About Prof. M.P.M. (Moniek) de Maat, PhD
Introduction
After her Chemistry study at Utrecht University (1987 -1991), Moniek de Maat started her PhD research program on the regulation and modulation of the plasma fibrinogen level in 1991 at the TNO Prevention and Health in Leiden and the department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University in Rotterdam. She then worked at TNO as a senior researcher on thrombosis and haemostasis and from 2003 she works at the Erasmus MC, also as senior researcher on thrombosis and haemostasis.
From 2008 to 2023 she was also head of the hemostasis diagnostic laboratory at the Erasmus MC, which performs routine and special coagulation tests in adults and children using state of the art technology. Since 2019, Moniek de Maat is Professor of Biochemistry of Haemostasis and Thrombosis at the Hematology department of Erasmus MC. Since 2019, she also holds a position as visiting professor at the University Hospital of South West Denmark. She has been involved in the organization of multiple congresses in her field (including IFRS Workshop, ISTH).
Her science has always focused on fibrinogen variants and thrombosis, with particular attention on the effects of fibrinogen variants on clot structure and properties in thrombotic disease.
Focus area
The research focusses on understanding the role of the coagulation system in thrombosis, with emphasis on fibrinogen and the fibrin network. The last step of the coagulation cascade is the conversion of the protein fibrinogen to fibrin. Fibrin forms long fibers that branch and ultimately form the network that stabilized the thrombus. Fibrinogen is a very heterogeneous molecule and we study the relationship between the different forms and the architecture of the fibrin network, such as fiber thickness and branching, strength, elasticity, fibrinolysis rate. By understanding this relationship we hope to optimize patient treatment in thrombosis, delayed wound healing and bleeding.
We still do not fully understand the mechanisms underlying arterial thrombosis and knowing these mechanisms will enable us to recognize high risk patients and to optimize treatment options. We search (using genetic variation and protein variation) patient and population studies for new mechanisms and biomarkers. We have been involved in several successfully completed studies on these aspects, including basic research, clinical trials and epidemiological (sub)studies (Rotterdam Study, ECAT, ECAPTURE, REGRESS, ATTAC). At the moment we participate in the Contrast consortium in patients with acute ischemic stroke to search for biomarkers that are associated with treatment effect.
Field(s) of expertise
- Fibrinogen variants and coagulation
- Fibrin structure
Education and career
- 1987-1991 Chemistry (Biochemistry) at Utrecht University
- 1991-1999 Senior Researcher, Dept. Internal Medicine, on detachment at the Gaubius Laboratory TNO-PG, Leiden, Erasmus University, Rotterdam.
- 1994-2008 Visiting Associate Professor (Lektor), Department for Thrombosis Research, University of Southern Denmark (Previously: South Jutland University Centre), Esbjerg, Denmark.
- 1995 Thesis: “Regulation and modulation of the plasma fibrinogen level”. Promotor: Professor P. Wilson, Erasmus University
- 1999-2003 Senior Researcher, Dept. of Vascular and Connective Tissue Research, section of Hemostasis and Epidemiology, Gaubius Laboratory TNO-PG, Leiden
- 2003-2018 Associate Professor, Dept. of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center (until 2009: senior researcher)
- 2008-2023 Head Hemostasis Laboratory, Dept. of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center (permanent).
- 2017-present Visiting Professor, Department for Thrombosis Research, University of Southern Denmark
- 2018-present Professor of Biochemistry of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Dept. of Hematology, University Medical Center Rotterdam and Erasmus University
Other positions
Board memberships
- 1996 - present Member of the Supervisory board of the ECAT Foundation, an international External Quality Assessment Programme for laboratories working in the field of haemostasis and thrombosis (President from 2018-2022)
- 2001 - present Past president (from 2014-2018 President-elect, from 2018-2022 President, 2010 to 2014 Secretary/Treasurer, from 2001-2010 member of the board) of the International Fibrinogen Research Society
- 2001 – 2007 Member of board Nederlandse Vereniging voor Trombose en Hemostase
- 2006 - 2011 Chair (since 2010 co-chair) of Fibrinogen and Factor XIII Subcommittee of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- 2010 - 2022 Member of council of the International Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis Society (ISFP)
