H.P. (Henk) Roest, PhD

Starting as a molecular biologist in the field of plant-microbe interactions, my focus gradually shifted toward medical research for which I turned to the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Having participated in a broad spectrum of translational research, I joined the group of Prof. Van der Laan in the Laboratory of Experimental Transplantation and Intestinal Surgery (LETIS) in 2013, where my research activities focus on identification of predictive biomarkers for complications after liver transplantation with an emphasis on microRNAs.

Henk Roest studied Biology at Leiden University from 1983-1988. He continued his scientific career as a graduate student in the Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Leiden University, under the supervision of Prof. Ben J.J. Lugtenberg, where he successfully defended his thesis titled "Symbiotic regulation of Rhizobium leguminosarum outer membrane proteins" (1995). After a one year interruption, due to social service obligations, he started his first training as a post-doc in the Department of Genetics of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he developed and studied DNA repair mechanisms in mouse models. This period was followed by an NWO funded position at the Department of Endocrinology and Reproduction, Erasmus University Rotterdam, finishing his scientific training with a KWF funded position as a project leader returning to the Department of Genetics. As of 2003, he is working as a senior scientist in the Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam.

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Verstegen, M.M.A., F.J.M. Roos, K. Burka, H. Gehart, M. Jager, M. de Wolf, M.J.C. Bijvelds, H.R. de Jonge, A.I. Ardisasmita, N.A. van Huizen, H.P. Roest, J. de Jonge, M. Koch, F. Pampaloni, S.A. Fuchs, I.F. Schene, T.M. Luider, H.P.J. van der Doef, F.A.J.A. Bodewes, R.H.J. de Kleine, B. Spee, G.J. Kremers, H. Clevers, J.N.M. IJzermans, E. Cuppen, and L.J.W. van der Laan. 2020. Human extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids show region-specific differentiation potential and model cystic fibrosis-related bile duct disease..Sci Rep.10; 21900. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-79082-8.

Roest, H.P, L.S.S. Ooms, A.J.M. Gillis, J.N.M. IJzermans, L.H.J., Looijenga, L.C.J. Dorssers, F. J.M.F. Dor, and L.J.W. van der Laan. 2019. Cell-free microRNA miR-505-3p in graft preservation fluid is an independent predictor of delayed graft function after kidney transplantation. Transplantation 103:329-335.

Roest H.P., C.J. Verhoeven, J.E. de Haan, J. de Jonge, J.N.M. IJzermans, and L.J.W. van der Laan.  2016. Improving accuracy of urinary miRNA quantification in heparinized patients using Heparinase I digestion. J. Mol. Diagn. 18:825-833.

Bröker, M.E.E, Z.S. Lalmahomed, H.P. Roest, N.A. van Huizen, L.J. Dekker, W. Calame, C. Verhoef,  J.N.M. IJzermans, T.M. Luider. 2013. Collagen peptides in urine: a new promising biomarker for the detection of colorectal liver metastases. PLoS One. 16:e70918.

Roest, H.P., J. van Klaveren, J. de Wit, C.G. van Gurp, M.H.M. Koken, M. Vermey, J.H. van Roijen, J.W. Hoogerbrugge, J.T.M. Vreeburg, W.M. Baarends, D. Bootsma, J.A. Grootegoed, and J.H.J. Hoeijmakers. 1996. Inactivation of the HR6B ubiquitin-conjugating DNA repair enzyme in mice causes male sterility associated with chromatin modification. Cell 86: 799-810.

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PURE

Previous studies in the lab have shown that autologous dendritic cells pulsed with allogenic tumor cell lysate was able to induce peripheral T cell activation and tumor-reactive T cell responses in patients with mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer. Current research focuses on how to initiate an effective immune response in the tumor as well as the tumor-draining lymph node using dendritic cell vaccination. Furthermore, we are studying novel approaches for (personalized) vaccination. In addition, we have identified T cell characteristics that underlie clinical efficacy of immune check inhibitors or chemotherapeutic agents in mesothelioma. The selected publications below give an impression of our work.