Research groups from Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht are collaborating with Danone-Nutricia Research, TNO and RIVM at the Utrecht Exposome Hub. They are investigating how environmental factors, in interaction with each other, influence our health. This includes exposure to fine dust, as well as for example nutrition and exercise. The partners at the Utrecht Science Park are therefore frontrunners in international exposome research.

Dr. Helen Leavis (clinical immunologist at UMC Utrecht), one of the scientists involved in the Hub: ‘’The microbiota is important because it represents a direct interaction between the environment and people. We hope to contribute to the development of new treatments for future patients through improved insights into these interactions.’’

Another good example is the collaboration in the Utrecht Molecular Immunology Hub. Genmab, Utrecht University and the UMC Utrecht are part of the Molecular Immunology Hub. The unique collaboration at the at the Utrecht Science Park makes these partners global players in the development of antibody therapies against cancer and infectious diseases.

Prof. Suzan Rooijakkers (microbiologist at UMC Utrecht): “The fact that we work so closely together allows us to quickly share knowledge and techniques. That gives us a big advantage over other research groups, both nationally and internationally.”

Complex Systems and Metagenomics

• Molecular mechanisms of microbiota-mediated colonization resistance against intestinal outgrowth of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, K. pneumoniae) and enterococci – (PhD candidate: Paul Stege)
• Development of Bayesian inference methods for estimating transmission trees for antibiotic-resistant pathogens in hospitals and farms (PhD candidate: Bastiaan van der Roest)
• Gene flow networks in animals, the food chain and the environment (PhD candidates Jesse Kerkvliet and Wouter Lokhorst)

Disease intervention strategies

• Improving the functional activity of monoclonal antibodies against Gram-negative bacteria (PhD candidate: Julia Esido)