Personal profile
Research interests
Switching genes on or off and keeping them in that state involves packaging of the genome by wrapping it around histone proteins. Histones cary different chemical modifications that affect the packaging of DNA by epigenetic mechanisms. The Van Leeuwen lab, located at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, studies mechanisms and principles of epigenetic regulation using innovative proteomic, genetic, and genomics approaches.
Our current work focuses on
- developing novel barcode technologies to decode the fundamental principles of epigenetic regulation in yeast and human cells
- understanding the role of epigenetics in the immune system, with special interest in the histone methyltransferase DOT1L in differentiation and function in B and T cells in mouse models,
More information about our research, lab, and publications, see:
www.medischebiologie.nl/van-leeuwen-group/
www.nki.nl/divisions/gene-regulation/van-leeuwen-fr-group/
Specialisation
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Location, conservation and biosynthesis of J, an unusual DNA base in African trypanosomes. , Netherlands Cancer Institute
Award Date: 7 May 1998
External positions
Senior Group Leader, Netherlands Cancer Institute
Group Leader, Netherlands Cancer Institute
… → 2019
AVL Fellow, Netherlands Cancer Institute
… → 2010
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Histone methyltransferase DOT1L differentially affects the development of dendritic cell subsets
Bouma, R. G., De Leeuw, W. J., Wang, A. Z., Malik, M., Stolwijk, J. G., Konijn, V. A., Mensink, A., Proost, N., Nijen Twilhaar, M. K., Van Welsem, T., Toutounchi, N. S., Affandi, A. J., Van Dinter, J. T., Van Leeuwen, F. & Den Haan, J. M., Jun 2026, In: Life Science Alliance. 9, 6, e202603624.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access -
Cholesterol biosynthesis as a drug-induced vulnerability in diffuse large B cell lymphoma insensitive to EZH2 inhibition
Niccolai, R., Göbel, C., Ndoj, K., Kreft, M., Kuiken, H. J., Lieftink, C., Morris, B., Yska, S. D., Hendrix, S., van den Broek, B., Pappalardo, V., Kersten, M. J., Beijersbergen, R. L., Zelcer, N., van Leeuwen, F. & Jacobs, H., 1 Dec 2025, In: Neoplasia (United States). 70, 101243.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile21 Downloads (Pure) -
Histone methyltransferase DOT1L maintains cell state and restricts cytotoxic potential of CD8 T cells
Malik, M., de Leeuw, W.-J., Aslam, M. A., Kwesi-Maliepaard, E. M., van den Brand, T., van den Broek, B., Kempers, M., Hoekman, L., Proost, N., van Welsem, T., Bąbała, N., Frijlink, E., de Wit, E., Borst, J., Jacobs, H. & van Leeuwen, F., 12 Dec 2025, In: Science advances. 11, 50, p. eadw1289 eadw1289.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile29 Downloads (Pure) -
Should I stay or should I go: TFIIIC as assembly factor and barrier in RNA polymerase III transcription
Seifert-Davila, W., van Breugel, M. E., van Leeuwen, F. & Müller, C. W., 1 Aug 2025, In: Biochemical Society transactions. 53, 4, p. 925-934 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile24 Downloads (Pure) -
Targeting DOT1L and EZH2 synergizes in breaking the germinal center identity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Göbel, C., Niccolai, R., de Groot, M. H. P., Jayachandran, J., Traets, J., Kloosterman, D. J., Gregoricchio, S., Morris, B., Kreft, M., Song, J.-Y., Azarang, L., Kasa, E., Oskam, N., de Groot, D., Hoekman, L., Bleijerveld, O. B., Kersten, M. J., Aslam, M. A., van Leeuwen, F. & Jacobs, H., 17 Apr 2025, In: Blood. 145, 16, p. 1802-1813 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access