Ph.D. degree for Theun de Groot
20 Dec 2011
Theun de Groot received his Ph.D. degree in the Medical Sciences
of the Radboud University Nijmegen after the successful defense of
his thesis entitled 'A terminal view at the epithelial calcium
channel TRPV5'. During his PhD research Theun studied the
regulation of the epithelial calcium channel that acts as the
gatekeeper in renal calcium handling. The calcium concentration in
our body is kept constant and is essential for many vital processes
like formation of our skeleton, muscle contractions, neuro
transmitter release and cellular signalling. Theun identified the
mechanisms by which hormones in our body regulate the calcium
channel TRPV5, and therefore, the calcium balance. He could
demonstrate that the parathyroid hormone phosphorylates and
subsequently opens the channel at the plasma membrane of the renal
cells. His work underlines the key function of TRPV5 in the
maintenance of the calcium balance. Theun continues his work as
Post.doc of our department in the group Osmoregulation.
On the occassion of his PhD defence Theun was interviewed by "het Brabants
Dagblad".
You can read more about the interview here.
<< back to news
