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 focuses on studying the pathophysiology of the lung disease COPD. With my studies, I aim to connect basic laboratory science with clinical cohort studies in order to improve our understanding of the disease and work towards developing novel treatments.
In COPD patients, not only are the lungs affected, but most also experience extrapulmonary complaints. COPD patients are susceptible to developing comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. These comorbidities can arise from detrimental signals, such as Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs), released by the lungs and received by cells in other organs. To study this interorgan communication novel, advanced and dynamic cell culture models are required. Therefore, together with my team, I develop novel in-house developed Organ-on-Chip models, such as the Lung-on-Chip model, the Multi-Organ-on-Chip model, and the Stent-on-Chip model. These chip models are developed to address specific research questions, and they are adjustable, affordable, and accessible.
Keywords: COPD, cell culture models, DAMPs, organ-on-chip, interorgan communication
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Pouwels, SD, Chen, H, Rathnayake, SNH, Lan, A, Mahbub, RM, Yeung, ACY et al.. A comprehensive multi-omics and functional study of evolutionary adaptive responses to smoke. iScience. 2026;29 (5):115547. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115547. PubMed PMID:42016314 PubMed Central PMC13092862.
Rae, B, Ramirez, JA, Heijink, IH, Pouwels, SD. Accessible Silicone Chip-to-Membrane Sealing Procedure for Flexible, Reliable Bonding. J Vis Exp. 2026; (229):. doi: 10.3791/69980. PubMed PMID:41941398 .
Gupta, A, Burgess, JK, Borghuis, T, Slebos, DJ, Pouwels, SD. Contact-compression induces inflammatory and remodeling responses in bronchial epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2026;330 (4):L304-L317. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00247.2025. PubMed PMID:41615694 .
Kwant, AN, Es Sayed, JS, Dijkstra, P, Burgess, JK, Slebos, DJ, Kamperman, M et al.. Complex coacervate tissue adhesives: effect of polycation chemistry and ionic strength on cytocompatibility. J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2026;37 (1):11. doi: 10.1007/s10856-025-06994-0. PubMed PMID:41483295 PubMed Central PMC12783172.
Kuks, PJM, Karp, T, Hartman, JE, Kraft, M, Siddiqui, S, Fabbri, LM et al.. Cluster Analysis to Identify Distinct Asthma Phenotypes in the ATLANTIS Cohort. Allergy. 2026;81 (1):185-196. doi: 10.1111/all.70127. PubMed PMID:41212157 PubMed Central PMC12773654.
Egerod, L, Ter Haar, EAMD, Karsdal, MA, Leeming, DJ, Nanthakumar, CB, Yates, JC et al.. Comorbidity profiles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multicohort study. ERJ Open Res. 2025;11 (5):. doi: 10.1183/23120541.01289-2024. PubMed PMID:41158484 PubMed Central PMC12557400.
Kuks, PJM, Hartman, JE, Ter Haar, EAMD, van Pelt, LJ, Slebos, DJ, van den Berge, M et al.. Identification of Clinically Distinct Clusters in Patients With Severe COPD Using Circulating Blood Cell Population Parameters. Respirology. 2026;31 (2):141-151. doi: 10.1002/resp.70146. PubMed PMID:41111194 PubMed Central PMC12865525.
Galant, SP, Kuks, PJM, Kole, TM, Kraft, M, Siddiqui, S, Fabbri, LM et al.. Assessment of the role of small airway dysfunction in relation to exacerbation risk in patients with well controlled asthma (ATLANTIS): an observational study. Lancet Respir Med. 2025;13 (11):990-1000. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00283-8. PubMed PMID:41038213 .
Guo, TJF, Faiz, A, Osei, ET, Pouwels, SD. Editorial: Next generation in vitro models to study chronic pulmonary diseases, volume II. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12 :1683514. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1683514. PubMed PMID:40969809 PubMed Central PMC12440728.
Rae, B, Bood, V, Dijk, HJ, Vasse, GF, Melgert, BN, Nagelkerke, A et al.. Interorgan Communication Between Lung and Colorectal Epithelial Cells Studied Using a Novel Multi-Organ-On-Chip System. Compr Physiol. 2025;15 (5):e70051. doi: 10.1002/cph4.70051. PubMed PMID:40948361 PubMed Central PMC12434799.
Search PubMed2025 ZonMW Open Competitie grant, €800,000.- (co-applicant)
2025 Noordelijke CARA Stichting, Research grant, €7,000.- (main applicant)
2025 Health Science & Technology Ecosystem Innovation grant 2025, €70,000.- (co-applicant)
2024 Horizon Europe, EUROSTARS 3 grant, €400,000.- (co-applicant)
2024 NWO – Open Technology Program grant, €1,011,107.- (main applicant)
2024 Stichting Astma Bestreiding (SAB) research grant, €35,000.- (co-applicant)
2024 UMCG Starting grant, €240,000.- (main applicant)
2024 P4O2 Follow-up project, COPD cohort, Health Holland, €1,100,000.- (co-applicant)
2024 CPBT Growth Fund application, In vitro models, €530,000.- (co-applicant)
2023 UMCG Public Private Partnership allowance grant, €733,965.- (main applicant)
2022 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)
2019 Noordelijke CARA Stichting, Research Grant, €5,000.-
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.-