Stella Thomassen

Research Assistant

Stella Thomassen has graduated with specialisation in Biochemistry at the HORITO institute of Turnhout, Belgium. She performed her internship at the Department of Biochemistry at Maastricht University, where she studied the effects of snake venoms on the coagulation system. She started working at Maastricht University under supervision of Professor Coen Hemker on a 8 year grant from the NWO in 1989. For the next 25 years, she worked in the group of Professor Jan Rosing. Next to being a lab manager, she assisted many PhD students over the years to complete their PhD projects. She has authored 49 papers and has an Hirsch-index of 22.

Since the discovery of the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on the coagulation cascade by thrombin generation assays, Stella was engaged in studying effects that different generations of OC had on the coagulation system. This led to many collaborations with the industry and many other universities. Stella was the main project manager of the numerous studies performed. She also performed some research projects herself. Together with Professor Jan Rosing, a sustained collaboration was made with the pharmaceutical company Baxter on several topics. Stella has ample experience with synthetic peptides directed to the anticoagulant protein TFPI which resulted in several research papers. Together with Professor Johan Heemskerk, she has studied the role of TFPI under flow. Her current research together with Dr Rory Koenen, involves the role of neutrophil proteins on the regulation of coagulation, and with Prof. Tillman Hackeng she develops different chemically designed peptides against TFPI.

She is involved in teaching through organising practical workshops for medical students and PhD students of CARIM. She has supervised two students from the technical bachelor biochemistry, and she has been mentoring FHML students since 2017.

Next to her laboratory activities, Stella is departmental emergency response officer (BHV) and has been member of the board of the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) organisation for five years. Since two years, she has also been board member of the PechaKucha public speaking organisation. In addition, she is member and current president of the American Toastmasters club in Maastricht. In 2018, she joined the Green Impact movement of Maastricht University, the Crossborders team which focusses on the improvement of sustainability at Maastricht University.

Department of Biochemistry
Universiteitsingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 4.362
T: +31(0)43 388 16 87

  • 2023
    • Van de Berg, T. W., Beckers, E. A. M., Heubel-Moenen, F. C. J. I., Henskens, Y. M. C., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., & Hackeng, T. M. (2023). Sensitive Measurement of Clinically Relevant Factor VIII Levels in Thrombin Generation Assays Requires Presence of Factor XIa. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 123(11), 1034-1041. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2101-7961
    • Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Bouwens, B. R. C., Wichapong, K., Suylen, D. P., Bouwman, F. G., Hackeng, T. M., & Koenen, R. R. (2023). Protein arginine deiminase 4 inactivates tissue factor pathway inhibitor-alpha by enzymatic modification of functional arginine residues. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 21(5), 1214-1226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.017
  • 2022
    • Sedzro, J. C., Adam, F., Auditeau, C., Bianchini, E., De Carvalho, A., Peyron, I., Daramé, S., Gandrille, S., Thomassen, S., Hackeng, T. M., Christophe, O. D., Lenting, P. J., Denis, C. V., Borgel, D., & Saller, F. (2022). Antithrombotic potential of a single-domain antibody enhancing the activated protein C-cofactor activity of protein S. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 20(7), 1653-1664. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.15736
    • Dickhout, A., van de Vijver, P., Bitsch, N., van Hoof, S. J., Thomassen, S. L. G. D., Massberg, S., Timmerman, P., Verhaegen, F., Koenen, R. R., Dijkgraaf, I., & Hackeng, T. M. (2022). Molecular Detection of Venous Thrombosis in Mouse Models Using SPECT/CT. Biomolecules, 12(6), Article 829. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12060829
    • Maag, A., van Rein, N., Schuijt, T. J., Kopatz, W. F., Kruijswijk, D., Thomassen, S., Hackeng, T. M., Camire, R. M., van der Poll, T., Meijers, J. C. M., Bos, M. H. A., & van't Veer, C. (2022). Major bleeding during oral anticoagulant therapy associated with factor V activation by factor Xa. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 20(2), 328-338. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.15589
  • 2021
    • Tchaikovski, S. N., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Stickeler, E., Bremme, K., & Rosing, J. (2021). Resistance to activated protein C and impaired TFPI activity in women with previous hormone-induced venous thromboembolism. Thrombosis Research, 207, 143-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2021.09.018
    • Wasserloos, A., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Costa, S. D., Zenclussen, A., Tchaikovski, V. E., Hackeng, T. M., Stickeler, E., & Tchaikovski, S. N. (2021). Effect of blood loss during caesarean section on coagulation parameters. Thrombosis Research, 202, 84-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2021.03.010
    • Castoldi, E., Hézard, N., Mourey, G., Wichapong, K., Poggi, M., Ibrahim-Kosta, M., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Fournel, A., Hayward, C. P. M., Alessi, M.-C., Hackeng, T. M., Rosing, J., & Morange, P.-E. (2021). Severe thrombophilia in a factor V-deficient patient homozygous for the Ala2086Asp mutation (FV Besançon). Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 19(5), 1186-1199. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.15274
  • 2018
    • Thomassen, S., Mastenbroek, T. G., Swieringa, F., Winckers, K., Feijge, M. A. H., Schrijver, R., Cosemans, J. M. E. M., Maroney, S. A., Mast, A. E., Hackeng, T. M., & Heemskerk, J. W. M. (2018). Suppressive Role of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-alpha in Platelet-Dependent Fibrin Formation under Flow Is Restricted to Low Procoagulant Strength. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 118(3), 502-513. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1627453
  • 2017
    • Westhoff, C. L., Pike, M. C., Cremers, S., Eisenberger, A., Thomassen, S., & Rosing, J. (2017). Endogenous thrombin potential changes during the first cycle of oral contraceptive use. Contraception, 95(5), 456-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2017.01.001
    • Alshaikh, N. A., Rosing, J., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Castoldi, E., Simioni, P., & Hackeng, T. M. (2017). New functional assays to selectively quantify the activated protein C- and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-cofactor activities of protein S in plasma. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 15(5), 950-960. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.13657
    • Winckers, K., Thomassen, S., ten Cate, H., & Hackeng, T. M. (2017). Platelet full length TFPI-alpha in healthy volunteers is not affected by sex or hormonal use. PLOS ONE, 12(2), Article 0168273. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168273
  • 2016
    • Peraramelli, S., Thomassen, S., Heinzmann, A., Hackeng, T. M., Hartmann, R., Scheiflinger, F., Dockal, M., & Rosing, J. (2016). Role of exosite binding modulators in the inhibition of Fxa by TFPI. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 115(3), 580-590. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH15-04-0354
  • 2015
    • Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Heinzmann, A. C. A., Herfs, L., Hartmann, R., Dockal, M., Scheiflinger, F., Hackeng, T. M., & Rosing, J. (2015). Tissue factor-independent inhibition of thrombin generation by tissue factor pathway inhibitor-alpha. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 13(1), 92-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12766
  • 2014
    • Tchaikovski, S. N., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Costa, S. D., Bremme, K., & Rosing, J. (2014). Changes in haemostatic parameters during the menstrual cycle and subsequent use of drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives. Thrombosis Research, 134(5), 1032-1037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2014.09.008
    • Peraramelli, S., Thomassen, S., Heinzmann, A., Rosing, J., Hackeng, T. M., Hartmann, R., Scheiflinger, F., & Dockal, M. (2014). Inhibition of tissue factor: factor VIIa-catalyzed factor IX and factor X activation by TFPI and TFPI constructs. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 12(11), 1826-1837. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12713
    • Raps, M., Curvers, J., Helmerhorst, F. M., Ballieux, B. E. P. B., Rosing, J., Thomassen, S., Rosendaal, F. R., & van Vliet, H. A. A. M. (2014). Thyroid function, activated protein C resistance and the risk of venous thrombosis in users of hormonal contraceptives. Thrombosis Research, 133(4), 640-644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2013.12.041
    • Dockal, M., Hartmann, R., Fries, M., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Heinzmann, A., Ehrlich, H., Rosing, J., Osterkamp, F., Polakowski, T., Reineke, U., Griessner, A., Brandstetter, H., & Scheiflinger, F. (2014). Small Peptides Blocking Inhibition of Factor Xa and Tissue Factor-Factor VIIa by Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 289(3), 1732-1741. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.533836
  • 2013
    • Raps, M., Rosendaal, F., Ballieux, B., Rosing, J., Thomassen, S., Helmerhorst, F., & Van Vliet, H. (2013). Resistance to APC and SHBG levels during use of a four-phasic oral contraceptive containing dienogest and estradiol valerate: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 11(5), 855-861. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12172
    • Peraramelli, S., Thomassen, S., Heinzmann, A., Rosing, J., Hackeng, T. M., Hartmann, R., Scheiflinger, F., & Dockal, M. (2013). Direct inhibition of factor VIIa by TFPI and TFPI constructs. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 11(4), 704-714. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12152
  • 2012
    • Van de Vijver, P., Schmitt, M., Suylen, D., Scheer, L., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Schurgers, L. J., Griffin, J. H., Koenen, R. R., & Hackeng, T. M. (2012). Incorporation of Disulfide Containing Protein Modules into Multivalent Antigenic Conjugates: Generation of Antibodies against the Thrombin-Sensitive Region of Murine Protein S. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134(47), 19318-19321. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja306993t
    • Raps, M., Helmerhorst, F., Fleischer, K., Thomassen, S., Rosendaal, F., Rosing, J., Ballieux, B., & Van Vliet, H. (2012). Sex hormone-binding globulin as a marker for the thrombotic risk of hormonal contraceptives. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(6), 992-997. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04720.x
  • 2011
    • Tchaikovski, S. N., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Costa, S.-D., Peeters, L. L. H., & Rosing, J. (2011). Role of protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in the development of activated protein C resistance early in pregnancy in women with a history of preeclampsia. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 106(5), 914-921. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH11-04-0244
  • 1999
    • Curvers, J., Christella, M., Thomassen, L. G. D., Nicolaes, G. A. F., van Oerle, R., Hamulyak, K., Hemker, H. C., Tans, G., & Rosing, J. (1999). Acquired APC resistance and oral contraceptives: Differences between two functional tests. British Journal of Haematology, 105(1), 88-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2141.1999.01302.x
  • 1991
    • Yukelson, L. Y., Tans, G., Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Hemker, H. C., & Rosing, J. (1991). Procoagulant activities in venoms from Central Asian snakes. Toxicon, 29(4-5), 491-502. https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(91)90023-K