Provide the appropriate infrastructure for the continued development of Hybridize Therapeutics' existing pipeline, and investigate and instigate new opportunities for pipeline expansion.

Hybridize Pharma B.V. (Hybridize) is a pharmaceutical spin-off from the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in The Netherlands. The mission of Hybridize is to develop innovative RNA-based therapeutics that specifically target kidney diseases.

In this role I aided University Scientists with innovative technologies in protecting their intellectual property, assisted with master services agreements with external parties together with our LUMC legal team, and establishing partnerships as well as the search for diluting and non-diluting investment opportunities.

The goal of my RNA-Binding Protein Research Group is to gain fundamental insight into the role of these critical post-transcriptional regulators in both circulating and blood vessel-resident cells, and to develop novel RNA-based therapeutic appoaches to improve the health of damaged or aged blood vessels. While fundamental in nature, the effective translation of such knowledge within the Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) at the Leiden University Medical Center is designed to enhance the quality of patient care and life for those afflicted with inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis and athersclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease in women poses the clinician for diagnostic and, therefore, therapeutic dilemmas. Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in women is difficult, especially the diagnosis of heart failure. The Queen of Hearts consortium consists of top researchers from five large academic medical centers in the Netherlands who have united to improve diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in women. For this project, I will serve as the leader of the bioinformatics work package. For more information regarding this exciting endeavour designed to improve both the diagnosis of and generate novel therapeutic options for women with cardiovascular disease, visit our website at:http://www.queen-of-hearts.eu/

My current goal within the Department of Nephrology / Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine is to improve the health of damaged or aged blood vessels. To achieve this, I am investigating how RNA-binding proteins can either protect or exacerbate inflammatory processes in circulating cells as well as various cell types of the vessel wall.

I established a research platform that investigates the regulatory role of RNA-binding proteins in various vascular cells that are causally involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. During this time, I also commenced with serving as the co-promoter of a Ph.D student.

Coordinate the design and implementation of the CTMM Circulating Cells (in collaboration with Utrecht University). Studies assessing the role of a novel protein in the regulation of monocyte/macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell biology. Teaching of medical and biopharmaceutic sciences students, and guidance of both domestic as well as international Master's students.

The focus of my research was gaining insight into the role of a protein named nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell behaviour. This research, performed under the guidance of Prof. J. Geoffrey Pickering, resulted in three first author publications in Circulation Research (including an Editorial regarding our work), the Journal of Biological Chemistry (accelerated publication) and the Journal of Cell Science. Also, during this period I (together with my supervisor) obtained several patents regarding human cellular lifespan extension that were acquired by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc (now a division of GlaxoSmithKline PLC) . For me, the combination of exciting science and the potential of clinical application was extremely rewarding.

During this time I obtained my B.Sc. in Chemistry and M.Sc. in bio-inorganic chemistry (under the supervision of Prof. Siem Albracht). Here, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), I investigated the co-factor composition the one of the most intriguing enzymes involved in the electron transport chain, namely NADH-Ubiquinone oxidoreductase (commonly known as Complex I). Using this technique, I was able to track the ph-depedent flow of electrons from either NADH or NADPH through flavin mononucleotide molecules and iron-sulfur clusters contained with Complex I.