The research mission of this section is to study basic processes in molecular cell biology to generate novel, fundamental insights related to cellular and organismal fitness. Through high-quality research, we aim at identifying and, where possible, at exploiting cellular targets to promote healthy aging and/or treat human disease.
Molecular cell biology studies how cells and tissues maintain their function, and what can cause their dysfunction. Fundamental knowledge about cell biological processes is key to understand how genetics or environment affect human health or lead to disease.
Within the section Molecular Cell Biology of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, at the UMCG, several aspects of cell biology are studied. These include protein homeostasis, protein complex remodelling, and organelle biogenesis and maintenance. Model systems include yeast, the fruit fly Drosophila, mice, mammalian cells and (patient-derived) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), somatic stem cells, organoids, and organotypic slice models. Diseases studied encompass neurodegenerative disorders, (cardio)myopathies, gastroenterological diseases, dermatological diseases, and malignancies. Our section (and department) has a formal link with the Department of Radiological Oncology. The section runs facilities for Drosophila research, offering a variety of disease and aging models, for access to Cesium-137γ-ray, to irradiate of samples, and for molecular imaging, providing state-of-the-art systems for fluorescence and electron microscopy.
Research in the section is supported by the UMCG, the University of Groningen, and a wide array of scientific organisations (NWO and EU) and charities (the Dutch Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, the Dutch Brain Foundation, the Dutch Heart Foundation, the Dutch Cancer Society, etc.).
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