Jos P.H. Smits Email & Phone Number

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Nederland

My newly funded research line aims to further elucidate the biological functions of filaggrin and the implications of its loss, e.g., in atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris. By harnessing CRISPR/Cas9, we will (re-)create relevant filaggrin variants in human keratinocytes. Using sophisticated, organotypic epidermal models complete with inflammatory milieu and loaded with live, pathogenic bacteria (e.g., staphylococcus aureus), we will study the implications of filaggrin variations on atopic dermatitis onset, severity, and treatment.

Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

In the lab of Prof. dr. Bernhard Homey, I study the influence of EGFR on skin barrier formation and the microbiome. I conduct animal-free three-dimensional tissue cultures co-cultured with live microbiota under normal EGFR or EGFR-inactivated conditions to assess barrier properties and susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Nijmegen Area, Netherlands

I was a postdoctoral fellow at the Experimental Dermatology lab of Prof. dr. Ellen van den Bogaard. During this fellowship I created successful CRISPR/Cas9 genomic engineering protocols using the immortalized N/TERT-2G keratinocytes. We genetically engineered knockout keratinocytes lacking FLG, LCE3B/C, LCE3A, CST6, TFAP2A, AHR, ARNT. In addition, the FLG knockout cell line was rescued by repairing the mutation we created earlier, again via CRISPR/Cas9. Research using all of these cell lines is ongoing while the biobank of genetically engineered keratinocytes is expanding.Funding acquisition:- successful co-applicant in 2022 LEO Foundation research grant round (project to run 2023 - 2026)Personal awards and recognition:- Winner of "Young Investigators Collegiality Award" by the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) and Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) in 2022.- Alumni of the "Academy for Future Leaders in Dermatology" by the ESDR in 2021.- Winner "ESDR 2021" prize in 2021.- "Scientific Highlight of 2019" by the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS)- Winner "Breaking News" award by the Dutch foundation for experimental dermatology (NVED)Tasks, both wetlab research and administrative: - Genome editing (CRISPR-Cas9, both NHEJ and HDR) and analysis. - Molecular biology, e.g. RNAseq, ChIPseq, qPCR, western blot and analysis.- Cell and tissue culture: modeling of healthy and diseased skin using epidermal equivalent model systems and analysis.- Mentoring PhD student as copromotor.- Writing of scientific publications.- Mentoring masterstudents during their wetlab internships- Writing of project proposals for acquiring research funds.

Department Of Experimental Dermatology

Project title: Right on TAR-get: anti-inflammatory mechanisms of coal tar.Dissertation title: "Coal tar and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor signaling: an ancient treatment unraveled by modern science"Tasks, both wetlab research and administrative: - Molecular biology, e.g. RNAseq, ChIPseq, methylome analysis, skin microbiome analysis, qPCR, western blot and analysis.- Cell and tissue culture: modeling of healthy and diseased skin using epidermal equivalent model systems and analysis.- Writing of scientific publications.- Mentoring masterstudents during their wetlab internships

Department Of Cell Biology

Setting up a suspension 3D cell culture model for invasive growth using normal breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A

Department Of Experimental Dermatology

Identification of interaction partners of late cornified envelope (LCE) proteins.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies

Title: "Coal tar and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor signaling: an ancient treatment unraveled by modern science" Promotor: Prof. dr. Joost.

Master Of Science (Msc), Medical Biology

Exceeded required ECTS by 23

Master Of Science - Ms, Pre-Master Medical Biology

Bachelor, Biologie En Medisch Laboratoriumonderzoek (Bas)

Specialisatie: Klinische Chemie en Hematologie