• Professor of clinical and experimental anatomy at the Leiden University Medical Center • Coordinator first year Medicine • Chairman Anatomical Museum Committee, LUMC • Chairman Technology Enhanced Learning group, LUMC

More information about Marcus de Ruiter

Anatomy

Three-dimensional knowledge of the human body is a prerequisite for every (bio)medical. Anatomy teaching is part of various Leiden University studies (medicine, biomedical sciences and clinical technology).

Daily task is to organize teachings in anatomy, embryology and histology. The curriculum are based on the blended learning concept and developed in close relation with the clinicians. Augmented reality tools based on 3D models are developed by our group to apply anatomical knowledge in daily practice.

Our research aim is to understand clinically relevant congenital cardiovascular disorders from a developmental point of view to improve diagnostics and to identify preventive measures and potential points of application for medical therapy. With the current group of PhD students we focus on the bicuspid aortic valve, a heart valve with only two leaflets instead of three. Bicuspid aortic valve may remain asymptomatic, but in a significant proportion of patients stenotic and/or ascending aortic aneurysm contribute to important morbidity and mortality.  It is currently largely unknown which markers predict adverse outcome in patients with bicuspid aortic valves. A second focus is the development of the cardiac conduction system as related to the occurrence of clinical arrhythmias. This knowledge will help to individualize current treatment protocols.

Academic career

Professor of Clinical and Experimental Anatomy
from 2010
Associate Professor
2004-2010
Assistant Professor
1992-2004
Post-Doc: “Haemodynamic interference followed by morphologic evaluation”
1991-1992
PhD graduation: Thesis entitled “Development of the vascular system in the embryo. A concept of the origin of systemic-pulmonary collateral arteries”.
Leiden May 20th, 1992
Master of Science in Biology, specialization Medical Biology. Leiden University, 1987.