Research

We study protein pathways that play a role in synaptic efficiency and neuronal excitability, usually in a pre-clinical context. Currently we focus on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, in the context of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Our group is working at the cross roads of inflammation and neuronal function with molecular, cellular and behavioural approaches in various neuronal disease models. Molecular mechanisms involved in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases are a result of evolutionary processes like all other biological phenomena. Therefore, understanding how these mechanisms may have evolved will eventually lead to a deeper understanding of these processes.

We investigate in depth the function of the cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in neurodegenerative diseases. This pleotropic master cytokine belongs to a large family of molecules, which are able to induce apoptotic cell death but also proliferation and other cellular responses like tissue remodeling. Apoptosis plays an important role in the elimination of infected or transformed cells but also during embryonic development. TNF was found to play a major role in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, stroke or Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but also in depression and many other brain diseases.

My research will explore diversity in vulnerability to neuropsychiatric conditions and responses to therapeutics. Specifically, our research programme aims to identify how and why individual factors (particularly sex) and different environmental conditions (social interactions, access to shelter, food) contribute to neuropsychiatric disease and treatment effectiveness by focusing on specific phenotypes relating to sleep-wake patterns, social interactions, and cognition across species.

The Havekes lab focuses 1) on elucidating the molecular underpinnings of memory storage and its retrieval, and 2) how these processes are debilitated under maladaptive conditions such as sleep deprivation and neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders. In order to systematically investigate how the brain orchestrates specific aspects of memory, we have implemented a combination of behavioral studies with genetic and pharmacological approaches, viral strategies, biochemistry, imaging techniques, optogenetics, and memory engram manipulations.

The research of my group focuses on determinants of behaviour, especially of behavioural strategies and of biological processes that are essential across species and that are affected in various neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., social interaction and sensory information processing). By means of cross-species genetic analysis of neurobehavioral traits (of mice and men) and by applying innovative digital phenotyping methods we aim to identify genotype-phenotype relationships relevant to the development and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. These studies will lead to our understanding of conserved gene function in regulating essential behavioural strategies and will ultimately improve therapeutic and preventive strategies to contribute to healthy aging.

The research of the Meerlo lab focuses on the importance of sleep and the consequences of sleep loss. The work includes: 1) comparative studies on the regulation and function of sleep in different species of mammals and birds; 2) studies on sleep as a recovery process that supports neuronal plasticity and brain function, including memory formation; and 3) studies on the neurobiological and neuroendocrine consequences of chronically disrupted or restricted sleep, with special emphasis on systems that are involved in stress and have been implicated in mood disorders and cognitive disturbances.

My approach to studying the mechanisms for vocal learning and memory uses a combination of song recordings, experimentally controlled song playbacks, in vivo calcium imaging of neural activity, neural manipulations including through pharmacology, and immunohistochemistry. I am interested in the differential roles of the two brain hemispheres for learning and memory, and the mechanisms by which sleep can benefit learning and memory. I am passionate about utilizing the songbird model to address questions related to their unique ability of auditory-vocal learning and manipulations that require fine-scale analysis of behavioural outcomes. Our lab is also collaborating in behavioural, cognitive and neurobiological research in humans, non-vocal learning birds, and mice.

Our translational animal research is focused on the neurodevelopmental outcomes due to early life alterations. Interactions between genes and the environment play an important role in the development of psychopathology. It is our main goal to address the developmental role of serotonin in developing psychopathology later in life and to address the fundamental issues that underlie alterations due to early life events. To do so, we make use of animal models. We study the effects of serotonergic antidepressants used in pregnancy and how this impacts the offspring. Furthermore we study the effects of several early life stressors in animals with an altered serotonergic system (serotonin transporter knockout rats). We also investigate how hearing loss early in life affects social and cognitive performance later in life. Besides our interest in adversity during development, we study behavioral dysfunctions during adulthood. Here we focus on sexual behavior, and try to unravel the underlying mechanisms of male sexual dysfunctions. All research projects study the brain and behaviour, but we also include other factors that influence the development like the placenta and microbiome. Understanding which factors contribute to behavioral disorders will help us to better treat or prevent diseases.

The research performed in the van der Zee-lab aims to better understand how the brain works, and via which ways brain functioning can be improved, especially in case of brain disorders or ageing. Focus is on cognitive performance, including analyses of the hippocampus, striatum and (neo)cortex. However, it is by no means limited to these brain regions.

The research of my group focuses on the Integrative Neurobiology of Energy Balance. Central in this work is how the brain regulates ingestive behavior, digestive processes, fuel fluxes and energy expenditure, but also how it is recipient of information regarding the energy status. Knowing the fundamental underpinnings of these mechanisms allows us to also investigate how internal and external factors can cause derailments in behavior, energy balance and fuel homeostasis, which in turn can impair sustainable health from early programming during the perinatal stage till old age, and how these negative impacts may be prevented or treated.