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MAIKE HANSEN, PHD
Group Leader
Biophysical Chemistry
With a background in biophysics and biochemistry, I have a long-standing interest in gene expression regulation in diverse systems, ranging from bacteria and viruses to mammalian cells. After I obtained my master's from Warwick University (UK), I moved to the Netherlands where I received my PhD in 2015. I then worked in the lab of Leor Weinberger at Gladstone Institutes (UCSF) in San Francisco, where I studied gene expression dynamics in viruses, specifically HIV. Now I am interested in understanding how fluctuations at the (macro)molecular level can impact cellular behaviour. In my free time I like to take long walks with my dog, cook and read fantasy books.
If you are interested in joining our team, see the openings section.
Research grants and prizes:
2023: NWO Vidi
2022: ERC Starting Grant, ZonMw Off Road, NWO XS
2021: Descartes-Huygens Prize, NWO XS
2020: NWO XS
2016: NWO Rubicon
Teaching:
MOL-165 Biochemistry II
MOL-128 Essentials of Biochemistry Lab
MOL-129 Biochemistry Lab
Frank Nelissen, Ing.
Research Staff
I have a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and am also interested in Biotechnological applications. I studied at the HAN University of Applied Sciences and graduated in 2002. Since then, I am working at the department of Biophysical Chemistry and specialized in enzymatic nucleic acid synthesis, labeling, manipulation and purification methods, but cloning, PCR, protein expression & purification, blotting, (next generation) sequencing, cell culture and other associated techniques are also common practice. Furthermore, I feel the responsibility to keep our labs running safely and in an organized manner and am therefore involved in First Aid, Biosafety, PAM (working circumstances) and BHV (Emergency Respons). Lastly, I enjoy being involved in the Biochemistry and DNA technology practical courses for 1st and 2nd year students. In my free time, besides spending time with my family & friends and doing jobs around the house, I am a fanatic squash and padel player and in dry weather conditions I like long distance inline skating. I am also a big music fan and like to attend concerts.
Aafke Jonker, Ing.
Research Staff
I have a background in Biochemistry and graduated in 1987. Since then I am working at the department of Biophysical Chemistry.
I spend a considerable part of my time supporting the department: Inventory management, advice and instructions to PhD students and master/bachelor students of our own group as well from other groups and ordering chemicals and consumables. I also am involved in the Biochemistry and DNA-technology practical for 1st and 2nd year students.
In my spare time I play tennis and enjoy walks and bike rides.
Regular working hours : Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Merijn Koot, MSc
PhD student
During my bachelor's studies in Molecular Life Sciences and my master's in Chemistry of Life, I developed a profound interest in molecular biology. I enjoy unraveling how cells function and how their processes change when the environment is perturbed. During my PhD at the Hansen Lab, I am investigating how translation changes during stem cell differentiation. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and going to the gym with friends.
Martin Emmaneel, MSc
PhD student
I did my BSc Life Science and Technology at Leiden University and Delft University of Technology. Afterwards I continued with MSc Chemistry of Life at Radboud University. As a PhD candidate in the Hansen Lab, I focus on the effect of post-transcriptional modifications on gene expression and eventually how it regulates differentiation choices of mouse embryonic stem cells. Outside of the lab I like to take care for my ever-growing collection of house plants.
Meilin Yu, MSc
PhD student
In the past, I studied clinical science of stomatology at Fudan University (CHN), where I focused on the construction of polymer materials for alveolar bone regeneration. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in the Hansen Lab to write an entirely fresh and exciting chapter in my life. My goal Is to identify small-molecules that regulate transcriptional noise, aiming to block cancer drug resistance. Beyond the lab, I enjoy music, movies, and exploration of culinary delights.
Pieter Verhagen, MSc
PhD student
I studied Science and Chemistry of Life at the Radboud University in Nijmegen. It was during this time that I developed a passion for multidisciplinary research, spanning the realms of biology, chemistry and physics. My internships at both the Hansen lab and the Lenstra group at the NKI made me realize that I can combine these fields when studying gene expression noise. As a PhD student in the Hansen lab, I will focus on understanding how nuclear speckles contribute to this noise. Beyond the lab, I practice various sports, enjoy hiking trips and love to draw!
Sue van de Griendt, MSc
PhD student
During my bachelor I studied Molecular Life Sciences at the Wageningen University. After, I continued with the research master Oncology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. I am fascinated by the extreme cellular and molecular differences of cancerous cells which allow them to survive many circumstances. In the Hansen lab I will study pathways regarding gene expression noise in relation to drug tolerance in cancer cells. In my leisure time, I like cooking, drawing and playing board games.
Djiwa Moest'l, MSc
Research Assistant
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Luca Wagner, MSc
PhD student
I did a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in neurobiology in Amsterdam, Boston, and Milan. During my studies, I became fascinated with complex systems - first in human behavior, and then in biology. Before starting at the Hansen lab, I did research internships in evolutionary genomics and human brain development. In my PhD project, I will explore noise in gene expression, how proteins regulate it, and how it can shape the way cells differentiate from stem cells into various lineages using single-cell sequencing. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, reading, art, running, and petting the cats in my neighborhood.
Joost Hoeksel
Master student
Former lab members:
Xinyu Hu - Postdoc (2023-2025) now postdoc at Hubrecht
Óscar García Blay - PhD student (2020-2025) now postdoc at NKI
Carmen Grandi - PhD student (2020-2025) now engineer at Philips
Former Master students:
Nikita Rochinas - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2026)
Carmen Idema - Bachelor student (Honours), Molecular Life Sciences (2026)
Angelique Simillides - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2026)
Sabrina Bianco - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2026)
Kathryn Schram - Master Student, University of Aberdeen (2025-2026)
Mello Rocha - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2025-2026)
Ekaterina Aranovskaia - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2025)
Floris Thiesen - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2025)
Chloe Thijlof - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2025)
Djiwa Moest'l - Master Student, Medical Biology (2025)
Anastasia Tsitsimeli - Master Student, Chemistry of Life (2025)
Yente Frankvoort - Master Student, Human Biology (2025)
Sjoerd Uijttewaal - Master Student, Medical Biology (2024)
Merijn Koot - Master Student, Chemistry of Life (2024)
Joey van den Broek - Master Student, Chemistry of Life (2024)
Lynn Schepens - Master Student, Medical Biology (2024)
Kavita Lips - Master Student, Human Biology (2023)
Gwendoly Koenhein - Master Student Human Biology (2023)
Bibian Verstegen - Master Student, Medical Biology (2023)
Zumaya Abdi - Master Student, Human Biology (2022-2023)
Omnia Elzokla - Master Student, Medical Biology (2022-2023)
Martin Emmaneel - Master Student, Molecular Life Sciences (2022)
Pieter Verhagen - Master Student, Chemistry of Life (2021-2022)
Christin Wassermann - Erasmus Master Student, Medical-Biological Chemistry (2022)
Yoanna Petrova - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2021-2022)
Fréderique Struijs - Master Student, Medical Biology (2021-2022)
Fathi Ibrahim - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2021-2022)
Laura Roosenboom - Master Student, Medical Epigenomics (2021-2022)
Lise Wubbolts - Master student, Chemistry of Life (2020-2021)
Benjamin Martin - Master Student, Université Paris (2020-2021)
Louise van Hoof - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2021)
Fulvio Farina - Bachelor student, Chemistry (2021)
Femke Michels - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2021)
Pieter Verhagen - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2021)
Ruben Kuijl - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2020-2021)
Cong-Quan Ta - Intern, University of Applied Sciences (2020-2021)
Bart Swinkels - Bachelor student, Molecular Life Sciences (2020)