Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Marijn Kuijpers. I studied Biology and after completing the Master's programme in Neuroscience and Cognition, I obtained my PhD in Utrecht. Subsequently, I worked as a postdoc in Berlin for eight years. My interest lies in the field of molecular neuroscience. During my PhD and postdoc, I learned a great deal and studied various cellular processes, from protein transport and degradation to synaptic communication and molecular mechanisms of brain diseases. In 2022, I established my own laboratory in Nijmegen.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
The continuous development of techniques, such as microscopy, makes it possible to study the interior of cells, like nerve cells (neurons), with increasing precision. We can observe how specific proteins are produced, move within a cell and are broken down, and how these processes ensure that a nerve cell functions properly (or not!). I find it fascinating to watch these processes 'live' under a microscope. As a student, I loved that feeling of 'I'm the first person to see this'.
What is your current research focus?
I investigate how nerve cells stay healthy and communicate effectively with each other, focusing on processes that can go wrong in diseases such as Parkinson's. I particularly look at how proteins in nerve cells are broken down and recycled, a process that is crucial for neural connections to work smoothly. Additionally, I study a special part of the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which plays an important role in protein production and transport. We try to understand how this system contributes to communication between nerve cells and what happens when this process is disrupted. The aim of my research is to gain more insight into how neurodegenerative diseases develop, so that we might be able to develop better treatments in the future.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Studying isn't just about acquiring knowledge, but also about growing as a person. You learn to handle freedom and responsibility. Don't be afraid to make choices. It's perfectly fine to change direction if you discover something that suits you better along the way.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I enjoy most about working with students is involving them in my research, both in my lectures and in practice. I like showing them how scientists work and actively involving them in the actual process. What I hope for and find wonderful is that they become passionate about research and develop the curiosity to ask questions and make discoveries themselves.