Jasper de Wolf
Research
The innate immune system forms the first line of defense against pathogens. Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) kickstarts the innate immune response. The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) are a group of cytosolic PRRs that detect viral RNA. The activation of RLRs by viral RNA leads to type I or type III interferon production, which in turn signals via the IFN receptor (IFNAR) to increase the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). This creates an environment that limits viral replication and spread, for example by suppressing protein translation and by inducing apoptosis. The type I interferon response is tightly regulated to prevent unwanted, chronic, or excessive activation of this pathway. I am currently studying novel factors involved in such regulatory mechanisms and how they are related to immune pathologies.
Curriculum Vitae
I have recently obtained my Bachelor’s degree (cum laude) at Avans University of Applied Science. During my first internship, I optimized a diagnostic method for the fast identification of bacterial pathogens in collaboration with Molecular Biology Systems, Maastricht University Medical Center, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Avans University. In September 2023, I started my graduation internship at the Department of Immunology at Leiden University Medical Centre. Here, I studied the molecular mechanism underlying the upregulation of a group of small non-coding RNAs (vault RNAs) upon distinct viral infections. After I graduated and received my Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in June 2024, I accepted an offer to continue as research technician in the Department of Immunology. I assist in multiple different projects in the group of Dr. Annemarthe van der Veen.
