Prof. J. Schalkwijk (Joost)

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Professor Joost Schalkwijk is a biologist and studies chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin, genetic skin disorders and tissue engineering. He is most interested in researching the way in which the skin succeeds in forming an effective barrier against various kinds of harmful external stimuli. His ambition is to carry out leading fundamental research that is relevant to the understanding and treatment of human skin disorders.

Research carried out in recent years has led to the identification of a gene responsible for two forms of a hereditary connective tissue disease. Professor Schalkwijk's laboratory uses techniques that allow all the genes expressed in skin tissue to be analyzed. This approach has resulted in the discovery of new genes involved in inflammatory processes and in the formation of the protective epidermis layer.