Dr. Geert Poelmans, M.D., Ph.D. Phone:0031 6 303 45 956 Fax:-

 

Institute presentation

Within the MATRICS project, the main task of Drug Target ID (DTID) is to build a molecular landscape for conduct disorder. DTID is an SME that was founded by Dr. Geert Poelmans (Radboud University and Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and Professor Gerard Martens (Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). We have developed a highly novel and unique ‘molecular landscape building approach’ that is unbiased: we apply bioinformatics (gene enrichment and protein-protein interaction tools) as well as extensive systematic literature analyses to the top findings from several types of genetic studies.
These studies include candidate gene association studies, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and (genome-wide) sequencing studies, copy number variation (CNV) studies, mRNA/protein expression studies, and studies on (genetic) animal models. Thus far, we have successfully applied our approach to the neurodevelopmental disorders dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), motor coordination problems, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

We have also applied/are currently applying the same approach to several other complex genetic disorders, including additional neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myotonic dystrophy.  Moreover, we have applied our approach to complex non-neurological disorders, such as congenital anomalies of the  kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and cleft lip/palate (CL/P).

Recently, we have also started building molecular landscapes for acute lymphatic leukemia and breast cancer, in collaboration with the Radboud University Medical Center. In addition, we have ongoing research collaborations with Harvard Medical School (USA) and the universities of Cambridge (UK) and Leuven (Belgium).