Marjolein van Driel - Bone Group

Since graduating from Maastricht University (Health Sciences), my scientific career has a focus on the human bone micro-environment. This evolved from my doctoral research at Utrecht University (2000) on CD44 variant exons in Multiple Myeloma to my postdoctoral work on hormonal regulation of osteoblasts by vitamin D (Laboratory for Calcium and Bone metabolism, sector of Endocrinology, department of Internal medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam).
My current research as assistant professor (2015) in this lab is directed towards exploring how the bone micro-environment acts as a critical regulator of cancer progression. My group investigates the ‘vicious cycle’ of bone and cancer crosstalk, aiming to identify novel therapeutic options to prevent incurable bone metastases. I have evolved my cell culture expertise into a dedicated effort to develop human-based in vitro systems to replace, reduce, and refine animal models. I am a member of the MKMD (Meer Kennis met Minder Dieren) committee of ZonMw and currently involved in founding a local Rotterdam TPI (Transitie Proefdiervrije Innovatie) as part of the governmental partner program.
Utilizing our developed human models, I lead projects that span from unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bone invasion to direct screening of therapeutic compounds. Primary research involves the critical shift from dormancy to awakening and colonization of prostate cancer cells in the bone micro-environment, the influence of nanosized extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer – bone cell communication and the working mechanism of vitamin D in bone metastases.
Through my collaboration with Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), I am pioneering the valorization of agricultural waste for medical applications in bone metastases. Additionally, I have integrated our human bone metastatic disease models into high throughput screening pipelines, utilizing the Dutch Extract Library to identify potential therapeutic agents from plant extracts and the Prestwick Chemical Library for drug repurposing. Screening of plant extracts for therapeutic use has received the public award of the top sector of Horticulture and starting materials (2023). Together with Maastricht University and the department of Respiratory medicine (Erasmus MC), my team investigates bone-related markers on extracellular vesicles in plasma of lung cancer patients, aiming to identify biomarkers that can predict the onset of bone metastases.
In my educational role, I teach bone physiology and (pathologic) bone histology to medical bachelor students at Erasmus MC, I deliver guest lectures on innovative treatment strategies for bone metastases at RUAS, and guide master and bachelor students during their internships in the lab.

Links:

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/marjolein-van-driel-3364a15
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marjolein-Driel/research