Professor by special appointment Jeroen van Zon joins the Institute of Biology
As of 1 September, Jeroen van Zon started as professor by special appointment in Quantitative Developmental Biology at the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). Van Zon is also group leader of Quantitative Developmental Biology at the physics research institute AMOLF. Three questions about his new role.
What does this professorship involve?
‘The title of my position is “Quantitative Developmental Biology”. In simple terms, this means we aim to understand how organisms develop, for example, the roundworm C. elegans or the human gut, by looking at these processes through a quantitative, physics-based lens. We use techniques like advanced microscopy, neural networks and mathematical models to closely track just a few cells over time, as they divide, move around, and choose their future role in the body. Importantly, we do this while the cells are still in their natural environment, the tissues and organs where they carry out their function.’
What are your goals?
‘AMOLF is very much rooted in physics, and most of my colleagues there are biophysicists. That’s why I’m really looking forward to building new connections in biology through this professorship. I also see a lot of overlap between the developmental processes and model organisms being studied at the IBL and the research we’re doing in my own group. So I can already imagine plenty of exciting opportunities to collaborate.
I also really enjoy teaching biology students how to use quantitative and biophysical approaches to understand biological mechanisms. At the same time, I want to help physicists appreciate how biology works. I’m looking forward to doing more of this teaching in Leiden.’
What will the collaboration between AMOLF and Leiden University look like?
‘Over the years, I’ve got to know many researchers in Leiden, both in biophysics and in biology. That includes people at the IBL, so I already have a good sense of the institute. I’m keen to collaborate on both research and education. I plan to be at the IBL regularly, to really get to know the work being done there. I expect this will naturally lead to all kinds of joint projects. I can also imagine that AMOLF might be an appealing place for IBL students to do research internships.’