Kees van Bergen

Background

About Kees van Bergen

The B-cell and it's antigen receptor is a fascinating cell: while born rather ignorant, upon stimulation with antigen the receptor is modified until it is truly specific. The B cell then relocates to the bone marrow and produces the antibodies that defend us against invaders. Follicular lymphoma is a cancer of B cells that seem to be stuck in the process of receptor modification, and this B cell shares many properties with it's normal counterpart. It is intriguing to think that mechanisms that regulate normal B-cell development also play a role in progression of follicular lymphoma. We are trying to unravel the role of these processes, which eventually provides opportunities to improve treatment of patients who suffer from this disease. Specialties: B cells, T cells, immunology, microarray analysis, whole genome association analysis, follicular lymphoma, next generation sequencing, B cell receptor, neoantigens