Annieck Diks

RESEARCH

In our group we are interested in understanding the human immune response generated upon vaccination. Of special interest is the vaccine that protects against Bordetella Pertussis (Bp), the pathogen responsible for whooping cough (Dutch: Kinkhoest). As part of the international PERISCOPE Consortium we aim to understand the immune response generated by vaccination against Bp and how this differs from the immune response generated after (controlled) infection. To understand this immune response, we monitor the kinetics of a broad range of circulating immune cells (both innate and adaptive). Furthermore, we use single cell approaches to unravel the selection and maturation of B-cell receptors during the active immune response. By increasing the understanding of cellular kinetics during active immune responses we aim to contribute to and ease future vaccine development.

CURRICULUM VITAE

I studied Biotechnology at Wageningen University & Research (The Netherlands). After receiving my BSc. degree in 2013, I continued with my master’s in Biotechnology, specializing in medical biotechnology. Both BSc and MSc theses were performed at the Laboratory for Monoclonal Antibodies, part of the Laboratory of Nematology (Wageningen, The Netherlands). My master internship was performed at Genmab (Utrecht, The Netherlands), where I joined the Antibody Science Cluster for 6 months. In 2017, shortly after receiving my MSc. degree, I started as a PhD candidate in the Immune Monitoring group at the department of Immunology. In addition to my position in the LUMC, I have been an external PhD candidate in the VUmc Alzheimer Centre since May 2018. Here, I work together with dr. H. Holstege to investigate the immune system of individuals carrying a mutation that correlates with decreased risk of developing certain types of dementia.