"Understanding the dynamic interactions between influenza viruses and their sialoglycan receptors will help us to combat these pathogens"
Brief summary of research:
Research of Xander de Haan is particularly focused on the molecular biology of influenza A virus, with an emphasis on the interactions of this virus with sialoside receptors and the consequences thereof for endocytic uptake, tropism and pathogenesis. These virus-receptor interactions are among others being studied using recombinant soluble mimics of the envelope glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) in combination with solid phase binding and cleavage assays as well as by biolayer interferometry, the latter to characterize the functional balance between HA and NA in virus particles. Recently, the interactions of paramyxoviruses with glycan receptors have been added to the research topics. Understanding the dynamic interactions between viruses and their glycan receptors will help us to understand their zoonotic potential and to combat these pathogens.
Xander de Haan's research also focuses on the development of antiviral drugs and innovative vaccines against influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus and elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus.
While Xander de Haan mainly works on influenza viruses, he has worked for approximately 20 years on coronaviruses, thereby studying diverse aspects of the interaction of these viruses with host cells, including virus entry, replication and assembly. In 2020 and 2021, Xander was a curator of the COVID-19 Research Registry of the American Society for Microbiology.
Dynamics of Influenza A Virus–Receptor Interactions at the Mucus–Cell Interface (Trends Microbiol . 2020 Jan;28(1):57-67. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.08.010.)