Simon D. (Daan) Pouwels
Resume
Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Netherlands, 2023 –
Post-doctoral project, Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Netherlands, 2019 –2023
Post-doctoral fellow, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Netherlands, 2017 – 2019
Post-doctoral project, Department of Analytical Chemistry,University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2015 – 2017
PhD, cum laude, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2017,
Thesis title: DAMPs, endogenous danger signals fueling airway inflammation in COPD.
MSc, Biomedical Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2011
BSc, Medical Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, 2009
Research
My research line focuses on identifying the role of Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) and their receptors in the pathophysiology of COPD, with a special focus on the DAMP receptor RAGE. We analyze levels of panels of DAMPs in various cohorts, investigate the cellular and molecular responses towards COPD triggers, e.g cigarette smoke, as well as investigate the immune reaction which is initiated by DAMPs.
Keywords: COPD, DAMPs, innate immune system, cigarette smoke, biomarkers, cell death, RAGE
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Faiz, A, Ter Haar, EAMD, Hartman, JE, Brandsma, CA, Timens, W, Burgess, JK et al.. Genome-Wide Differential Airway Gene Expression Analysis Identifies Genes Associated with COPD Comorbidities. Lung. 2025;203 (1):58. doi: 10.1007/s00408-025-00814-6. PubMed PMID:40287517 PubMed Central PMC12033178.
Kwant, AN, Es Sayed, JS, Aledlbi, N, Pryshchepa, H, van der Zaag, PJ, Burgess, JK et al.. Improving Complex Coacervate Tissue Adhesive Performance Using Bridging Polymer Chains. Biomacromolecules. 2025;26 (4):2433-2443. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01801. PubMed PMID:40129391 PubMed Central PMC12004509.
Hartman, JE, van der Molen, MC, Jonker, MR, Posthuma, R, Vanfleteren, LEGW, Slebos, DJ et al.. Systemic pro-inflammatory response following bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using endobronchial valves. ERJ Open Res. 2025;11 (2):. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00665-2024. PubMed PMID:40071272 PubMed Central PMC11895102.
Rae, B, Vasse, GF, Mosayebi, J, Berge, MVD, Pouwels, SD, Heijink, IH et al.. Development of a Widely Accessible, Advanced Large-Scale Microfluidic Airway-on-Chip. Bioengineering (Basel). 2025;12 (2):. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering12020182. PubMed PMID:40001701 PubMed Central PMC11851814.
Kuks, PJM, Kole, TM, Kraft, M, Siddiqui, S, Fabbri, LM, Rabe, KF et al.. Neutrophilic inflammation in sputum or blood does not define a clinically distinct asthma phenotype in ATLANTIS. ERJ Open Res. 2025;11 (1):. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00616-2024. PubMed PMID:39963164 PubMed Central PMC11831683.
Ter Haar, EAMD, Slebos, DJ, Klooster, K, Pouwels, SD, Hartman, JE. Comorbidities reduce survival and quality of life in COPD with severe lung hyperinflation. ERJ Open Res. 2024;10 (6):. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00268-2024. PubMed PMID:39559450 PubMed Central PMC11571074.
Kwant, AN, Es Sayed, JS, Kamperman, M, Burgess, JK, Slebos, DJ, Pouwels, SD et al.. Sticky Science: Using Complex Coacervate Adhesives for Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater. 2025;14 (2):e2402340. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202402340. PubMed PMID:39352099 PubMed Central PMC11730373.
Pouwels, SD, Ter Haar, EAMD, Heijink, IH, Hylkema, MN, Koster, TD, Kuks, PJM et al.. Highlights from the 11th Bronchitis International Symposium: “Heterogeneity of Lung Disease in a Changing Environment,” Groningen, The Netherlands, 2024. Respiration. 2024;103 (12):765-776. doi: 10.1159/000541655. PubMed PMID:39348815 .
Boedijono, FS, Bood, V, Eichhorn, IA, Hansbro, PM, Slebos, DJ, van den Berge, M et al.. Identification of Genetic Factors Associated With DAMP Release in COPD Patients. Arch Bronconeumol. 2024;60 (11):714-717. doi: 10.1016/j.arbres.2024.06.020. PubMed PMID:39034199 .
Zhang, Y, Sigaeva, A, Fan, S, Norouzi, N, Zheng, X, Heijink, IH et al.. Dynamics for High-Sensitivity Detection of Free Radicals in Primary Bronchial Epithelial Cells upon Stimulation with Cigarette Smoke Extract. Nano Lett. 2024;24 (31):9650-9657. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c02409. PubMed PMID:39012318 PubMed Central PMC11311533.
Search PubMed2022 ZonMW Open Competition grant, €766,319.- (co-applicant)
2022 ZonMW VENI grant, personal grant, €280,000.- (main applicant)
2021 UMCG Public Private Partnership allowance grant, €445,720.- (main applicant)
2021 UTS Sydney – Cross Disciplinary Research Grant 2021, $30,000.- (co-applicant)
2021 P4O2 – Precision medicine for more Oxygen, €14,500,000.- (co-applicant)
2020 P4O2 COVID-19 grant, €2,000,000.- (co-applicant)
2016 Noordelijke CARA Stichting, Research Grant, €4,500.-
2016 The Dutch Lung Foundation, Young Investigator Grant, €200,000.-
2015 J.C. de Cock Foundation, Research Grant, €4,000.-
2014 J.C. de Cock Foundation, Research Grant, €4,000.-
2013 Stichting Astma Bestrijding Research Grant, €13,000.-
2023 American Thoracic Society Ann Woolcock Memorial Award, $500.-
2022 American Thoracic Society Rising Stars of Research Award, $500.-
2022 HTRIC Research Award 2022, €260,000.-
2019 SAB Best Paper Award, €2,500.-
2018 ERS Young Scientist Sponsorship, €600.-
2017 NVVI Van Bekkum Best Thesis Award, €1,000.-
2017 KNG Van Swinderen Thesis Award 2nd price, €1,000.-
2017 2017 ATS Washington, Abstract Scholarship, RCMB Assembly, $500.-
2015 Abstract scholarship, National Emphysema Foundation, ATS Denver, $500.-
2013 ERS travel grant, 11th ERS Lung Science Conference, Estoril, Portugal, €550.-
2013 NRS Young Investigator Travel Grant, 15th ICI, Milan, Italy, €1,250.-
2013 ECDO best abstract travel grant, 21st ECDO, Paris, France, €500.-
2013 Chiési NRS Young Investigator Award, €5,000.-
2013 Immunotools Special Award, €1,000.-