Viktor Al-Naqib

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, constantly surveil the brain’s parenchyma, responding to cues in irregular neuronal activity and metabolic stress. In this project, we aim to investigate the interactions between microglia and neurons using newly designed photochemical ligands, to enable targeting of the subcellular structures where microglia and neurons interface. Our interest lies in uncovering the fundamental biology of these interactions, as well as in investigating the role of microglia-neuron interactions in multiple sclerosis. This project, in prof. dr. Kole’s group based at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN–KNAW) is part of a new collaboration between the groups of Dr. Sander van Kasteren (ICI, Leiden) and Prof. Elga de Vries (Amsterdam UMC, location VuMC).