As the technician for this research unit, my main focus is to facilitate all the students their research in the most efficient manner. This not only means to apply my own knowledge and expertise to each of the projects, but to also rely on the great network of researchers within the institute we reside in. This way, we create excellent research by utilizing as much of everybody's experience as possible. Next to my technician responsibilities, I strive to develop into a better researcher too by leading my own research and answering smaller research questions on the side. Whilst I have no particular interest in a specific topic, I am convinced that any subject can be interesting if you are invested enough. A life without passion is not living, it's merely existing.

My name is Floris-Jan Haan, with a background in Biomedical Sciences (RuG), and currently doing my PhD under the supervision of Marina. Currently I am researching the influence of the microenvironment on tissue, in context of ageing. My scientific interests stem from the curiosity of learning and finding information that is completely novel to society, with a special focus on neuroscience. The intricate workings of the brain, and the infinite complexity of the human body are are what fascinates me. When I am not in the lab, I love to go bouldering, pursue photography, and do outdoor sports like hiking or snowboarding.

Research focus: Investigating the proteomic characteristics of liver fibrosis through the precision liver slices and organoids model

My name is Damian Hofstra. I am a Pharmacy master student. For my master's project, I am researching both liver organoids and precision-cut liver slices under the supervision of M. Trombetta Lima and F. Dong.

I am a 5th year pharmacy student, doing my master's research project under the supervision of Romina, Floris-Jan and Marina. My research focuses on the passage of small molecule kinase inhibitors across the blood-brain barrier.

I’m a PhD student focused on ALS research, aiming to improve how we study neurodegenerative diseases by developing better models, exploring a range of therapeutic approaches, and using molecular dynamics simulations to better understand disease mechanisms. My approach is rooted in finding innovative, practical solutions that drive efficiency and open up new possibilities in the field. I’m especially interested in exploring emerging technologies to tackle the complexity of these diseases and create real-world impact. 

Marluce Mantovani has a PhD in Medical Sciences – Area of Genetic Disorders of Development and Metabolism, Of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), Brazil. She is a Laboratory Specialist at the Faculdade de Medicina of the University of São Paulo in the Biotechnology and Innovation Center of the Technical Division of Support for Teaching, Research And Innovation – DTAPEPI(https://biot.fm.usp.br/index.php). Futhermore, she is a Researcher at the Cellular and Molecular Therapy Center Group -NUCEL(www.usp.br/nucel). She is specialized in Regenerative Medicine, mostly in primary pancreatic islets isolation and culture, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Cell Therapy, Diabetes type I, Organ decellularization and 3D culture (aggregates/spheroids/organoids).

I am a master student doing my research internship under Marina’s group. The focus of my project lies on the characterisation and functionality of “aged” brain organoid in a dynamic culture condition under microgravity. Based on previous research and our own group hypothesis, brain organoid cultured in dynamic condition would have accelerated maturation and development to move closer towards an aged / senescent phenotype, making this model a more relevant one to study old-age pathophysiology like Alzheimer’s disease. My project aims to investigate how dynamic culture condition with microgravity alters different expressions of neuronal cell types and the extent of extracellular matrix (ECM) reorganisation and development in such condition, with the goal to see whether these brain organoids exhibit features as seen in aged brain. Our lab is also interested in assessing functionality of these organoids by examining neuronal network activity and metabolism via different techniques like multi-electrode array technique and Seahorse respectively. Interest: Neurodegeneration, calcium signalling, mitochondria, aging, dynamic culture, ECM reorganisation

Hi, I’m Anastasia and I am doing a master's programme in Biomedical Engineering. Currently, I am writing my thesis under the supervision of Marina and Floris-Jan. My topic of research is cell behaviour in an aged brain environment.