Clinical research
Latest update: 27-05-2017
Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy [LHON] is a rare mitochondrial disease which causes acute or subacute bilateral central loss of vision within a period of a few months. It usually occurs between the age of 15 and 30 years old and leaves patients visually impaired or even blind.
Latest update: 14-08-2016
MELAS syndrome (Mitochondrial encephalomypathy, lactic acidosis, and stoke-like episodes) is one of the most occurring mitochondrial metabolic diseases. Mitochondria are the power plants of the cells to provide cellular energy. It can develop at any age and is associated with severe neurological defects, like epilepsy, dementia, migraine or psychiatric problems. Other defects (incl. cardiac failure, renal failure, diabetes, loss of hearing) often occur as well.
Latest update: 02-08-2016
MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) is one of the major disease targets of Mi2Cure. MELAS, which is caused by defects in the mitochondria, can develop at any age and is associated with severe neurological defects, like epilepsy, dementia, migraine or psychiatric problems. Other defects (incl. cardiac failure, renal failure, diabetes, loss of hearing) often occur as well.
Laboratory research
Latest update: 03-05-2017
On 29th of March 2017 Marike van Gisbergen defended her doctoral thesis at the University of Maastricht entitled ’Mitochondria in a personalized cancer treatment’ approach’, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. P. Lambin, Dr. L. Dubois and Dr. A. Voets. Currently cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases. Effective treatment of malignant cells is dependent on the tolerability of normal tissues and its effectiveness to fight the malignant tissue.
Latest update: 22-02-2017
A genetic defect in a gene required for energy production or muscle function can result in progressive myopathy and exercise intolerance. Muscle stem cells called pericytes fulfill all criteria to be used as cell therapy to improve muscle mass and strength.
Latest update: 23-09-2016
Mutations in mitochondrial genes can lead to mitochondrial optic neuropathies, such as LHON and DOA. These diseases are characterized by degeneration of the optic nerve, which often appears at young age and eventually leads to blindness. A therapy is desperately needed.
Latest update: 02-08-2016
Mi2Cure is leading in biochemical analyses of mitochondrial functionality in cells and tissues of patients. This expertise is built upon a long history in the Erasmus MC (>40 years), initially initiated at the Dept. of Biochemistry, currently embedded in the Dept. of Clinical Genetics.
Latest update: 02-08-2016
MNGIE is an inherited mitochondrial disease, characterized by devastating neurological and intestinal symptoms. There is no curative therapy for these patients. We have developed therapeutic lentiviral vectors to genetically engineer autologous stem cells, to restore production of a defective enzyme (thymidine phosphorylase (TP)). This normalizes the biochemical imbalances in MNGIE mice. We expect that this strategy will provide a curative approach to treat MNGIE patients, and will form the basis to treat other mitochondrial and neuromuscular disorders.
Research