Liseanne van t Hof

Research

From 2013 onwards, I have been studying at the LUMC as a bachelor student in Biomedical Sciences and later as a master student in both Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. After obtaining both degrees, I received the MD-PhD grant to continue as a PhD candidate in the field of Reproductive Immunology. The unique maternal-fetal immune interactions during pregnancy are intriguing and I am passionate to contribute to this field by performing translational research.

During my first master’s internship, we investigated the relationship between expression of immune checkpoint inhibitory ligands and the complication of preeclampsia in term placenta of oocyte donation pregnancies. I continued with  a second project on maternal-fetal HLA compatibility in uncomplicated and preeclamptic naturally conceived pregnancies. Together with my colleagues, I will proceed with both subjects during my current PhD training, to further explore the impact of changes in immune checkpoint inhibition and maternal-fetal HLA compatibility on pregnancy outcome. I hope to contribute to elucidating to what extent these immunological mechanisms are essential for a healthy human pregnancy and thus, how we can help to prevent and treat pregnancy complications.

Curriculum vitae

After obtaining my bachelor degree in Biomedical Sciences at Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center, I was admitted to the pre-masterprogram Medicine. Thereafter, I combined the master programs of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine and graduated from both in 2022. In May 2022, I started my PhD training at the department of Immunology and the department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Leiden University Medical Center under the guidance of prof. dr. J.G. Borst, dr. M. Eikmans and dr. M.L.P. van der Hoorn.