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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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. 2025; :. doi: 10.1002/resp.70146. PubMed PMID:41111194 .
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.
Joglekar, MM, Sand, JMB, Borghuis, T, Leeming, DJ, Karsdal, M, Klont, F et al.. The Calprotectin Fragment, CPa9-HNE, Is a Plasma Biomarker of Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Cells. 2025;14 (15):. doi: 10.3390/cells14151155. PubMed PMID:40801588 PubMed Central PMC12346652.
Gupta, A, Slebos, DJ, Pouwels, SD. Lung implantable devices: the issue with granulation tissue. Breathe (Sheff). 2025;21 (3):240243. doi: 10.1183/20734735.0243-2024. PubMed PMID:40673062 PubMed Central PMC12260914.
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.
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.-