Sander Palit, Phd Email & Phone Number

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is a reliable, fast and robust PCR-based method for the detection of copy number alterations, mutations and changes in DNA methylation at genomic regions of interest. Recently, MRC Holland developed digitalMLPA, which allows for the genetic analysis of samples in high throughput fashion by combining MLPA with Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. MLPA and digitalMLPA are powerful tools for the genetic analysis of tumor samples, revealing genetic abberations that drive tumor development and progression. As Product Developer Oncogenetics, I focus mainly on developing new, and optimizing existing digitalMLPA probemixes for tumor profiling.

Amsterdam Area, Netherlands

I completed my PhD in functional genomics in the lab of Dr. Michiel van der Heijden at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. For my thesis, I used CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screens to identify genes that play a central role in prostate cancer biology and therapy resistance. Through this approach, we provided insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to novel therapeutics that target the androgen receptor (AR) signalling axis in prostate cancer, and identified drug combinations with therapeutic potential in this cancer type.

Amsterdam

The evolutionarily conserved H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L is involved in various key processes such as cell cycle control, DNA damage response and regulating transcription. Moreover, DOT1L has been implicated in the development and maintenance of MLL-rearranged leukemia as it is able to interact with several MLL fusion partners, resulting in aberrant H3K79 methylation at homeobox genes. Because MLL-rearranged leukemias are dependent on aberrant H3K79 methylation by DOT1L, this histone modifier is a potential therapeutic target in this type of leukemias.Research interests of the Fred van Leeuwen group include the regulation of DOT1L, and the role of this histone modifier in cancer. Understanding the need of some tumors to maintain aberrant DOT1L expression will be relevant for human tumors carrying mutations that affect the expression of DOT1L or its regulators. For my project, I investigated the role of DOT1L in the oncogenic transformation of T-cells using mouse T-cell lymphoma models.

Nijmegen

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer in children, characterized by a block in the lymphoid differentiation leading to the accumulation of early lymphoid progenitors in the bone marrow, blood and occasionally the nervous system. Distinct B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) subtypes harbor specific genetic alterations that affect the differentiation, self-renewal and proliferation of early B-cell progenitors. In 9% of the BCP-ALL cases, B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) is deleted. How loss of BTG1 is implicated in BCP-ALL is not well understood. For my project I investigated the functional consequences of loss of tumor suppressor BTG1, and its role in the regulation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a global regulator of the cellular stress response.

For my graduation project I conducted research on zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) - custom designed enzymes capable of recognizing and cleaving specific loci - and their potential for directed modification of DNA sequences (gene targeting).

During my internship at the Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group (AFSG), I conducted research on a microbial enzyme implicated in the synthesis of heparosan which is the precursor for heparin, a blood anticoagulant commonly used in medical care.

Master Of Science (Msc), Medical Biology

Courses (pre-master): - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II - Immunology - Functional Genomics - Medical Biotechnology - Molecular.

Bachelor, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology

During the bachelor programme biochemistry and molecular biology at the HAN University I followed the following courses (main phase).

Havo, High School