van Amerongen Lab - Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology

- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences - University of Amsterdam -  

what do we study?

Development of a multicellular animal requires tight control of cell proliferation, differentiation and polarized cell movements to ensure the correct assembly of cells into complex tissues.
How are such three-dimensional tissues built and maintained? This is the key question we address in our research, with a specific focus on the role and regulation of Wnt-signal transduction in mammary gland development and breast cancer.

why do we study this?

Our research is largely curiosity driven with the goal to close critical knowledge gaps in Wnt signalling and mammary gland biology. In particular, we aim to understand how cell-cell communication pathways, such as the Wnt pathway, can elicit specific, yet diverse, cellular responses depending on the developmental context.
At the same time, the same molecular mechanisms that normally guide complex biological processes in the embryo, maintain tissue homeostasis in the adult animal. When disrupted, they are the underlying cause of degenerative diseases, tumor formation and, ultimately, aging. As such, fundamental principles from developmental biology can be translated to cancer research and regenerative medicine. In doing so, we operate at the exciting interface of developmental biology, regenerative medicine and cancer research.

how do we study this?

We use a combination of model systems and experimental approaches, including lineage tracing analyses, primary three-dimensional organoid cultures and CRISPR/Cas (epi)genome editing.

Read more about our research (for scientists)
Read more about our research (for non-scientists, in English)
Lees meer over ons onderzoek en de aansluiting bij de Nationale Wetenschapsagenda (voor leken, in het Nederlands)

We enjoy talking about our research (or science in general) to a wide range of audiences. Whether it is kids, high school students or interested adults, we welcome opportunities to communicate our fascination for the human body (and what goes on inside it at the level of DNA, proteins and cells) to the general public. Contact for speaking or writing engagements.

We are also open to collaborations with industry or SMEs, so contact if our expertise is of interest to you.

Our work has received financial support from the following sources: