Phd-student Jasper Ooms
Research
My primary interest lies in fundamental research within the field of cell biology, particularly in the role of ubiquitin in maintaining cellular health. Proteins are central to almost every biological process, and their correct folding and function are essential. However, when proteins become misfolded or dysfunctional, they can accumulate and damage cells, leading to diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders.
In my PhD project, I am investigating how faulty proteins can harm cells and contribute to disease progression. Ubiquitin plays a key role in the cell’s quality-control system, tagging defective proteins for removal via the proteasome or autophagy pathways. By studying this ubiquitin-mediated system, our aim is to better understand how cells detect and manage protein damage. Ultimately, this knowledge could help develop new approaches to preventing and treating diseases linked to protein dysfunction.
Curriculum vitae
I obtained my Master's degree in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences from Leiden University. During my studies, I completed two internships: one with the Molecular Pharmacology group at the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), and another with the Medicinal Chemistry/Molecular Pharmacology group at Vrije University Amsterdam. My research centered on G protein-coupled receptor signaling. In September 2024, I joined Alfred Vertegaal's laboratory as a PhD student, where I am focusing on investigating cellular quality-control mechanisms.
