Dr. S. (Saskia) Braber

David de Wiedgebouw
Universiteitsweg 99
3584 CG Utrecht

Dr. S. (Saskia) Braber

Researcher
Pharmacology
+31 30 253 7353
s.braber@uu.nl

Saskia Braber’s current research is aimed at elucidating the mechanisms by which epithelial (and immune) cells in the airways and gut respond to inorganic, organic, and microbial intruders and how beneficial nutrition and/or pharmacological active compounds can strengthen the essential mucosal barrier function using different in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. A strong mucosal barrier in humans as well as in animals will help us in preventing and controlling human/animal diseases and reducing the use of antibiotics in the “One health” perspective. Multifactorial diseases, may require a multi-target approach related to their complexity and involvement of multiple signaling pathways. Therefore, she thinks that successful concepts to treat, prevent, or delay these diseases could result in finding optimal combinations of medicines and nutritional components (pharma-nutrition) to increase efficacy, reduce adverse effects. In this perspective the understanding of the pharmacological modulation of immune responses by nutritional components, e.g. dietary fibers, such as oligosaccharides, is essential and intrigued her.