Reina Mebius Group members

Amélie Bos (PhD student)
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are characterized by the presence of auto-antibodies. However, the role of these auto-antibodies within pathology remains unclear. Therefore the aim of my PhD is to understand the mechanism by which these antibodies are produced and whether they contribute to IBD pathology. Email:

Estefany Burniol Ruiz (PhD student)
Peripheral blood Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) from Crohn's patients are phenotypically different when compared to healthy individuals. The aim of my project is to develop a peripheral blood test which can distinguish Crohn's patients from healthy individuals, with the use of ILCs and novel techniques, such as mass cytometry and RNAseq. Email:

Martje Erkelens (PhD student)
Retinoic acid plays an important role in maintaining tolerance in the intestine; however, it is notoriously hard to visualize. In my research, we aim to develop new methods to visualize retinoic acid and its metabolic pathways in order to further elucidate how immune homeostasis is maintained in the intestine.

Eelco Keuning (lead technician)
My task at the department of MCBI is to coordinate and, where possible, support in vivo experiments. In addition, I am the deputy laboratory manager and in that role my focus is on quality.

Tanja Konijn (research technician)
As a research technician with broad expertise in a.o. histochemistry, flow cytometry and cell culture,  I support all members in the group of Reina Mebius with their daily work. My main focus is flow cytometry and cell sorting since I also work as an operator assistant at the O2Flow core facility.  E-mail:

Dr. Jasper Koning (postdoctoral researcher)
In my research I focus on the development and regulation of immune micro-environments generated by lymph node stromal cells. Using single cell sequencing, flow cytometry and 3D histology I aim to identify all the stromal cellular components to study cell differentiation and lineage relationships as well as their spatial orientation. Email:

Reza Nadafi (PhD student)
Lymph nodes stromal cells (LNSC) play a critical role in the induction of immune responses by promoting the interaction between antigen-presenting cells and antigen-reactive lymphocytes. My research mainly focus on role of LNSC in the development of T-cell mediated B-cell responses in steady state and inflammation. Email:

Dr. Toon Zwiers (senior research technician)
Genetics and mucosal immunology with a focus on Chronic inflammatory bowel disorders. Celiac Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis
How can a mutation in the IL12A region links this his gene to susceptibility for Celiac Disease?
In search for the final mutational drivers that defines progress from the pre-cancerous  into the cancerous stage of Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL).