MY STORY
You are probably wondering who I am and why my research is important. Well, I am a bridge builder. I am building bridges that connect genomic technology and routine patients care. And it is not an easy job... sometimes to get attention you need to throw the first stone, far far away, to the other side. It can be recognized as an alien attack and not a bridge ancor. So it is not easy, but when you add a seed of enthousiasme to it, you may manage to begin a nice bridge.
At first it is unstable like a small wooden pad, but when you care it will become a firm stone bridge that can carry a lot and it is not easy to put down. It is necessary to stand on this bridge for a while to make sure the traffic goes both ways and there are not too many car crashes... and they are almost every week, believe me, learn from it and do not build barriers. You also have to remember that the stone thrown to your side can be used as a bridge anker, so not every stone is an attack of aliens. The nicest moment comes when it all "works" and you can sit at the bridge egde and watch the traffic undisturbed every day.
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So the one that know me a little, know how happy I am seeing prenatal chromosomal microarray in routine diagnostic procedure in pregnancies undergoing invasive prenatal testing at our Medical University powered by exellent cooperation of 4 disciplines (fetal medicine, genetic laboratory, genetic counseling and psychology).
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Is my job finished? Not at all. There are many more bridges to build as they are many more patients that can be helped. So I continuously keep throwing stones and seeds of enthusiasm here and there. There are still many small and big bridges to build. I am often seen as a invasive and loud individual, stubborn keeping making something that not many cannot recognize before it is done. The one dancing at the lunch break, but running through the corridors always in a hurry. The stalker who asks difficult questions and makes politically incorrect comments... doubting current standards and challenging the one who knows better.
But the one who know me well, see the bridge builder in me. You just have to dare to ask the question, set the goal and remember: one step forward, two backwards, one forward is not a failure, it is cha cha cha.
If you got curious where the next brigde will lead you, keep visiting my page. I have only one warning... this page may never be completed and you may see something you do not expect.
All knowledge is connected
to all other knowledge.
The fun is in making the connections.
Arthur C. Aufderheide
(1922 – 2013, palaeopathologist and expert on dissecting mummies)
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
High resolution genetic testing in pregnancy
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Goal: For a very long time karyotyping was the only whole genome genetic test that was possible in pregnancy. With the recent rapid development and improvement of various techniques such as microarray, next generation sequencing, ultrasound imaging and genetic non-invasive prenatal testing more clinical research became possible. However what is technically available is not always directly clinically possible. Therefore not only a continuous development of techniques is challenging, but also implementation in clinical settings. Our multidisciplinary group covers all aspects of high resolution testing in pregnancy from making rapid testing possible and allowing informed choices to translating the results to patients and supporting decisions.
Why we think the developments of the early diagnosis are important? The possibility of early diagnostics means the possibility of early interventions in pregnancy and after birth.
Anyone interested in this topic is welcome to see what we have done so far or contact our group members. We are also looking forward to new national and international collaborations.
Cytogenomic analysis in tumor cfDNA
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Goal: The technological progress is amazing! Did you know that requesting a non-invasive prenatal test you will be able to diagnose malignancy? cfDNA screening and diagnostics is likely to enter the clinical practice and have even more impact on the health monitoring than in prenatal screening. Tumor cytogenomic analysis has always been challenging because of the tumor heterogeneity and difficulties in cell culture, however since chromosomal microarrays are available and whole genome cytogenomic analysis in cfDNA became possible more insights can be gain. This new project has an important goal: to gain more insight into cytogenomic aberrations in patients suffering from cancer disease to be able to improve disease monitoring and screening in the near future.
NEW - Project in progress: ORIGAMI
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Keep visiting to discover what we are going to do in the near future.
OTHER (non-profit) ACTIVITIES
Latin lunch at Erasmus MC
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Goal: Take a break during your busy day!
When your brain is working at high speed, it is good to take a high quality break. You will be more productive if you let your brain relax. And the best way to keep your body and mind healthy is dancing. Activity that is proven to improve neurological disorders and prevent aging (see American Journal of Dance Therapy).
Am I a dance teacher? Hell no! But I am the ignition of the Latin lunch, giving small workshops and enjoying dancing with colleagues. It is just great to practice and improve together. Of course, we help beginners to set the basic steps, it is so much fun to spread the dance virus and see people enjoying it. Latin lunch is to have fun and make connections.
Holenderski jest latwy
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Goal: Motivate Polish immigrants to learn Dutch
If you are going to build anything you need a language to communicate. I am an immigrant myself and also during studying abroad I discovered how important it is to speak the language of the country you live in. Even if you are not planning to stay long, live makes their own plans and "suddenly" you may discover that you live in a country 10 years still not speaking the language. My strong advice is - always try to learn the foreign language. Even if you are somewhere for a few month. It is not only a great exercise for your brain, but it also breaks ice while making new contacts. So, some years ago I started a Facebook page "Holenderski jest Latwy" for Polish people who live in the Netherlands to motivate them to learn Dutch. Still enjoying writing new posts.