About Y. (Ype) Elgersma, Professor
Introduction
My research centers on uncovering the molecular and cellular pathophysiological mechanisms that underly neurodevelopmental disorders, with the goal of translating these insights into effective therapeutic strategies
Field(s) of expertise
To get more insight in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, we typically make use of iPSC cells and genetically engineered mouse models as a tool to dissect the underlying mechanisms. Mouse models are analyzed at the biochemical, cellular (electrophysiological) and behavioral level. By analyzing the mice at all these levels, we hope to understand the specific function of these genes and proteins in brain development and function. Subsequently we use our cellular and animal models to test drugs to ameliorate the deficits.
Current focus is mostly on development of genetic therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for which we participate in the Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics (DCRT; www.rnatherapy.nl) and the TAILORED consortium.
To translate our pre-clinical findings to the patients, I founded the ENCORE expertise center for neurodevelopmental disorders, for which I’m the scientific director (www.encore-expertisecentrum.nl). ENCORE encompasses 15 nationally recognised expertise enters and participates in 2 European Reference Networks (ERNs). It includes (amongst others) the national referral center for TSC, Angelman Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, Fragile X, Cortical migration disorders, Synaptopathies, and Genetic forms of Autism (UNIQUE).
Current focus is mostly on development of genetic therapies such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) for which we participate in the Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics (DCRT; www.rnatherapy.nl) and the TAILORED consortium.
To translate our pre-clinical findings to the patients, I founded the ENCORE expertise center for neurodevelopmental disorders, for which I’m the scientific director (www.encore-expertisecentrum.nl). ENCORE encompasses 15 nationally recognised expertise enters and participates in 2 European Reference Networks (ERNs). It includes (amongst others) the national referral center for TSC, Angelman Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, Fragile X, Cortical migration disorders, Synaptopathies, and Genetic forms of Autism (UNIQUE).
Education and career
I obtained my PhD at the department of Biochemistry at the University of Amsterdam (1995, Cum Laude), where I worked on Peroxisome Biogenesis under the supervision of Prof. Henk Tabak and Ben Distel.
After my PhD, I did 6 years of postdoc in the US, at UCSD (San Diego), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and UCLA (Los Angeles). Here I was introduced into the field of Neuroscience at the lab of Alcino Silva.
In 2001 I returned to The Netherlands, where I started a lab at the department of Neuroscience at Erasmus MC Rotterdam. I became
a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience (2009), and founded the Erasmus MC Expertise Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ENCORE) (2011) for which I have since been the Scientific director.
Fascinated by the progress in genetics, and the possibility to correct rare (neuro)genetic disorders at the level of DNA or RNA, I moved in 2021 to the Dept. of Clinical Genetics at Erasmus MC, where I became section head of Research & Education
After my PhD, I did 6 years of postdoc in the US, at UCSD (San Diego), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and UCLA (Los Angeles). Here I was introduced into the field of Neuroscience at the lab of Alcino Silva.
In 2001 I returned to The Netherlands, where I started a lab at the department of Neuroscience at Erasmus MC Rotterdam. I became
a Professor of Molecular Neuroscience (2009), and founded the Erasmus MC Expertise Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ENCORE) (2011) for which I have since been the Scientific director.
Fascinated by the progress in genetics, and the possibility to correct rare (neuro)genetic disorders at the level of DNA or RNA, I moved in 2021 to the Dept. of Clinical Genetics at Erasmus MC, where I became section head of Research & Education
Publications
See for all my publications:
Teaching activities
- I have been ‘promotor’ (1st supervisor) for over 40 PhD students.
- I’m teaching in several MSc programs at Erasmus MC and other universities.
- I’m teaching in several MSc programs at Erasmus MC and other universities.
Other positions
- Vice-chair of the Dept of Clinical Genetics.
- Research head Dept. of Clinical Genetics.
- Founder and Scientific director of ENCORE
- Research head Dept. of Clinical Genetics.
- Founder and Scientific director of ENCORE
Scholarships, grants, and awards
VIDI, VICI, SFARI, NWO, ZonMW (TOP/PSIDER), ERDERA, EU Horizon, Epilepsiefonds, Cure epilepsy, ASF
