Who is Jeffrey Beekman?
Jeffrey Beekman is a molecular biologist working at UMC Utrecht.
In his research, he primarily focuses on improving personalized treatments for cystic fibrosis.
What does Jeffrey Beekman research?
This research (financially supported in part by Muco & Friends) involves developing new technologies to study CF and its treatment in patient-derived stem cells.
In the laboratory, mini-intestines can be grown, allowing for the study of CF and the development of medications for treating individuals with CF.
Explanation of Jeffrey Beekman's work
Due to a mutation in the CFTR gene, CF develops. Some of these mutations can now be treated with medications. However, most mutations are not yet treatable, particularly rare mutations that occur in about 10-15 percent of people with C
In the laboratory, we can study the effects of these CFTR mutations very effectively. To do this, we grow miniature versions of organs from a small piece of tissue taken from individuals with CF.
In these mini-organs, we can measure CFTR function and determine if medications can repair CFTR function. This process works well. In previous studies, we observed that the effects in the mini-organs align with the disease or treatment of the individual from whom the mini-organs were derived. To investigate new treatments for CF, especially for the rare forms, much research is still needed.
To expedite the research, we aim to acquire a robot that enables us to test larger quantities of medications.
Your assistance will contribute to the development of new treatments for CF, particularly for individuals with rare forms of CF that are not yet treatable.
"Determined to Defeat CF"
Team Beekman
