Our projects
Read more about the projects supported by Sanquin Research Fund
Young investigator awards
Computer vision helps detect abnormal blood cells in sickle cell disease
Sanquin Researcher Tess Afanasyeva ran a pilot study using computer vision to analyze the shape of red blood cells in sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder. Understanding these cell shapes better helps doctors diagnose the disease and track how well treatments are working in real time.
Targeting immune cell metabolism to counteract unwanted antibody responses
Rebecca Cornelis, a postdoctoral researcher at Sanquin, is investigating strategies to counteract unwanted antibody responses, which occur in autoimmune diseases, blood transfusions, and biological drug treatments. Her approach focuses on disabling B cells, the antibody-producing cells. When B cells mature, they develop into long-lived plasma cells, which operate at high capacity and reside in the bone marrow, where they are difficult to target with therapeutics. These cells can produce an astonishing 1,000 antibodies per second.
Understanding the role of factor H related proteins in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Researchers at Sanquin have explored the relationship between the concentrations of factor H proteins and various genetic variations. PhD student Bert Veuskens focused on identifying a healthy balance of these proteins. By analyzing the genetic variations and protein concentrations in nearly 200 healthy individuals, he established baseline values that can help detect deviations linked to disease.
Developing a platform for in vivo gene therapy of blood diseases
Despoina Trasanidou is pioneering a platform for in vivo gene therapy of hereditary blood disorders, supported by the Sanquin Research Fund. Building upon Sanquin's established expertise in culturing and genetically modifying hematopoietic stem cells, Despoina is developing a novel method to repair these cells directly within the bone marrow. This elegant approach aims to eliminate the need for pre-transplant chemotherapy, thereby enhancing patient safety.
Do iron levels in the blood differ in different ethnic groups?
It is important for Sanquin to have sufficient blood donors with a non-Western background in order to be able to provide all patients with matching blood. However, these donors are underrepresented and the current requirements for donating are not always suitable for this group, as they are based on donors of Western origin.
Amber Meulenbeld wants to focus specifically on the criteria related to iron. For example, it could be that certain ethnic groups have lower Hb levels, without an iron deficiency. Some blood banks abroad already apply a different lower limit for Hb for different population groups. Should we also introduce that policy in the Netherlands?
With a contribution from the Sanquin Research Fund, Amber is studying the ferritin levels (a measure of the iron stores) of various ethnic groups in 1800 samples from a biobank of the Amsterdam UMC. The Hb level had already been measured. If it turns out that people with lower Hb levels do have normal ferritin levels, this could mean that there are indeed biological variations in Hb levels between different population groups, while the iron supply is up to standard.
In addition, Amber is also investigating in this cohort whether socio-economic factors play a role in iron levels, which can lead to limited access to healthy, iron-rich food, for example.
After analyzing the data, it will become more clear whether a lower Hb level is the result of biological variations between the ethnic groups and is therefore simply on a healthy level, and whether socio-economic factors play a role.
This research is important to ensure that people with a non-Western background are not unnecessarily deferred from donating blood, in order to ensure the best possible blood supply for all patients.
Lymph node model to investigate unwanted antibody reactions
Antibodies protect us against pathogenic microorganisms. However, our immune system sometimes produces unwanted antibodies, as seen in autoimmune diseases, blood transfusions, and reactions to biological medicines. PhD candidate Laura Fernandez is investigating the mechanisms behind this unwanted antibody production, aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Research projects
Til therapy for children with neuroblastoma
The relatively old TIL therapy has been shown to be effective in the fight against skin cancer and a number of other types of cancer. Sanquin is now investigating, together with the Princess Máxima Center, whether TIL therapy also works for the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. A major challenge because the immune system of children functions differently from that of adults.
Novel gene therapies for hereditary anemia
Sanquin, in collaboration with the Hubrecht Institute, has developed several innovative gene therapies for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. These inherited conditions result in severe anemia and other serious, life-threatening complications, affecting approximately 2,000 patients in the Netherlands.
Suppressing rejection of kidney transplant with own immune cells
Brenda Raud, from the research group of Derk Amsen, is investigating how genetically modified immune cells can be used to prevent rejection of kidney transplants.