Jack van Horssen

About

Jack van Horssen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology. Driven by a passion for unraveling the causes of neurodegenerative diseases, his research focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms and pathogenic processes behind the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Jack’s enthusiasm for teaching emerged early in his career and has only grown over the years. He is dedicated to innovative teaching methods and curriculum development. Together with Jori Führen and Sanne Duinkerken, both academic teachers, he coordinates the teaching portfolio of the MCBI department and chairs the MCBI education committee. Since 2018, he has served as the Program Director of the Bachelor of Medicine at VU. He also delivers lectures in histology and cell biology, oversees the histology e-learning practicals, and coordinates a Neurology/Ophthalmology course.

Currently, there are no internship opportunities available.

Key publications

A. Kamermans, M. Rijnsburger, A. Chakraborty, S. van der Pol, H.E. de Vries*, J. van Horssen*. Reduced Angiopoietin-Like 4 Expression in Multiple Sclerosis Lesions Facilitates Lipid Uptake by Phagocytes via Modulation of Lipoprotein-Lipase Activity. *Authors contribute equally. Front Immunol. 2019 May 3;10:950.
C.E. Leurs, P. Podlesniy, R. Trullas, L. Balk, M.D. Steenwijk, A. Malekzadeh, F. Piehl, B.M. Uitdehaag, J. Killestein, J. van Horssen*, C.E. Teunissen*. Cerebrospinal fluid mtDNA concentration is elevated in multiple sclerosis disease and responds to treatment. Mult. Scler. 2018 4:472-480
.G. Nijland, R.J. Molenaar, S.M. van der Pol, P. van der Valk, C.J. van Noorden, H.E. de Vries, J. van Horssen. Differential expression of glucose-metabolizing enzymes in multiple sclerosis lesions. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2015, 1:79
P.G. Nijland, M.E. Witte, B. van Het Hof, S. van der Pol, J. Bauer, H. Lassmann, P. van der Valk, H.E. de Vries, J. van Horssen. Astroglial PGC-1alpha increases mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and suppresses inflammation: implications for multiple sclerosis.Acta Neuropathol. Commun. 2014 1:170
M.E. Witte, P.G. Nijland, J.A. Drexhage, W. Gerritsen, D. Geerts, B. van het Hof, A. Reijerkerk, H.E. de Vries, P. van der Valk, J. van Horssen. Reduced expression of PGC-1alpha partly underlies mitochondrial changes and correlates with neuronal loss in multiple sclerosis cortex. Acta Neuropathol. 2013, 2:231-243