Bas van Steensel appointed Professor of Chromosome Biology

Utrecht University has appointed Bas van Steensel as Special Professor of Chromosome Biology. Starting April 1, Van Steensel will conduct fundamental research into how chromosomes function and how genetic information is expressed in our bodies. In addition to his new role, he will continue working at his current institute, the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI).

Imagine trying to put a ten-centimeter thread in a box just one micrometer in size—that’s a thousand times smaller than a millimeter. And not just store it, but do so in a way that lets you instantly locate and use any part of the thread. That’s exactly what happens in our cells with chromosomes—the molecules that carry our DNA.

A single chromosome is ten centimeters long and is tightly packed together with several dozen others inside the nucleus of a cell. Bas van Steensel investigates how chromosomes are folded and how that folding affects how genetic information is expressed. Gaining a deeper understanding of this process is crucial for studying numerous diseases in which heredity plays a role, such as cancer and diabetes.

The largest biological molecules

“Chromosomes are the largest biological molecules we know,” says Van Steensel. “They are packed inside our cells in an incredibly complex way, yet they still function. I find it fascinating to study how this folding works and what effects it has on genes.”

Dark DNA

According to Van Steensel, an exciting new chapter is unfolding in his field. On one hand, biologists can now pinpoint exactly where the most important genes are located. Yet, strikingly, those genes make up only 3 percent of our DNA. The remaining 97 percent is largely uncharted territory for biologists. This part of the chromosome is often referred to as ‘dark DNA’ or non-coding DNA.

Precisely this region contains critical instructions necessary for cells to function properly. A significant portion of these instructions tells the cell how to find and read the correct genes on the chromosome.

The genetic codes in ‘dark DNA’ are incredibly difficult to decipher. But we are now developing technologies to crack those codes

“The genetic codes in this area are incredibly difficult to decipher,” says Van Steensel. “But we are now developing technologies to crack those codes.” The challenge lies in the enormous volume of genetic code that is contained within a chromosome, where hundreds of proteins are involved in reading genes and organizing the chromosomes.

His research generates such vast amounts of data that it becomes nearly impossible to gain any insights. Thanks to deep learning – a form of artificial intelligence – Van Steensel’s team can now gain a much better understanding of all that information.

Linking mutations to diseases

This approach reveals DNA mutations that previously went undetected – because they lie in the non-coding regions of DNA. In collaboration with researchers like Jeroen de Ridder from UMC Utrecht, Van Steensel is developing methods to link specific mutations to the emergence of diseases. “With this knowledge, we can, for example, map out much more precisely which genetic variant is relevant to a certain disease. And once you have that information, it’s easier to decide which treatment suits a particular patient best.”

It’s a giant puzzle, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating

“It’s a giant puzzle, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating,” says Van Steensel. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Utrecht to build fundamentally new insights into how chromosomes work. Hopefully, our discoveries will eventually lead to better treatments for diseases like cancer.”

Opportunities for students

Alongside his research, Van Steensel will also teach at Utrecht University. He will supervise Master’s students and provide guest lectures. “In our lab, we have exciting internship opportunities for Master’s students interested in technology and data analysis.”