DNA

Translational Genomics

At the Department of Translational Genomics (TGX), a multidisciplinary team of (cell) biologists, chemists, geneticists, toxicologists and bioinformaticians is working in close collaboration to establish the biological impact of exposures to potentially toxic compounds and to develop safe therapeutic strategies for genetic and non-genetic diseases. The rapid development of omics-technologies, has enabled us to establish responses on different molecular levels with higher sensitivity than most classical effect markers, and providing information on the involved molecular mechanisms of action. As such, toxicogenomics research combines toxicology with genomics approaches, and in particular next generation sequencing, in order to obtain more accurate understanding of toxicological processes and related disease mechanisms in order to maintain, restore or improve normal function. The application of these innovative omics-technologies in in vitro investigations of human, (patient-derived) cell models, in human population studies and in human health risk analysis can be regarded as the central research paradigm of our department.

Our vision

TGX applies innovative -omics technologies, cellular models, data science workflows and bioinformatics tools to characterize, prevent and treat complex human diseases and improve environmental safety and health

Our mission

TGX is leading in international networks that develop and apply innovative -omics technologies, cellular models, and bioinformatics tools to unravel the toxicological and molecular basis of cancer, neurodegenerative, mitochondrial, and muscular diseases. TGX works on (personalized) prevention and treatment strategies, using nutrition, supplements, drugs, gene correction, and stem cell approaches to improve human health and environmental safety and reduce animal experiments.

Our network

The department has strong collaborations both on the national level, and on the international level in the context of numerous EU and non-EU projects. Within Maastricht University there is a long history of collaboration with various clinical departments in the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). The Department of Translational Genomics is part of GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, MHeNs - Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute, NUTRIM - Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, and involved in the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio).

News

LAMA2-MD Conference: Getting Closer to a Treatment for LAMA2 RD

After successful conferences in Maastricht (2019) and Barcelona (2023), we are pleased to announce the third LAMA2-RD-focused meeting, to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from March 27–29, 2026.
Lama 2

TGX research afternoon: March 13, 2026

Translational Genomics (TGX) Research Afternoon 13th of March – Please register by March 5th.
TGX Day Out

Environmental Health paper selected as Editor’s Choice 2025

A recent paper from the Department of Translational Genomics, entitled “Small extracellular vesicles: connecting early life exposure outcomes to air pollution during pregnancy to early childhood health” , has been featured in the 2025 Editor’s Choice collection of Environmental Health .
globe

Congratulations: NWO-XS Funding for "Trojan Horses in the Womb"

Theo de Kok, Houman Kahroba and Julian Krauskopf from the department of Translational Genomics have been awarded an NWO-XS grant for their project "Trojan Horses in the Womb: Small Extracellular Vesicles as Carriers of Air Pollution to the Fetal Brain."
NWO

Join 4 Energy Donates €50,000 for Muscle Stem Cell Therapy Research

Bert Smeets and his team has received a €50,000 donation from Join4Energy to advance their pioneering research using mesoangioblasts derived from the patient’s own body.
Join 4 Energy