Genetics

Knowledge on genes and inherited disease is exploding. Applications of genetics penetrate everywhere in medical practice. I am happy to be part of LUMC, where the integration of genetics into the clinic is well advanced. Since genetics is progressing over a broad range, we have to focus on a limited number of subjects, which are: cancer (breast, colon, melanoma), muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, neurodegenerative disorders, psychological aspects of genetic counselling, growth disorders. I have to thank the Dutch Kidney Foundation for funding my scientific career by their prolonged support of the research into the genetics of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease that I started at Leiden in 1984. The location of the PKD1 gene on chromosome 16 led to several projects aimed at diseases caused by genes on that chromosome. Having been trained in clinical genetics at Rotterdam in parallel to my research at Leiden, I now try to be a physician scientist role model for students and young doctors.

The title of his inaugural lecture was 'Geneeskunde, genetica en het toeval'.

Publications