The general aims of the division of
Experimental Hematology are to obtain detailed knowledge on (molecular) mechanisms that determine hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, with the ultimate goal to deepen our insights in the development of human leukemias. We have a specific interest in dissecting the clonal heterogeneity of leukemias and recently developed tools that allow us to identify and prospectively isolate genetically distinct clones within individual patients (de Boer et al, Cancer Cell 2018). We perform gene-function analyses in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells isolated from cordblood and bone marrow utilizing various strategies including optimized retro/lentiviral transduction protocols and inducible RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 approaches. We have a longstanding expertise in using molecular approaches (transcriptome, proteome and epigenome) to further understand processes such as hematopoietic differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and self-renewal. We utilize a series of cell biological in vitro and in vivo model systems to be able to translate knowledge from our molecular research lines to more general concepts of hematopoietic stem cell biology. We anticipate that our studies will lead to a more rational approach in the clinic of this highly malignant disorder.
We are currently looking for two talented and highly motivated PhD students on a project that will focus on the metabolome of AML cells. We have recently uncovered how the metabolome of AML cells different from that of healthy hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Within a recently awarded Dutch cancer Foundation grant we wish to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. For further information please contact: Prof. Dr. Jan Jacob Schuringa (j.j.schuringa@umcg.nl).
Furthermore, we are looking for a PhD student focusing on clonal hematopoiesis in older individuals. We explore relationships between clonal hematopoiesis and derailed hematopoiesis by making use of the prospective, population-based Lifelines cohort (see eg van Zeventer et al, Blood 2020) (https://www.lifelines.nl/). Further, by linkage of Lifelines with the other national registries, like the cancer registry, we aim to explore in whom clonal hematopoiesis evolves into cancer and which genetic and environmental factors effect this process. For further information please contact: Prof. Dr. Gerwin Huls (g.huls@umcg.nl).
For an overview of our work please see:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=schuringa+jj
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=huls+g