Scientists from all over the world and from more than 60 disciplines will gather in Leiden next week for the EuroScience Open Forum. With about 500 speakers, it promises to be an inspiring edition. What can you expect? We look ahead with speakers Annette van der Helm and Niels Geijsen.
Professor of Developmental Biology Niels Geijsen and Professor of Rheumatology Annette van der Helm share the latest developments in their research in the session ‘Chronic diseases, prevention and treatment’ on 15 July. Geijsen focuses on the genetic muscle disease Duchenne, and Van der Helm specializes in the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatism. A combination that you would not expect in one session, but that is precisely the intention during ESOF.
It is not strange for both professors to speak in front of an audience that does not consist of colleagues. For example, Geijsen has previously discussed his research with festival visitors, and Van der Helm is used to speaking for patients. According to her, this has its advantages: “Rheumatologists often think along the same lines. People from outside the field have a different perspective, ask out-of-the-box questions and can make you think.”
Molecular scissors
Geijsen has been working on a gene therapy for Duchenne muscle disease for several years now. This genetic disease mainly affects boys. Due to a DNA error, more and more muscles become paralyzed, eventually causing them to die at a young age. “By cutting the error from the DNA with molecular scissors, the so-called CRISPR-Cas technique, we hope to slow down or even stop the disease,” says Geijsen. “With this technique we can permanently change the DNA and repair the error in cells, in theory only one treatment is needed for a long-lasting effect.”
Although still in the future, the first steps to test the new therapy on patients are already being taken. “We are working with colleagues from Neurology and Radiology to see how we can measure the effect of this treatment in patients and how and when in the disease process we can best administer the treatment.” Geijsen explains the latest state of affairs during ESOF.
intervene earlier
Van der Helm focuses on the prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases. In the TREAT EARLIER study, she investigated whether rheumatism can be prevented by starting treatment earlier. This study included patients who did not have rheumatism, but who are predisposed to get it. Currently, treatment is started after the diagnosis of rheumatism has been established. “But actually we are already too late by then, the disease is already chronic,” says Van der Helm. “We investigated the hypothesis that earlier intervention prevents the development of clinical joint inflammation and reduces the burden of disease.” And did that work? “I’m not going to reveal that, of course,” laughs Van der Helm.
Are you curious about the stories and results of Van der Helm and Geijsen? Then sign up for ESOF.