Peter L. Hordijk

Academic profile Lines of research: RhoGTPase regulation and -signalling in endothelial cell-cell adhesion and inflammation has been the major theme of my research over the past 20+ years. As a LSBR-fellow (Landsteiner Foundation) and founder and chair of the department of Molecular Cell Biology at Sanquin Research (2000-2015), I focused on signalling that controls leukocyte-endothelial interactions and transendothelial migration, building a successful and internationally recognized line of research. Since 2015, my work continued AmsterdamUMC focusing on the role of Rho GTPase post-translational modifications, mainly ubiquitination, in the regulation of vascular endothelial integrity. My group identified the key ubiquitin ligase that controls degradation of the RhoB GTPase and protects VE-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact and barrier function in quiescent EC. My group collaborates regularly with (clinical) groups on studies of microvascular integrity and –disease. I was appointed full professor at the University of Amsterdam in 2011 and at the Free University (Amsterdam) in 2018. My research is and has been funded by the LSBR, ZonMW and NWO. Supervision of students, academic and non-academic staff: Among the undergraduate and graduate students trained in my lab over the years, there are many that have continued their career in science. My lab alumni include recipients of personal grants in various schemes, including ZonMW-Veni, Vidi and Vici, as well as of LSBR- and Dekker fellowships (personal grants, Dutch Heart Foundation). Several former PhD students have been appointed full professor at Dutch universities. In addition, many former PhD students have continued their career in the (pharmaceutical) industry, within the Netherlands and abroad. My commitment to supporting young researchers is also evident from their position as senior author on publications from my group. This helps them in the competition for personal grants, which is essential in an early career stage. In addition to the supervision of (clinical and pre-clinical) PhD students and postdocs, I mentor, on average, >5 undergraduate students/year (internships, theses etc.) and teach vascular physiology, cardiovascular disease at Amsterdam UMC, VU, and Amsterdam University College. In addition, I’m involved in specific academic training programs of bachelor- and master- as well as PhD-students. Administrative and managerial tasks: (i) PI of research team supervising PhD students, post-docs and junior faculty (1998-present); (ii) Chair of the dept. of Molecular Cell Biology and member of the research board at Sanquin Research (2000-2015); (iii) vice-chair of the dept. of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (2015-present); (iv) Chair of the Animal Experiments Committee (DEC) of the Academic Medical Centre (2015-2020); (v) scientific director of the Animal Research Centre of the VU Amsterdam (2016-2021); (vi) chair of the examination committee of the Faculty of Medicine, VU Amsterdam (2021-present). Membership of scientific boards, editorial boards, and committees: I have been member of the Junior Dekker grant selection committee of the Dutch Heart Foundation (2012-2018); I am currently member of selection boards for talent- and tenure track programs within Amsterdam UMC and for international funding committees. Moreover, I’ve been a member of the editorial board for the Amsterdam UMC Research Code on research ethics and integrity. Finally, I’m program leader of the program ‘Microcirculation’ of the Cardiovascular Research Centre at AmsterdamUMC.