Prof. Dr. C. (Cees) van Kooten

After a study Biology at the University of Amsterdam and a PhD in immunology at Sanquin, I worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Schering Plough (Lyon, France). Since 1995 I am associated with the department of Nephrology, performing research at the cross road of immunology, nephrology and transplantation. In 2009 I was appointed as full professor. I am heading the immune-nephrology research group within the department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, part of the Einthovenlaboratory. I am part of the management team of the LUMC transplant center, focussing on research and education. I have an active role as teacher/coordinator in the bachelor and master Biomedical Sciences and Medicine and act as chair of the Exam Committee Biomedical Sciences. I have been serving on the board of various national and international societies including the Dutch Society for Immunology (NvvI), the scientific board of the Dutch Kidney Foundation, the Basic Science committee of the European society for transplantation (ESOT) and the Immmuno Nephrology Working group (IWG) of the European Renal Association.

The overall aim of my research is to investigate and monitor immunological processes implicated in various forms of glomerulonephritis including humoral (auto)-immunity and responsible for rejection in renal allografts. These goals are implemented by epidemiological, clinical, histochemical, biochemical and experimental approaches. This research program of fundamental immunology and nephrology is highly integrated with the clinical program of the department and is predominantly focused around the theme of cellular and humoral innate immunity.
Complement activation has been recognized as an important effector arm of the immune system, not only as a defense against pathogens, but also as a pathogenic mechanism for antibody-mediated processes (humoral rejection, IgA-nephropathy, SLE). Interest in complement has strongly increased with the availability of therapeutic agents which can be applied in the clinical setting. This requires an in depth view of the pathways involved in the complement activation.