prof. dr. S.H.M. Rooijakkers
prof. dr. S.H.M. Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology
Research Programs
Biography
Biography
The goal of the research of Suzan Rooijakkers is to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial killing by the human immune system. In particular, she investigates the molecular functioning of the complement system, a large protein network in plasma that plays an essential role in the immune response against all invading bacteria. Complement rapidly labels bacteria for phagocytosis by immune cells and directly kills Gram-negative bacteria via pore formation (Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)). Although the MAC is an evolutionary conserved mechanism to kill bacterial cells, we currently do not understand how complement activation results in bacterial killing. In 2015, she obtained the prestigious ERC Starting grant that is aimed at providing insight into these bacterial killing mechanisms. She has recently established novel methods to study complement activation in highly purified model systems allowing us to provide insight into MAC-dependent killing of bacteria.
Other projects in the lab involve unravelling processes underlying complement-mediated phagocytosis. Complement is essential in immune eradication of Gram-positive bacteria. She aims to elucidate the molecular details of complement opsonin-receptor interactions . The work will pave the way for several therapeutic applications, including targeted complement-dependent bacterial killing and antibody therapy of clinically important bacteria. Furthermore, her studies will create new avenues for blocking the undesired complement activation during systemic bacterial infections and sepsis.
Side Activities
1. 2021 (once) External grant reviewer Wallenberg foundation, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. No compensation.
2. 2019-now Board member Executive Board Netherlands Antibiotic Development Platform (NADP). Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
3. 2018-NOW TTW-NACTAR Programme committee (no compensation)
4. Organizer of the 2nd and 3rd international conference on antibodies and complement. May 2019 and June 2023. Girona, Spain. (travel and registration costs of PI were compensated (<2000 euro per meeting)
5. Committee member of NWO-ZonMw Veni program (2019, once). Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
6. Panel member of the excecutive committe of the 'Complement UK research network', a collaborative organization that joints over 40 PIs (representing 29 UK Centers). My role as a panel member was to recruit PhD students for open positions (May 2016) Compensation in favor of research group at UMCU.
Fellowship and Awards
Research Grants
2023 €1.500.000,- NWO-Vici grant
2020 €2.000.000,- personal ERC Consolidator grant from European Research Council
2019 co-applicant on a European Joint Doctorate grant
2019 €250.000,- NCOH-AMR Complex Systems grant
2018 €300.000,- NWO-TTW Industrial Doctorate grant
2018 €800.000,- NWO-TTW NACTAR
2018 €200.000,- NWO-Aspasia grant
2018 Hub for Molecular Immunology, UU
2015 €1.500.000,- personal ERC Starting grant from European Research Council.
2013 Co-applicant on a €800.000,- Eurostars grant together with Pepscan Therapeutics and Bicycle Therapeutics (#E7679, BAIT, Bicycle Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics).
2011 €100.000,- Aspasia-grant from NWO.
2010 €800.000,- personal VIDI-grant for Innovational Research Incentives from NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) (#917-11-379).
2008 European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) long term fellowship (#ALTF 382-2008).
2007 €200.000,- personal VENI-grant for Innovational Research Incentives from NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) (#916-76-037).
Contract research
2018-2021 €500.000,- Genmab-sponsored research grant (no personal payment)
2015-2017 €300.000,- Genmab-sponsored research grant (no personal payment)
Research Output (78)
Aguinagalde Salazar Leire, den Boer Maurits A, Castenmiller Suzanne M, Zwarthoff Seline A, de Haas Carla, Aerts Piet C, Beurskens Frank J, Schuurman Janine, Heck Albert J R, van Kessel Kok, Rooijakkers Suzan H M 22 Mar 2023, In: eLife. 12
von Richthofen Helen J., Westerlaken Geertje H.A., Gollnast Doron, Besteman Sjanna, Delemarre Eveline M., Rodenburg Karlijn, Moerer Petra, Stapels Daphne A.C., Andiappan Anand K., Rötzschke Olaf, Nierkens Stefan, Leavis Helen L., Bont Louis J., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Meyaard Linde 15 Feb 2023, In: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). 210 , p. 389-397 9 p.
Egido Julia E., Toner-Bartelds Catherine, Costa Ana Rita, Brouns Stan J.J., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Bardoel Bart W., Haas Pieter Jan 16 Jan 2023, In: Scientific Reports. 13
Boero Elena, Gorham Ronald D., Francis Emmet A., Brand Jonathan, Teng Lay Heng, Doorduijn Dennis J., Ruyken Maartje, Muts Remy M., Lehmann Christian, Verschoor Admar, van Kessel Kok P.M., Heinrich Volkmar, Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 6 Jan 2023, In: Scientific Reports. 13
Janet-Maitre Manon, Pont Stéphane, Masson Frerich M., Sleiman Serena, Trouillon Julian, Robert-Genthon Mylène, Gallet Benoît, Dumestre-Perard Chantal, Elsen Sylvie, Moriscot Christine, Bardoel Bart W., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Cretin François, Attrée Ina Jan 2023, In: PLoS pathogens. 19
Beudeker Coco R., Vijlbrief Daniel C., van Montfrans Joris M, Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Flier Michiel van der 18 Oct 2022, In: Frontiers in Immunology. 13
van Os Nico, Javed Ali, Broere Femke, van Dijk Albert, Balhuizen Melanie D., van Eijk Martin, Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Bardoel Bart W., Heesterbeek Dani A.C., Haagsman Henk P., Veldhuizen Edwin Sep 2022, In: Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. 30 , p. 406-413 8 p.
Cruz Ana Rita, Bentlage Arthur E H, Blonk Robin, de Haas Carla J C, Aerts Piet C, Scheepmaker Lisette M, Bouwmeester Inge G, Lux Anja, van Strijp Jos A G, Nimmerjahn Falk, van Kessel Kok P M, Vidarsson Gestur, Rooijakkers Suzan H M 24 Aug 2022, In: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). 209 , p. 1146-1155 10 p.
Doorduijn Dennis J., Lukassen Marie V., van 't Wout Marije F.L., Franc Vojtech, Ruyken Maartje, Bardoel Bart W., Heck Albert J.R., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M. 10 Aug 2022, In: eLife. 2022 , p. 1-22
Doorduijn Dennis J., Heesterbeek Dani A.C., Ruyken Maartje, de Haas Carla J.C., Stapels Daphne A.C., Aerts Piet C., Rooijakkers Suzan H.M., Bardoel Bart W. 8 Aug 2022, In: PLoS pathogens. 18 , p. 1-8