Human Genetics of Host-Microbe Interactions

We perform genetic studies in patients who suffer from severe infectious diseases. Our research sheds light on how their individual genetic makeup predisposes them to specific infections. Understanding this predisposition at the molecular level allows us to identify innovative and personalized strategies to prevent or treat infectious diseases. 

 

We apply human genetics as a compass to clarify
human-specific host-microbe interactions 

 

We unravel host-pathogen interactions at the molecular, cellular, tissue and whole-organism levels by integrating cutting-edge human genetic strategies with in-depth functional studies. Our sophisticated human genetic analyses are the starting point of our journey. Our advanced experimental studies provide the evidence to establish causality.

​

We work as a multidisciplinary team 

 

The members of the Spaan lab have multidisciplinary expertise, ranging from clinical and basic microbiology and immunology to human genetics and proteomics. We are embedded in the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, in the Netherlands. We are highly internationally oriented.