Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Netherlands
fellow
Marjon de Vos
2022-2023
Home institution
University of Groningen
Country of origin (home institution)
Netherlands
Discipline(s)
Biology
Medicine
Theme(s)
Behavior & Cognition
Environment, Sustainability & Biodiversity
Health
Fellowship dates
›
Biography
Marjon is a L'Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science Fellow at NIAS during 2022-2023.
I am an assistant professor at GELIFES at University of Groningen (The Netherlands) where I investigate the ecology and evolution of bacteria derived from polymicrobial (infectious) ecosystems, and antibiotic resistance.
I teach and coordinate part of the BSc and MSc courses on Evolutionary Medicine and Microbiome.
Additionally, I am vice-chair of The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development core committee on Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Resistance, Fellow of the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, and member of the International Advisory Board for The Lancet Microbe.
Research Project
Urinary tract infections – through the eco-evolutionary looking glass
Annually, several hundred million persons (mainly women) suffer from a urinary tract infection. In the case of UTI, it has long gone unnoticed that multiple microbial species may play a role in the development of disease.
Yet, the instant, ecological, interactions between microbes can alter the severity of infections and complicate antibiotic treatments. Additionally, microbial interactions can shape the evolutionary potential of pathogens in the long run. It is my purpose to close this knowledge gap by studying the ecology and evolution of UTIs from an Evolutionary Medicine perspective, in which I aim to overcome the fundamental-clinical divide.
Fundamental knowledge on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases can increase our understanding of the emergence of pathogens, and promote the development of novel interventions and treatment options, which are crucially needed because of the impending rise of antibiotic resistance.
Key aims of the project: 1) Organize an international Lorentz workshop on Microbial Evolutionary Medicine, with a focus on selective pressures due to social dynamics, from a microbe and host perspective. 2) Think and write: finish three research papers, 3) Think and write: further develop future research vision.
Research Interests:
Microbial ecology and infectious disease; Evolutionary medicine and antibiotic resistance; Pathogen interactions and treatment strategies