As of 1 September, Jeroen van Zon has been appointed professor at Leiden University. The title of his chair is Quantitative Developmental Biology. Jeroen will continue heading the research group with the same name at AMOLF.
Quantitative developmental biology
The central aim of the quantitative developmental biology field is to understand how organisms develop by applying a quantitative and physics-based perspective. In practice, this means that the team uses advanced microscopy, neural networks, and mathematical models to follow individual cells over long timescales as they divide, migrate, and specialize into different cell types. Importantly, these processes are studied in the natural context of tissues and organs, allowing the group to probe how cells perform their tasks within a living system. By merging concepts from physics and biology, the research sheds light on how complex developmental patterns and structures emerge from the behavior of individual cells.
New collaborations and teaching
Jeroen sees his appointment in Leiden as an opportunity to expand his collaborations beyond the biophysics environment of AMOLF. He looks forward to establishing new connections in developmental biology, especially with researchers at Leiden’s Institute of Biology (IBL). He already sees strong overlap between the developmental processes studied in Leiden and those investigated in his own group, which creates opportunities for exciting joint projects.
Developing over the years
Jeroen’s scientific career has been shaped by his interest in how cells make decisions and form patterns in the face of strong molecular noise. As a PhD student he developed mathematical models of biological systems, aiming to capture the rules behind cellular decision-making. Over time, his work gradually shifted from pure theoretical modeling towards experimental approaches, in particular advanced microscopy in developmental biology. His research group has since specialized in studying the nematode worm C. elegans as well as various types of organoids, combining quantitative tools with biological questions.
Would you like to read about research highlights in Jeroen’s research group? Then, have a look at the Quantitative Developmental Biology website pages.
