Martijn Luijsterburg is Professor of Transcription and DNA repair at the department of Human Genetics of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) Martijn Luijsterburg is a molecular biologist with a broad background in fundamental cell biology research focused on transcription and genome integrity. He is nationally and internationally recognized in the field of DNA repair, with successful collaborations, prestigious research grants such as Rubicon (2007), Veni (2011), Vidi (2015), Vici (2022), and ERC Consolidator (2022), and publications in leading journals including Nature Cell Biology and Cell. In 2021, he was elected as an EMBO Young Investigator. Luijsterburg has extensive experience in initiating innovative research projects and in translating fundamental insights into clinical applications. His work is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach and strong connections with both academic and clinical partners.

More information about Martijn Luijsterburg

Martijn Luijsterburg is Professor of Transcription and DNA repair at the department of Human Genetics of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)

Martijn Luijsterburg is a molecular biologist with a broad background in fundamental cell biology research focused on transcription and genome integrity. He is nationally and internationally recognized in the field of DNA repair, with successful collaborations, prestigious research grants such as Rubicon (2007), Veni (2011), Vidi (2015), Vici (2022), and ERC Consolidator (2022), and publications in leading journals including Nature Cell Biology and Cell. In 2021, he was elected as an EMBO Young Investigator. Luijsterburg has extensive experience in initiating innovative research projects and in translating fundamental insights into clinical applications. His work is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach and strong connections with both academic and clinical partners.

Molecular processes involved in the recognition and repair of DNA damage during the transcription of genes

Luijsterburg's research focuses on unraveling molecular processes involved in the recognition and repair of DNA damage during the transcription of genes — a process known as transcription. The primary aim of his research is to expand our fundamental knowledge in order to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of rare DNA repair syndromes.

Luijsterburg is a leading researcher in the field of transcription-coupled DNA repair. His work centers on deciphering fundamental molecular mechanisms, with particular attention to rare DNA repair disorders. These include syndromes associated with increased cancer predisposition (xeroderma pigmentosum), neurodegeneration (Cockayne syndrome), or liver and kidney failure (ERCC1 hepatorenal syndrome). He is closely involved in molecular diagnostics and maintains intensive international collaborations with clinical partners.

In addition to his research, Luijsterburg plays an active role in education. He is coordinator of the undergraduate course Medical Genetics, is closely involved in the Molecular Biology course, and supervises students during their research internships. He also contributes to master's and PhD-level courses and mentors early-career researchers in applying for prestigious research grants.

Academic career

Martijn Luijsterburg received his M.Sc. in Medical Biology in 2004 from the Vrije Universiteit (VU) in Amsterdam. He obtained his Ph.D. in Cell Biology in 2008 from the University of Amsterdam (in the group of emeritus Prof. Roel van Driel), based on his thesis entitled Dynamics of Nucleotide Excision Repair Complex Assembly and Disassembly In Vivo.

In 2008, he became a postdoctoral fellow in the group of Prof. Nico Dantuma at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, supported by long-term fellowships from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO-Rubicon) and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). His research at the Karolinska Institute focused on elucidating the role of ubiquitin ligases in DNA double-strand break repair and nucleotide excision repair.

In 2011, he joined the group of Prof. Haico van Attikum at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), supported by long-term fellowships from the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) and NWO (VENI). His research there focused on the role of chromatin remodeling enzymes in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks.

In 2015, Martijn was appointed group leader at the Department of Human Genetics at LUMC, supported by an LUMC Research Fellowship and an NWO-VIDI grant. In 2017, he was appointed tenured assistant professor. In 2021, he was elected EMBO Young Investigator. In 2022, he received both an ERC Consolidator Grant and an NWO-VICI grant, and was promoted to associate professor. In 2025, he was promoted to full professor.

His group investigates mechanisms of transcription-coupled DNA repair using genome-wide genetic, genomic, and proteomic approaches. The goal of the lab is to increase our fundamental understanding of how cells cope with transcription-blocking DNA damage, and how failure of this process can lead to human disease. Martijn serves as an advisor to the Cockayne Syndrome support groups Amy and Friends in the UK and the Riaan Research Initiative in the US.