Professor dr. S. (Sebastiaan) Heidt

Professor Dr. S. (Sebastiaan) Heidt is a researcher and transplant immunologist at Erasmus MC, with a research focus on the immune response to transplanted organs and the mechanisms underlying transplant rejection and long-term graft injury.

His research combines transplantation immunology, immune monitoring and cellular therapies with a particular focus on HLA  alloimmunity, immune responses in transplant recipients, and the development of novel strategies to overcome immunological barriers to transplantation.

Education

1997–2003
Leiden University, the Netherlands
Biomedical Sciences

2003–2009
Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Netherlands
PhD research in transplantation immunology, focusing on the characterization of B-cell responses in relation to solid organ transplantation.

Following his PhD, Sebastiaan Heidt was recognized as a SMBWO Immunologist.

Research Career

2009–2011
University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Postdoctoral Scientist, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
Research focused on biomarkers and immune monitoring of transplant rejection.

2011–2020
Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
Senior Scientist and Group Leader, Transplant Immunology Research
Developed his own research programme focusing on transplant immunology, HLA-specific immune responses and transplantation diagnostics.

2020–2024
Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
Director, Eurotransplant Reference Laboratory
Led the laboratory responsible for reference diagnostics in transplantation immunology.

2024–present
Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Head, Nephrology and Transplantation Laboratory
Professor of Transplantation Immunology, Erasmus MC, appointed March 2025.

2025–present
Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
Professor of Immunogenetics of Transplantation
Part-time appointment focused on strengthening collaboration between LUMC and Erasmus MC in transplantation research, diagnostics and education

Scholarships, Grants & Awards

• Bernard Amos Distinguished Scientist Award, American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), 2023
  Awarded for significant contributions to the field of histocompatibility and immunogenetics. Heidt was the third European recipient of this award.
• Astellas Transplant Research Prize, 2023
  Awarded to Sebastiaan Heidt and PhD candidate Ilse Gille for their research on Chimeric HLA Antibody Receptor (CHAR) T-cell therapy targeting HLA-specific B cells in highly sensitized transplant candidates.
• Dutch Kidney Foundation Innovation Grant, 2020
  €100,000 grant to develop precision immunotherapy targeting HLA-specific B cells in sensitized patients awaiting organ transplantation.
• Kolff+ Success Accelerator Grant, Dutch Kidney Foundation, 2023
  Awarded for research into Chimeric HLA Antibody Receptor (CHAR) therapy as a novel approach to overcome HLA sensitization and improve access to transplantation. The Dutch Kidney Foundation identifies the Kolff+ programme as its framework for supporting research with potential patient impact.

Research Grants

• Chimeric HLA Antibody Receptor Therapy: A Promising Approach to Target HLA Sensitization – Dutch Kidney Foundation Success Accelerator Grant
  In this grant, for which Heidt is the PI, a novel cell therapy to specifically target HLA-specific humeral immune memory for desensitisation is developed

• Permanently Removing the ABO Barrier in Kidney Transplantation (PERMABO) – Dutch Kidney Foundation Creativity Grant
  Heidt is PI for this grant on developing cutting-edge technology to overcome the ABO blood group barrier in transplantation

• PERSIMMON – NWO Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC), “One Kidney for Life”
  Heidt is a member of the multidisciplinary research team investigating personalized immunosuppression to improve long-term kidney graft survival.