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Prof. dr. J. Terpstra Award Amée Buziau

Prof. dr. J. Terpstra Award Amée Buziau

9 November 2026

Dr Amée Buziau (Dept of Internal Medicine) received this year’s Prof. Dr. J. Terpstra Young Investigator Award at the Annual Dutch Diabetes Meeting (NVDO).

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Luisa Wensky wins the FIGON PhD Student Competition

Luisa Wensky wins the FIGON PhD Student Competition

3 November 2026

Luisa Wensky, a third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Internal Medicine, has won the PhD Student Competition at the 2026 FIGON-LDDC Dutch Medicines Days. 

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Leon Schurgers

Professor

Leon J. Schurgers is Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification and, since 2023, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at Maastricht University. He is also Chair of Stem Cell Research University Maastricht (SCRUM) and section leader of Regenerative & Reconstructive Cardiovascular Medicine within CARIM. 

His research focusses on the molecular mechanisms driving vascular remodelling, cardiovascular ageing and disease, with particular emphasis on vascular smooth muscle cell plasticity, extracellular matrix remodelling, oxidative and mitochondrial stress, extracellular vesicles, mechanobiology and vascular calcification. Building on his longstanding research into vitamin K and matrix Gla protein (MGP), his programme integrates patient-derived vascular tissue with iPSC-based disease modelling to investigate genetic and acquired cardiovascular disorders.

A major current research direction is the modelling of thoracic aortic disease and genetic cardiomyopathies using patient-specific iPSC-derived vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes. These cells are incorporated into advanced 3D systems, including engineered 3D vascular and cardiac tissues, enabling cardiovascular disease mechanisms to be studied under physiologically relevant flow and mechanical load. His current work combines 2D and 3D cellular models with molecular profiling and functional phenotyping to investigate how genetic variation, mechanotransduction, cellular stress and ageing converge on cardiovascular dysfunction. 

Ultimately, our group aims to translate insights from vitamin K biology, vascular calcification, genetic cardiovascular disease, human stem-cell models and cardiovascular mechanobiology into biomarkers and novel strategies for preventing or reversing cardiovascular ageing and disease.

Leon-schurgers

Department of Biochemistry
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: H1.342
T: +31(0)43 388 16 80

  • 2026
    • Mikolajetz, D., Wu, Z., Romel, C., van der Vorst, E. P. C., Noels, H., Schurgers, L. J., de Leeuw, P., Kroon, A. A., Saritas, T., Moellmann, J., Rau, M., Lehrke, M., Marx, N., Jankowski, V., Jankowski, J., & de la Puente-Secades, S. (2026). Development of a monoclonal antibody targeting the calcification blocking factor CBF. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 204, Article 119958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2026.119958
    • van Loo, C., Stevens, K. A., Sigaeva, T., Giudici, A., Schurgers, L. J., Delhaas, T., Au, J. S., & Spronck, B. (2026). Biaxial biomechanics of aged human carotid arteries. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 182, Article 107529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2026.107529
    • Toonen, S. M. R. L., de Raat, F. M., van Loo, C., van Knippenberg, L., van Houte, J., Delhaas, T., Schurgers, L. J., Jeroncic, A., Mischi, M., Arthur Bouwman, R., Montenij, L. J., & Spronck, B. (2026). Vasoactive response of the thoracic aorta to phenylephrine infusion during cardiac surgery. Journal of Applied Physiology, 141(3), 863-872. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00996.2025
    • Barrera-Chimal, J., Lopez-Ramirez, J., Henley, N., Gao, P., Ma, Y., Desjardins-Lecavalier, N., Costantino, S., Royal, V., Agten, S. M., Borras, T., Pichette, V., Yuen, D. A., Schurgers, L. J., & Gerarduzzi, C. (2026). Matrix Gla Protein is a novel regulator of TGFβ–dependent fibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis. Molecular Biomedicine, 7(1), Article 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43556-026-00518-0
    • Husen, T. F., Lotfalla, A., Schreurs, R., Korver, E., Verheule, S., Schurgers, L., Jacobs, M., Lorusso, R., Heuts, S., & Bidar, E. (2026). Advanced organ protection strategies in aortic arch surgery: A narrative review. Perfusion. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02676591261466148
    • Heuts, S., de Keijzer, A. R., Adriaans, B. P., Notenboom, M. L., Mihl, C., Wildberger, J. E., Vos, R. J., Post, M. C., Rylski, B., Czerny, M., Reesink, K. D., Takkenberg, J. J. M., Veen, K. M., Arabkhani, B., Schalla, S. S., Schurgers, L. J., Lorusso, R., Hjortnaes, J., & Bidar, E. (2026). Rethinking Aortic Risk: The Potential Impact of Novel, Adjusted, and Combined Aortic Measures in the Prediction of Aortic Dissection. The Canadian journal of cardiology, 42(7), 1686-1696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2026.01.023
    • Lotfalla, A., Heuts, S., Schreurs, R., Maessen, J. G., Schurgers, L., Korver, E., Verheule, S., Lorusso, R., Jacobs, M., & Bidar, E. (2026). A Comprehensive Total Body Perfusion Strategy vs Conventional Techniques in Elective Aortic Arch Surgery: A Comparative Analysis. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 41(6), Article ivag145. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivag145
    • Vossen, L. M., de Leeuw, P. W., Schurgers, L. J., Heuts, S., Adriaans, B. P., de Haan, C., van Varik, B. J., & Kroon, A. A. (2026). Two Years of Menaquinone-7 Supplementation and Coronary Artery Calcification A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamacardio.2026.1279
    • Potjewijd, J., Tobal, R., van Doorn, D. P. C., Schurgers, L. J., Heeringa, P., Damoiseaux, J. G. M. C., & van Paassen, P. (2026). Soluble immune checkpoints reflect immune activation and treatment response in high-risk systemic sclerosis patients treated with plasma exchange. Journal of Translational Autoimmunity, 12, Article 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtauto.2026.100361
    • Bittner, R., de Vries, F., Machuron, F., Maresz, K., Gaserod, O., & Schurgers, L. (2026). Sex-Specific Effects of Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) Supplementation on Body Composition and Adiposity Markers. Nutrients, 18(11), Article 1699. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111699
    • Roy, S., Kane, J., Grigorieva, I., Roche-Dugmore, D., Moore, S., Steadman, R., Raby, A.-C., Jakulj, L., Schurgers, L., Lutgens, E., Eringa, E. C., Vervloet, M., Fraser, D., & Meran, S. (2026). Hyaluronan Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Osteogenic Differentiation and Vascular Calcification. Biomolecules, 16(5), Article 729. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16050729
    • Koetsier, J., Bahram Sangani, N., Gomes, A. R., Diogo, M. M., Fernandes, T. G., Bouwman, F. G., Mariman, E. C. M., Ghazvini, M., Schurgers, L. J., Gribnau, J., Curfs, L. M. G., Reutelingsperger, C. P., & Eijssen, L. M. T. (2026). Multi-omics characterization of developing forebrain organoids unravels the dynamic molecular events of Rett syndrome pathogenesis. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 18(1), Article 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-026-09699-9
    • Zagaliotis, A., Roumeliotis, A., Roumeliotis, S., Neofytou, I. E., Varouktsi, G., Leptokaridou-Mourtzila, E., Stamou, A., Sgouropoulou, V., Kocic, G., Veljkovic, A., Bittner, R., Jahnen-Dechent, W., Schurgers, L. J., & Liakopoulos, V. (2026). Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Markers of Cardiovascular Disease and Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Large Cohort Study. Metabolites, 16(4), Article 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16040280
    • Marreiros, C., Viegas, C., Nunes, S., Silva, A. P., Faisca, M., Schurgers, L., & Simes, D. C. (2026). Factors associated with Gla-rich protein serum concentrations in healthy adults. Biochemia Medica, 36(2), Article 020709. https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2026.020709
    • Atash, A., Mees, B. M. E., Cramer, M. J., Baas, A. F., Schurgers, L. J., Doevendans, P. A., & Stillitano, F. (2026). MYH11 variants in thoracic aortic aneurysm pathophysiology: From bench to bedside. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 56(4), Article e70196. https://doi.org/10.1111/eci.70196
    • Lima, L. S., Ribeiro, M., Cardozo, L. F. M. F., Bittner, R., Ribeiro-Alves, M., Schultz, J., Rosado, A. S., Leite, P. E. C., Nakao, L. S., Schurgers, L. J., & Mafra, D. (2026). Association of poor vitamin K status with inflammation and gut microbiota in hemodialysis patients: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 148, Article 110139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2025.110139
    • Vidula, M. K., Schurgers, L. J., Zhao, L., Dib, M.-J., Zhao, M., Wang, Z., Ebert, C., Salman, O., Azzo, J. D., Zamani, P., van Empel, V., Richards, A. M., Doughty, R., Javaheri, A., Mann, D. L., Rietzschell, E., Kammerhoff, K., Schafer, P., Seiffert, D. A., ... Chirinos, J. A. (2026). Dephospho-Uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-Protein Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure. Circulation-Heart Failure, 19(2), 1-11. Article e012734. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.124.012734
    • Stenvinkel, P., Kotanko, P., Painer-Gigler, J., Shiels, P. G., Evenepoel, P., Schurgers, L., Natterson-Horowitz, B., Kalogeropoulu, S., Schiffman, J., & Johnson, R. J. (2026). Comparative physiology and biomimetics in metabolic and environmental health: what can we learn from extreme animal phenotypes? Diabetologia, 69(2), 295-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06611-3
    • Doukas, P., Bassett, C., Hruschka, B., Kuzmanova, E., Wessels, I., Klump, H. J., Schurgers, L. J., Jacobs, M. J., Uhl, C., Gombert, A., & Huang, J. T. J. (2026). Plasma Desmosine Is Elevated in Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Is Associated with Intramural Proteolytic Activity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(3), Article 1236. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031236
    • Muilwijk, M., Kremers, S., Schurgers, L. J., Stolaki, M., Bakker, S. J. L., & Beulens, J. W. J. (2026). A double-blind randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of menaquinone producing probiotics on vitamin K status. Beneficial Microbes. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1163/18762891-bja00117
    • van der Wilt, C. N., Veltrop, R. J. A., Janssens, M. H., Bakker, I., Stillitano, F., Sluijter, J. P. G., van Laake, L. W., van der Velden, J., Villard, E., Montag, J., Denning, C., van Tintelen, J. P., Te Riele, A. S. J. M., van der Harst, P., Schurgers, L. J., van Steenbeek, F. G., & Harakalova, M. (2026). Setting the stage for cardiomyopathy gene editing trials: a systematic review of isogenic pair use in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte research. European heart journal open, 6(1), Article oeaf161. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjopen/oeaf161
    • Beckers, C., Kraemer, S., Theissen, A., Kunze, M., Soppert, J., Schurgers, L., Veltrop, R., Doorschodt, B., Tolba, R. H., Larmann, J., & Bleilevens, C. (2026). Evaluating a Novel Cell-Free Preservation Solution for Human Cardiomyocyte Protection: A Proof-of-Concept Study. BioMed Research International, 2026(1), e7101969. Article 7101969. https://doi.org/10.1155/bmri/7101969
    • Persson, K., Nilsson, C. U., Sjovall, J., Walther Sturesson, L., Schurgers, L., & Kander, T. (2026). Vitamin K-dependent proteins in patients undergoing head and neck free flap surgery - a prospective observational study. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation, 86(5), 480-488. https://doi.org/10.1080/00365513.2026.2694050
  • 2025
    • Lanzer, P., Schurgers, L., Twarda-Clapa, A., Ferraresi, R., Hui, H., Kamenskiy, A., Chen, Y., Hamana, T., Fok, P.-W., Millán, Á., Virmani, R., & St Hilaire, C. (2025). Medial arterial calcification in ageing and disease: current evidence and knowledge gaps. European Heart Journal, 46(45), 4876-4900. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf341
    • Al-Chalabi, S., Sinha, S., Kalra, P. A., Evans, D., Green, D., Schurgers, L., & Poulikakos, D. (2025). A Randomised Prospective Crossover Study on the Effects of Medium Cut-Off Membranes on FGF-23 and Inflammatory Mediators in Patients Receiving Regular Haemodialysis. Blood Purification, 54(11), 639-651. https://doi.org/10.1159/000545745
    • Niederau, C., Maas, S. L., van der Vorst, E. P. C., Schurgers, L. J., Shi, Y., Holzle, F., Wolf, M., & Craveiro, R. B. (2025). Jaw-specific differential kinase activity profiles in human periodontal ligament stem cells under mechanical compression. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 16(1), Article 624. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04778-5
    • Heuschkel, M. A., Jaminon, A., Gräber, S., Artati, A., Adamski, J., Jankowski, J., Schurgers, L., Marx, N., Jahnen-Dechent, W., & Goettsch, C. (2025). Hypotaurine Reduces Glucose-Mediated Vascular Calcification. Acta Physiologica, 241(8), Article e70075. https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.70075
    • Ganizada, B. H., Reesink, K. D., Parikh, S., Saraber, P. J. M. H., Cleutjens, J. P., Isabella, A., Krebbekx, M. Q. E., Jaminon, A. M., Maassen, C. F. M., Ramaekers, M. J. F. G., Spronck, B., van der Laan, K., Koenen, R. R., Lorusso, R., Maessen, J. G., Bidar, E., & Schurgers, L. J. (2025). Loss of wall stress homeostasis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm: histomorphometric insights into patient variants. The Journal of Physiology, 603(14), 3899-3922. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP288734
    • Saraber, P., Bica, L., Reesink, K., Mees, B., Bidar, E., Schurger, L., & Heuts, S. (2025). The clinical relevance of the decelerating effect of angiotensin receptor blockers on aortic growth in Marfan patients; a Bayesian perspective. International Journal of Cardiology, 433, Article 133318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2025.133318
    • de la Puente-secades, S., Mikolajetz, D., Gayrard, N., Hermann, J., Jankowski, V., Bhargava, S., Meyer, A., Argiles, A., Saritas, T., van der Vorst, E. P. C., Wu, Z., Noels, H., Tepel, M., Alghamdi, K., Ward, D., Zidek, W., Wolf, M., Floege, J., Schurgers, L., ... Jankowski, J. (2025). Vasoconstriction-inhibiting factor: an endogenous inhibitor of vascular calcification as a calcimimetic of calcium-sensing receptor. Cardiovascular Research, 121(3), 507-521. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvaf016
    • Bassett, C., Doukas, P., Gombert, A., Schurgers, L., Jacobs, M., Uhl, C., & Hruschka, B. (2025). Degradation elastischer Fasern in thorakoabdominellen Aortenaneurysmen: Ein multinationales und multizentrisches Forschungsprojekt mit Vorbildcharakter. Gefässchirurgie, 30(2), 79-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00772-025-01181-5
    • de Vries, F., Bittner, R., Maresz, K., Machuron, F., Gåserød, O., Jeanne, J.-F., & Schurgers, L. J. (2025). Effects of One-Year Menaquinone-7 Supplementation on Vascular Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Post-Menopausal Women. Nutrients, 17(5), Article 815. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050815
    • Negm, S., Wolf, M., Craveiro, R. B., Schurgers, L., Jankowski, J., Schneider, R. K., Rizk, M., Coenen, F., Knaup, I., Brenji, S., & Niederau, C. (2025). Resveratrol modulates phosphorylation of ERK and AKT in murine cementoblasts during in vitro orthodontic compression. BMC Oral Health, 25(1), Article 226. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05591-5
    • Habibi, A., Ruf, W., & Schurgers, L. (2025). Protease-activated receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells: a bridge between thrombo-inflammation and vascular remodelling. Cell Communication and Signaling, 23(1), Article 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02066-6
    • Roumeliotis, S., Kontogiorgos, I., de Vries, F., Maresz, K., Jeanne, J.-F., Leivaditis, K., & Schurgers, L. J. (2025). The role of vitamin K2 in cognitive impairment: linking vascular health to brain health. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 16, Article 1527535. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2024.1527535
    • Vossen, L. M., Schurgers, L. J., de Haan, C., Kroon, A. A., & de Leeuw, P. W. (2025). Adherence to dietary supplementation with menaquinone-7, a vitamin K2 analogue. Exploration of Medicine, 6, Article 1001321. https://doi.org/10.37349/emed.2025.1001321
    • van Loo, C., Toonen, S. M. R. L., Schurgers, L. J., Delhaas, T., & Spronck, B. (2025). Human Aortic Vasoreactivity in Response to Various Stimuli: A Review. Pulse, 13(1), 121-139. https://doi.org/10.1159/000547617
    • Parikh, S., Wehrens, A., Giudici, A., Ganizada, B., Saraber, P., Schurgers, L., Debeij, G., Natour, E., Maessen, J., Huberts, W., Delhaas, T., Reesink, K., & Bidar, E. (2025). Interpretation of intra-operative strain differences in ascending thoracic aortic repair patients. Journal of Biomechanics, 179, Article 112447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112447
    • Doukas, P., Hruschka, B., Bassett, C., Buhl, E. M., Simon, F., Saraber, P., Jacobs, M. J., Uhl, C., Schurgers, L. J., & Gombert, A. (2025). Distribution and Maturity of Medial Collagen Fibers in Thoracoabdominal Post-Dissection Aortic Aneurysms: A Comparative Study of Marfan and Non-Marfan Patients. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(1), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010014
    • Potjewijd, J., Koenen, H. J. P. M., van der Made, C. I., van Rijssen, E., He, X., Ysermans, R., Ungethum, L., Theunissen, R., Schurgers, L. J., Damoiseaux, J., van Paassen, P., & Smeets, R. L. (2025). A novel missense variant in TNFAIP3 associated with autoimmunity reveals the contribution of STAT1/ mTOR pathways. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 219(1), Article uxaf048. https://doi.org/10.1093/cei/uxaf048
    • Koetsier, J., Eijssen, L. M. T., Schurgers, L. J., Curfs, L. M. G., Reutelingsperger, C. P., & Bahram Sangani, N. (2025). Integrative analysis of 115 transcriptomic studies decodes the molecular landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders. Communications Biology, 8(1), Article 914. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08330-2
  • 2024
    • Marreiros, C., Viegas, C., Guedes, A. M., Silva, A. P., Aguas, A. C., Faisca, M., Schurgers, L., & Simes, D. C. (2024). Gla-Rich Protein Is Associated with Vascular Calcification, Inflammation, and Mineral Markers in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(23), Article 7429. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13237429
    • Tobal, R., Potjewijd, J., de Vries, F., van Doorn, D. P. C., Jaminon, A., Bittner, R., Akbulut, C., van Empel, V., Heeringa, P., Damoiseaux, J., Schurgers, L., & van Paassen, P. (2024). Dephosphorylated uncarboxylated Matrix-Gla-Protein as candidate biomarker for immune-mediated vascular remodeling and prognosis in pulmonary hypertension. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 26633. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77000-w
    • Medina, I., Wieland, E. B., Temmerman, L., Otten, J. J. T., Bermudez, B., Bot, I., Rademakers, T., Wijnands, E., Schurgers, L., Mees, B., van Berkel, T. J. C., Goossens, P., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2024). Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (Csf1r) expressing cell ablation in mafia (macrophage-specific Fas-induced apoptosis) mice alters monocyte landscape and atherosclerotic lesion characteristics. European Journal of Immunology, 54(11), Article 2350943. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.202350943
    • Berard, M., Chassain, K., Mery, C., Gillaizeau, F., Carton, T., Humeau, H., Navasiolava, N., Rocour, S., Schurgers, L., Kempf, M., & Martin, L. (2024). Changes in the gut microbiota of pseudoxanthoma elasticum patients. Annales de Dermatologie et de Venereologie, 151(3), Article 103290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annder.2024.103290
    • Ganizada, B. H., J. A. Veltrop, R., Akbulut, A. C., Koenen, R. R., Accord, R., Lorusso, R., Maessen, J. G., Reesink, K., Bidar, E., & Schurgers, L. J. (2024). Unveiling cellular and molecular aspects of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Basic Research in Cardiology, 119(3), 371-395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-024-01053-1
    • Pinto, E., Viegas, C., Martins, P. V., Marreiros, C., Nascimento, T., Schurgers, L., & Simes, D. (2024). Mediterranean Diet Favors Vitamin K Intake: A Descriptive Study in a Mediterranean Population. Nutrients, 16(8), Article 1098. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081098
    • Lemmens, T. P., Bröker, V., Rijpkema, M., Hughes, C. C. W., Schurgers, L. J., & Cosemans, J. M. E. M. (2024). Fundamental considerations for designing endothelialized in vitro models of thrombosis. Thrombosis Research, 236, 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2024.03.004
    • Veltrop, R. J. A., Kukk, M. M., Topouzidou, K., Didden, L., Muchir, A., van Steenbeek, F. G., Schurgers, L. J., & Harakalova, M. (2024). From gene to mechanics: a comprehensive insight into the mechanobiology of LMNA mutations in cardiomyopathy. Cell Communication and Signaling, 22(1), Article 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-01546-5
Overview