Profile photo Jeffrey Beekman

Jeffrey Beekman

Full Professor

Biography

Dr. J.M. Beekman obtained a PhD in molecular immunology in 2004, and performed multiple post docs in molecular and cell biology within various immunological settings. In October 2010, he became principle investigator at the UMC Utrecht, and started a novel translational research line focusing on developing novel therapeutic strategies for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease characterized by aberrant ion and fluid homeostasis at mucosal surfaces leading to chronic infection and inflammation and early death around the 3rd to 4th decade of life.

 

‘People with chronic diseases living healthy lives: I strive to create breakthrough solutions for clinical needs of people with chronic diseases by scientific research that focuses on the development of novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. This requires a multidisciplinary approach in which basic and clinical research is aligned, and integrated with needs of patients, the private sector and regulatory authorities. Currently, I am particularly proud of leading a team that developed a highly innovative diagnostic assay that enables individualized therapy for people with cystic fibrosis that lead to direct clinical impact for people within 4 years after the initial discovery.’

Research groups

Cellular disease models

Research aim

To develop patient-derived cell models to understand the molecular mechanisms of disease, to identify and validate targets for treatment, and to develop drugs and precision medicine applications.
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Pediatric pulmonology

Research aim

We unravel biological, clinical and psychosocial aspects of lung diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and oncology to continuously improve diagnosis and treatment by implementing latest scientific insights into clinical care.
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Recent publications

OrgaSegment Juliet W Lefferts, Suzanne Kroes, Matthew B Smith, Paul J Niemöller, Natascha D A Nieuwenhuijze, Heleen N Sonneveld van Kooten, Cornelis K van der Ent, Jeffrey M Beekman, Sam F B van Beuningen
Communications biology, 2024, vol. 7
In vitro human cell-based models Matthias P. Lutolf, Milica Radisic, Jeffrey Beekman, Dan Dongeun Huh, Meritxell Huch, Margherita Yayoi Turco, Zeinab Niloofar Tahmasebi Birgani, Dong Gao, Rui Yao, Hang Lin, Takanori Takebe
Trends in biotechnology, 2024, vol. 187, p.4439-4443
CFTR and colorectal cancer susceptibility S Spelier, S Derksen, R Hofland, J M Beekman, B Yetkin-Arik
Trends in Cancer, 2024, vol. 10, p.876-879
Colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in human-derived colonic epithelium Paul B. Stege, Jeffrey M. Beekman, Antoni P.A. Hendrickx, Laura Van Eijk, Malbert R.C. Rogers, Sylvia W.F. Suen, Annelotte M. Vonk, Rob J.L. Willems, Fernanda L. Paganelli
FEMS Microbes, 2024, vol. 5
Centralized intestinal organoid generation is a feasible and safe approach for personalized medicine as demonstrated in the HIT-CF Europe Organoid Study Marlou C Bierlaagh, Peter van Mourik, Annelotte M Vonk, Johanna Pott, Danya Muilwijk, Gitte Berkers, Bente L Aalbers, Frank P Vleggaar, Sabine Michel, Sylvia F Boj, Robert G J Vries, Jeffrey M Beekman, Cornelis K van der Ent,
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 2024, vol. 23, p.703-706
Repeatability and reproducibility of the Forskolin-induced swelling (FIS) assay on intestinal organoids from people with Cystic Fibrosis Marlou C. Bierlaagh, Anabela S. Ramalho, Iris A.L. Silva, Annelotte M. Vonk, Rutger M. van den Bor, Peter van Mourik, Johanna Pott, Sylvia W.F. Suen, Sylvia F. Boj, Robert G.J. Vries, Elise Lammertyn, François Vermeulen, Margarida D. Amaral, Kris de Boeck, Cornelis K. van der Ent, Jeffrey M. Beekman
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 2024, vol. 23, p.693-702

External positions

Professor Cellulaire Ziektemodellen - Sporadische activiteiten als consultant voor FAIR therapeutics - FAIR Therapeutics

Board member - Organisatie congres en activiteiten van de Dutch Society for Stem Cell Research - Dutch Society for Stem Cell Research