dr. S. (Sebo) Withoff

I investigate how someone's genetic background (DNA) and non-coding RNA molecules (micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)) contribute to the chance of developing a complex genetic, immune-mediated disease such as Celiac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

I predominantly use patientmaterial and celllines as disease models, which I manipulate and investigate using the latest 'genomics technologies' like for example CRISPR/Cas9, SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) arrays, single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell ATACseq, and oLINK targeted proteomics.

Recently I focus on the development of organ-on-chip platforms. I reprogram patient-derived cells into induced pluriptent stem cells (iPSCs) which in turn I differentiate into intestinal barrier cells, immune cells, bloodvessel cells, or liver cells. The microfluidic intestine-on-chip or liver-on-chip systems that I develop are currently the most promising modelsystems for personalized medicine and pharmacogenetics  applications and research questions because the cells were originally obtained from patients meaning that the genetic background underlying the disease is present.