Professor of Host-commensal Interactions and Immune Modulation
Prof. dr. H. (Hermelijn) H. Smits
Area(s) of expertise:
Mucosal immunology, Helminth parasites, Respiratory viruses, Allergic asthma
Mucosal immunology, Helminth parasites, Respiratory viruses, Allergic asthma
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Introduction
I did my PhD-studies at the University of Amsterdam on microbial priming of the human immune system and modulation of allergen-specific immune responses (2003). Next, I did a post-doc in the lab of Prof Lambrecht (currently at VIB, Ghent, Belgium) on microbial priming and protection against allergic airway diseases in different mouse models.
I obtained various personal grants (VENI (2006), VIDI (2014), VICI (2023)) from ZonMW to build my own research group focusing on immune regulation by commensals and their protection against hyperinflammatory disorders and viral infections in the lung. Throughout my career I have received financial support from the Dutch Lung Foundation for several projects, and have been leading the international consortium AWWA (2018-2023) on asthma prevention. I was involved in several EU consortia and the PPP consortium DC4Balance.
I obtained various personal grants (VENI (2006), VIDI (2014), VICI (2023)) from ZonMW to build my own research group focusing on immune regulation by commensals and their protection against hyperinflammatory disorders and viral infections in the lung. Throughout my career I have received financial support from the Dutch Lung Foundation for several projects, and have been leading the international consortium AWWA (2018-2023) on asthma prevention. I was involved in several EU consortia and the PPP consortium DC4Balance.
Scientific research
Changes in lifestyle have dramatically changed our exposure to microbes and may explain the rise in inflammatory diseases, as seen in the past 50 years.
My research includes the role of various commensals or evolutionary ‘old friends’, such as probiotic bacteria, helminths, H. pylori and microbe-rich environments in which the identification of immunomodulatory molecules and their mode of action take central stage. These microbial-based molecules, or the pathways they trigger, form a novel approach for treatment of immune-mediated disorders in the lung, including how is dealt with respiratory viral infections.
To predict the most suitable application, extensive immunophenotyping of inflammatory events is mandatory. Through collaboration with clinicians and bioinformaticians, I’m studying airway tissues and mucosal immune responses through single cell technologies (Cytof, single cell transcriptomics). This will be applied in human challenge studies with allergens, respirator viruses and/or microbial products.
My research includes the role of various commensals or evolutionary ‘old friends’, such as probiotic bacteria, helminths, H. pylori and microbe-rich environments in which the identification of immunomodulatory molecules and their mode of action take central stage. These microbial-based molecules, or the pathways they trigger, form a novel approach for treatment of immune-mediated disorders in the lung, including how is dealt with respiratory viral infections.
To predict the most suitable application, extensive immunophenotyping of inflammatory events is mandatory. Through collaboration with clinicians and bioinformaticians, I’m studying airway tissues and mucosal immune responses through single cell technologies (Cytof, single cell transcriptomics). This will be applied in human challenge studies with allergens, respirator viruses and/or microbial products.
