On March 15, AI&I researchers will lace up their running shoes for the Amstelveen Spring Marathon, raising funds for research into Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS). Every donation supports innovative projects to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for PAIS patients. Support PAIS research, donate today!
Meet the Runner: Jan Van den Bossche
I am Jan Van den Bossche, Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, where my group studies immunometabolism of the innate immune system. I’ll be running the full marathon: 42.195 km!
Why I Run
I enjoy running and see it as a win-win when I can combine it with a fundraiser. My motivation to move and run is that it makes me feel good and happy. Scientifically, we have good evidence that a healthy lifestyle and overall fitness translate into metabolically fitter immune cells. So when we are running, we might also be training our immune cells to better fight pathogens and combat chronic inflammation.
As Jan puts it: ‘Maybe that’s why I never get sick, my immune cells are in top shape thanks to running!’
The Importance of PAIS Research
A lot of research is focused on major killers, including cancers, cardiometabolic diseases, and age-related diseases. While long-COVID helped to gain some attention, PAIS has been largely overlooked, but it massively impacts patients and society. More insights and strategies to manage it have the potential to make a huge difference. By participating in the marathon, I hope to draw attention to PAIS in the scientific community and society.
Goals for the Fundraising Campaign
I hope to create awareness for PAIS, raise money for research, and show that researchers do more than pipetting in the lab and sitting in front of a screen.
Marathon Preparation
By running :-)
Let’s Make Impact Together
I generally run longer and faster with more donations, so keep the support coming! 😉
Learn more about the PAIS research being conducted at AI&I