Specialization

Molecular Cardiology, non-coding RNA, iPS-cells

Focus of research

My research is focused on (RNA) biology in the iPS-cell derived cardiomyocyte. 

In these cells we study the allelic imbalance as explanation for differences in disease severity in inherited cardiac diseases, including both arrhythmic diseases and cardiomyopathies. We try to unravel the mechanisms underlying allelic imbalance ranging from imprinting to effects on miRNA or enhancer functions. On top of that we use allele-specific shRNAs to induce allelic imbalance in these inherited cardiac diseases as possible new therapeutics. 

Furthermore, we study the effect of loss of circular RNAs, a newly identified type of non-coding RNA, on the cardiomyocyte and try to unravel how these specific circular RNAs affect the cardiomyocytes.