dr. U.V. Lagemaat
dr. U.V. Lagemaat
- Department of Medical Microbiology
Research Programs
Biography
Biography
The goal of the research of Suzan Rooijakkers is to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial killing by the human immune system. In particular, she investigates the molecular functioning of the complement system, a large protein network in plasma that plays an essential role in the immune response against all invading bacteria. Complement rapidly labels bacteria for phagocytosis by immune cells and directly kills Gram-negative bacteria via pore formation (Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)). Although the MAC is an evolutionary conserved mechanism to kill bacterial cells, we currently do not understand how complement activation results in bacterial killing. In 2015, she obtained the prestigious ERC Starting grant that is aimed at providing insight into these bacterial killing mechanisms. She has recently established novel methods to study complement activation in highly purified model systems allowing us to provide insight into MAC-dependent killing of bacteria.
Other projects in the lab involve unravelling processes underlying complement-mediated phagocytosis. Complement is essential in immune eradication of Gram-positive bacteria. She aims to elucidate the molecular details of complement opsonin-receptor interactions . The work will pave the way for several therapeutic applications, including targeted complement-dependent bacterial killing and antibody therapy of clinically important bacteria. Furthermore, her studies will create new avenues for blocking the undesired complement activation during systemic bacterial infections and sepsis.
Side Activities
1. 2021 (once) External grant reviewer Wallenberg foundation, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. No compensation.
2. 2019-now Board member Executive Board Netherlands Antibiotic Development Platform (NADP). Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
3. 2018-NOW TTW-NACTAR Programme committee (no compensation)
4. Organizer of the 2nd and 3rd international conference on antibodies and complement. May 2019 and June 2023. Girona, Spain. (no compensation)
5. Committee member of NWO-ZonMw Veni program (2019, once). Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
6. Panel member of the excecutive committe of the 'Complement UK research network', a collaborative organization that joints over 40 PIs (representing 29 UK Centers). My role as a panel member was to recruit PhD students for open positions (May 2016) Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
Fellowship and Awards
Research Grants
2020 €2.000.000,- personal ERC Consolidator grant from European Research Council
2019 co-applicant on a European Joint Doctorate grant
2019 €250.000,- NCOH-AMR Complex Systems grant
2018 €300.000,- NWO-TTW Industrial Doctorate grant
2018 €800.000,- NWO-TTW NACTAR
2018 €200.000,- NWO-Aspasia grant
2018 Hub for Molecular Immunology, UU
2015 €1.500.000,- personal ERC Starting grant from European Research Council.
2013 Co-applicant on a €800.000,- Eurostars grant together with Pepscan Therapeutics and Bicycle Therapeutics (#E7679, BAIT, Bicycle Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics).
2011 €100.000,- Aspasia-grant from NWO.
2010 €800.000,- personal VIDI-grant for Innovational Research Incentives from NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) (#917-11-379).
2008 European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) long term fellowship (#ALTF 382-2008).
2007 €200.000,- personal VENI-grant for Innovational Research Incentives from NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) (#916-76-037).
Contract research
2018-2021 €500.000,- Genmab-sponsored research grant (no personal payment)
2015-2017 €300.000,- Genmab-sponsored research grant (no personal payment)
Research Output (65)
Boero Elena, Rooijakkers SHM 13 Feb 2022, 161 p.
de Vor Lisanne, van Dijk Bruce, van Kessel Kok, Kavanaugh Jeffrey S., de Haas Carla, Aerts Piet C., Viveen Marco C., Boel Edwin C., Fluit Ad C., Kwiecinski Jakub M., Krijger Gerard C., Ramakers Ruud M., Beekman Freek J., Dadachova Ekaterina, Lam Marnix G. E. H., Vogely H. Charles, van der Wal Bart C. H., van Strijp Jos A. G., Horswill Alexander R., Weinans Harrie, Rooijakkers Suzan H. M. 6 Jan 2022, In: eLife. 11 , p. 1-25
Doorduijn Dennis J., Heesterbeek Dani A.C., Ruyken Maartje, De Haas Carla J.C., Stapels Daphne A.C., Aerts Piet C., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Bardoel Bart W. Nov 2021, In: PLoS Pathogens. 17
Kretschmer Dorothee, Breitmeyer Ricarda, Gekeler Cordula, Lebtig Marco, Schlatterer Katja, Nega Mulugeta, Stahl Mark, Stapels Daphne, Rooijakkers Suzan, Peschel Andreas 6 Sep 2021, In: Frontiers in Immunology. 12
Zwarthoff Seline A., Widmer Kevin, Kuipers Annemarie, Strasser Jürgen, Ruyken Maartje, Aerts Piet C., de Haas Carla J.C., Ugurlar Deniz, den Boer Maurits A., Vidarsson Gestur, van Strijp Jos A.G., Gros Piet, Parren Paul W.H.I., van Kessel Kok P.M., Preiner Johannes, Beurskens Frank J., Schuurman Janine, Ricklin Daniel, Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 29 Jun 2021, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118 , p. 1-12
Janssen Axel B., Doorduijn Dennis J., Mills Grant, Rogers Malbert R.C., Bonten Marc J.M., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Willems Rob J.L., Bengoechea Jose A., Van Schaik Willem 17 Jun 2021, In: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 65
Boero Elena, Brinkman Iris, Juliet Thessely, van Yperen Eline, van Strijp Jos A.G., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., van Kessel Kok P.M. 19 Feb 2021, In: Frontiers in Immunology. 12 , p. 1-15
Cruz Ana Rita, den Boer Maurits A., Strasser Jürgen, Zwarthoff Seline A., Beurskens Frank J., de Haas Carla J.C., Aerts Piet C., Wang Guanbo, de Jong Rob N., Bagnoli Fabio, van Strijp Jos A.G., van Kessel Kok P.M., Schuurman Janine, Preiner Johannes, Heck Albert J.R., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 16 Feb 2021, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118 , p. 1-11
Heesterbeek Dani A.C., Muts Remy M., van Hensbergen Vincent P., de Saint Aulaire Pieter, Wennekes Tom, Bardoel Bart W., van Sorge Nina M., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 22 Jan 2021, In: PLoS Pathogens. 17
Zwarthoff Seline A., Magnoni Simone, Aerts Piet C., van Kessel Kok P.M., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 2021, p. 21-32 12 p.