Advanced microscopy and organelle dynamics

We aim to comprehend the complex process of lysosome biogenesis in health and disease. Advancing our understanding holds promise for novel treatments of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Klumperman lab is dedicated to exploring membrane trafficking in health and disease, with a specific focus on lysosomes. Lysosomes are essential organelles that regulate cellular metabolism as well as some to the major signaling pathways in the cell, making them a key target for our research. Given the involvement of lysosomes in diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, our research is crucial for understanding and potentially treating these conditions.

Our unique approach involves visualizing lysosomes using specialized electron microscopy (EM) techniques. Judith Klumperman is an expert in EM, and the lab utilizes a unique combination of EM, molecular, and biochemical methods to unravel the intricate morpho-molecular organization within cells. Our expertise in immuno-EM and correlative microscopy (CLEM) allows us to directly correlate information from live cells to EM images, enhancing our understanding of cellular processes.

Currently, our research topics span endo-lysosomal biology, membrane trafficking, neuronal cell biology, autophagy, cancer cell biology, and CLEM. Through our interdisciplinary approach and collaborative efforts, we aim to make significant contributions to both basic science and clinical applications in understanding and treating diseases.

Contact for internships

Prof. Judith Klumperman: J.Klumperman@umcutrecht.nl
secretariat.cellbiology@umcutrecht.nl

People

Name

Position

Judith Klumperman

PI

Nalan Liv

Assistant Professor

Paolo Sanza

Postdoctoral fellow

Jan van der Beek

Postdoctoral fellow

Valentina Gómez Mellado

Postdoctoral fellow

Reini van der Welle

PhD student

Elisa Chen

PhD student

Jui Shinde

PhD student

Derk Draper

PhD student

Matteo Tantucci

PhD student

Lakshmi Edakkandiyil

PhD student

Elly Soltani

PhD student

Corlinda ten Brink

Lab Coördinator & CMC Facility Manager

Tineke Veenendaal

Senior Technician & EM Manager

Cilia de Heus

Technician

René Scriwanek

Photography and Image Processing

Betty Hartgring

Secretary

Geertje ter Maat

Project Manager (NEMI)