Department

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

The Laboratory for Gastroenterology & Hepatology aims to make important contributions to better understanding and care in all major areas of the discipline. Located within the Erasmus MC, part of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, and embedded in a network of international cooperation that encompasses a plethora of excellent institutions on all continents, the laboratory is well placed to do so. A lean but professional administrative and research support staff (with personnel dedicated to logistical support for clinical studies and professional bio-banking, chemical acquisition and preparation, histological support, poly-colour FACS operators, laboratory and analytical equipment maintenance and superb grant application support), viral laboratories etc, its intellectually stimulating environment, its more than excellent link to the clinical departments of Gastroenterology (head Prof.dr. Marco Bruno) and Surgery (head Prof.dr. Joke Hendriks) all ingredients are in place for researchers in translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology to excel.

About our department

Our research

Translational medicine
The research applies insights gained for designing improved diagnosis and therapy, especially with respect to IBD, GE cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus.

Gastrointestinal tumor immunology
We aim to identify therapeutic targets to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and to develop strategies to stimulate systemic immunity to gastroenterological cancers. As a follow-up of the former research focus of the research group, we are still involved in studies aiming to find biomarkers that can identify liver transplant patients who are immunologically tolerant to their graft and can be safely withdrawn from immunosuppressive therapy.

Hepatitis E virus and liver cancer research
By understanding virus-host interactions, we aim to develop effective antiviral therapies and to better understand how hepatitis viruses cause liver cancer. Studies on biomarkers and immune mechanisms involved in infections with hepatitis viruses and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chronic viral hepatitis and liver cancer
Studies on biomarkers and immune mechanisms involved in infections with hepatitis viruses and hepatocellular carcinoma

Host-bacterial interactions in gastrointestinal diseases
We investigate to what extent microbial changes are present in diverse intestinal diseases, how these changes modulate intracellular signaling in intestinal epithelial cells and how modulation of microbes can affect disease activity

Antigen-based Immunotherapy
Research in the group is focused on exploiting antigen presentation for immunotherapy to cure gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases.

Novel therapies for cystic fibrosis, diarrheal diseases and metabolic syndrome
In our lab we aim to develop drug-based therapies against disorders of intestinal electrolyte and nutrient transport, using transgenic mice and human intestinal epithelial organoids (“mini-organs”) as models.

Molucular mechanisms contributing to intestinal tumor formation and metastasis

Experimental transplantation and intestinal surgery
The research focus on tissue injury, infection and regeneration of liver and kidney grafts during organ transplantation.