Kevin Batenburg

PhD student

Contact info

  • Address

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
    Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR)
    Department of Functional Genomics
    W&N building, Room B-459
    De Boelelaan 1085
    1081 HV Amsterdam
    The Netherlands

  • E-mail

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Short CV

2017 – PhD candidate VU University Amsterdam
2013-2016 MSc in Biomedical Sciences University of Amsterdam
2016 Internship Molecular Neuroscience, University of Cambridge
2014 Internship Molecular Cytology, University of Amsterdam
2010‑2013 BSc in Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Amsterdam

Research

Tau aggregation is the major pathophysiological hallmark of neurodegenerative tauopathies for which currently no treatment exists. Current in vitro models of tau aggregation heavily rely on rodent primary neurons in 2D (mono)cultures, which insufficiently mimic neuron-astrocyte interactions in a natural 3D environment, and have limited translational value to human disease. In this collaborative project with Dr. Wiep Scheper (FGA), we develop 2D and 3D human neuron-astrocyte co-cultures compatible with high-content imaging. We employ these human co-culture systems to study the cell (non-)autonomous effects of tau aggregation and identify leads for intervention in a disease-relevant in vitro context. 

Highlighted publications