Sabine de Lange
Research
The placenta acts as a barrier to prevent the transmission of viruses from the mother to the fetus by constantly secreting antimicrobial effector molecules and cytokines, such as type III Interferons (IFN). IFN production is tightly regulated due to its potent effects and is normally only induced upon sensing of nucleic acids during viral infections. For instance, the RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize viral RNA, while the cGAS-STING pathway recognizes viral DNA. Interestingly, in the placenta the IFN pathway is constitutively active in absence of a viral infection. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this sterile IFN response are still poorly understood. We aim to study the IFN response in trophoblasts and to elucidate the receptors, pathways, and ligands that are involved in sterile IFN production in these cells.
Curriculum Vitae
I studied Biomedical Sciences at Leiden University, with a focus on immunology. During my Master program, I did an internship at the Karolinksa Institutet in the group of dr. Helen Kaipe, where I investigated the effect of a FAP inhibitor on cancer-associated fibroblasts and T cells in pancreatic cancer. For my second internship I joined the lab of dr. Arnaud Zaldumbide where I studied cellular signaling via beta cell extracellular vesicles in type 1 diabetes. After obtaining my MSc degree, I started in November 2023 as a PhD candidate in the group of dr. Annemarthe van der Veen.
