrin in milk. I thought it was fascinating.”
Viruses in shrimp
It made Hendrik Marks study Biotechnology in Wageningen after secondary school. “After that, I obtained by PhD in Virology in Wageningen, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.” Hendrik’s PhD research in Wageningen was on viruses in shrimp in commercial farms in Vietnam. “I learnt to further unravel molecular biology and to defeat viruses. It’s going in deep, the fundamental research, that interests me. It’s like solving a puzzle every time. And if you succeed, it’s really amazing.”
Embryonic stem cells
After that, Hendrik Marks ended up at Radboud University. “I study embryonic stem cells to fix existing tissue of a human when it gets damaged or ill, for example after a heart attack, with stem cells from a different part of the body to fix the heart. I also work on the development of embryonic model systems to understand the growth of a fertilised egg into an entire organism.
Discussions
Hendrik realises that it also leads to more and more in-depth, often ethical, discussions about the origin of life. “That’s important. At the time of Herman the bull, the public opinion wasn’t all that positive. However, if you are able to explain why you are doing something – like the research on mini organs I do right now to improve pregnancies – you can really contribute to the knowledge development and improve life.”
Talent
Besides research, Hendriks Marks also teaches at Radboud University and he supervises students that are doing research. “Last year, I supervised a student writing a research proposal. He did this so well, that the Dutch Research Council awarded him grants. This means that we can continue our research. It’s really nice to see talents develop in this way.”
Master’s in Medical Biology
Hendrik Marks is also programme coordinator of the Master’s in Medical Biology at Radboud University. “Every year, around 150 new students enrol.” Hendrik Marks likes that he occurs in the biology books at secondary schools. “They mentioned me with the folding of the X-chromosome in the book Biology for You”. All in all, I think this subject is fascinating. I hope that more people will discover it as well.”
Professors are always ready to help and answer all of the questions, actually they encourage us to ask questions and not to be shy.
- Previous education
- Bachelor's Biomedical Science at HAN University of Applies Sciences
- Programme
- Human Biology
- Country of previous education
- Ukraine
What do you like about the specialisation and why?
I really like my programme because it gives freedom to choose classes that really interest me so I have a choice between courses that are more relevant for my future career. I also think that professors do a great job trying to engage with students and draw the attention with great examples from real life research that gives an idea of what it is like in a real laboratory. The courses can be challenging at times because they require not only memorisation of the theory but also how this theory can be used in the lab and how it can be applied in the research. This really gives a feeling that what we are learning is a very useful tool that we can use in our future careers.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
Professors are always ready to help and answer all the questions, actually they encourage us to ask questions and not to be shy. The class consists of people from different countries but of course the majority is Dutch students. This really taught me a lot about how it is important to work in this international atmosphere because at times it can be difficult to adjust to everyone's work habits especially when it comes to the group work. Nevertheless, working with people not from my country really taught me a lot and gave me a valuable experience in communication and group organisation.
What do you find most challenging in your Master’s specialisation?
I found some courses rather hard as it really required be to get a full understanding of the topic and not only the theory memorisation. Sometimes I struggle with implementing theory in practice, therefore, in courses where you have to implement theory in experimental design I struggled the most.
Are you currently doing an internship?
Currently I am doing my first Master's internship on the project concerning Paediatric Nephrology. I really find myself enjoying doing research and this really inspires me to continue do research after my graduation.
What are your plans once have received your Master's degree?
I think this degree gives freedom to learn whatever you are interested in so you can really tailor the programme according to your interest, so as a young professional you come out with knowledge on various topics in the biomedical field. After graduation I see myself possibly doing a PhD in the field of paediatric oncology, which really inspires me to work hard now and gain all the useful knowledge that I can later on implement in my own research.
This field gives you the possibility to get an insight into the molecular events that govern how our cells and bodies work.
- Programme
- Human Biology
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Peter Tessarz and since September 2023 I am a professor of Human Biology at the science faculty of Radboud University, arriving from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany. I have been teaching for over 10 years, mainly in the area of molecular biology and biochemistry. At Radboud I will be involved in the 1-st year Bachelor course Human Biology, but I might be seen in Cellular Biochemistry as well. In addition, I am the specialisation coordinator for the Human Biology track within the Master's program Medical Biology.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
I like this field as it gives you the possibility to get an insight into the molecular events that govern how our cells and bodies work and that it sits pretty much in the middle between the sciences and medicine.
What do you like best about being a lecturer?
The best part of the role as a lecturer is to see when students start grasping concepts and begin to connect dots between the various disciplines and scales in biology as well as to see how they grow and develop their passion for a specific field.
What are you currently doing your own research on?
My research deals with the question of how cellular metabolism is intertwined with epigenetics, i.e. how gene expression is regulated in a wider sense. We are particularly interested in understanding how this crosstalk is maintained or altered during ageing or age-related disease.
What advice do you have for students making their study choice?
Most importantly: Go with your interest and passion! At the same time, try and make an informed decision on your field of study, go to open days, talk to students enrolled in the programme and find out as much as possible about the structure and expectations.
I now feel that my practical and theoretical knowledge are in balance!
- Previous education
- Biologie en Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek (Hogeschool Saxion, Enschede)
- Programme
- Human Biology
- Study start date
- Study end date
What do you like about the programme/specialisation and why? How has the programme/specialisation challenged you (in relation to your previous education)?
I started with an HBO Bachelor's degree. There I had a lot of practice, but sometimes missed the theoretical depth. I wanted more depth and research really appealed to me. Fortunately, my Master's offers exactly what I missed at HBO. I now feel that my practical and theoretical knowledge are in balance!
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere within the programme is very good. You easily come into contact with lecturers and fellow students. Almost every course has working lectures in which you have to come up with a solution or answer in groups. Lecturers and researchers often show their current or recent findings during their lectures and are always open to questions. There are also many student associations you can join.
Are you currently doing an internship? Or what is your thesis about?
I am currently doing an internship at the Radboudumc in the department of gynaecology, working closely with genetics. I am doing research on cancer genomics. I am very well supported and challenged to be as self-taught as possible. There are also incentives to publish an article. My research matters!
Why do you think it is important that there are people with this degree? What are your plans once you have received your Master's degree?
People with this Master's are important because there is a lot of knowledge about the biological aspects of diseases. So what happens at the DNA/protein level and how does this translate at the clinical level? We can help doctors at the biological and molecular level and they can help us at the clinical level. This is how a super cool multidisciplinary collaboration forms.
I hope to do a PhD in cancer genomics after my Master's, because I have discovered through my internships that this is where my passion really lies.
We are researching the biology of aging in the lab.
- Nationality
- Japanese
- Programme
- Human Biology
That healthy eating helps, associate professor Aki Minoda is now well convinced of that. But what else plays a role in our body's aging processes? What effect do external factors like air pollution have, for example? The Japanese researcher is trying to answer that question with her colleagues. To do so, they look at the smallest living building blocks of our body: cells.
Published on Voxweb (29 April 2025)
