dr. Emma Houlder

Researcher

E.L.Houlder@lumc.nl orcid

orcid.org/0000-0003-0448-6055

Research

I study the immunology of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. My work uses controlled human schistosome infection models to define how the immune system responds to developing infection. This includes elucidating cellular, cytokine and antibody signatures associated with infection. By comparing findings from controlled infections with naturally exposed populations in endemic regions, I aim to ground my research in the natural disease. Ultimately, my goal is to increase knowledge of schistosome immunology, thereby guiding the development of vaccines or therapeutics that enhance immunity and reduce disease burden.

Curriculum Vitae

I obtained my PhD at the University of Manchester, supervised by Andrew MacDonald and Peter Cook, where I studied how dendritic cells regulate type-2 immune responses in the lung. My work combined murine and human models to investigate pulmonary responses to schistosome infection. Additionally, I studied regulatory DC–Treg interactions during fungal airway inflammation. After my PhD, I joined the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) to study the immunology of controlled human schistosome infections. During this time, I was awarded a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship and a VENI grant, enabling me to establish an independent research line within LUCID-R and the translational parasitology group (sub-group Schistosome Immunology).

Publications

T cell responses in repeated controlled human schistosome infection compared to natural exposure.
Driciru E; Koopman JPR; Steenbergen S; Sonnet F; Stam KA; Bes-Roeleveld L; Iliopoulou E; Janse JJ; Sijtsma J; Nambuya I, […], Houlder EL.

Nature communications. 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62144-8
Pre-clinical studies of Schistosoma mansoni vaccines: A scoping review.
Emma L. Houlder; David J. Diemert; Lucas Ferreira da Silva; Angela van Diepen; Murilo Sena Amaral; R. Alan Wilson; Cornelis H. Hokke; Meta Roestenberg; Wilfried A.M. Bakker.

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2025. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012956
Early symptom-associated inflammatory responses shift to type 2 responses in controlled human schistosome infection.
Emma L. Houlder; Koen A. Stam; Jan Pieter R. Koopman; Marion H. König; Marijke C. C. Langenberg; Marie-Astrid Hoogerwerf; Paula Niewold; Friederike Sonnet; Jacqueline J. Janse; Miriam Casacuberta Partal et al.

Science Immunology. 2024. DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adl1965.

More publications

Groups: Translational Parasitology

dr. Emma Houlder

Publications

News

Annemieke Geluk awarded Eijkman medal 2026

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Groups

Functional immunology of infection and vaccine induced responses

The aim of our research group is to delineate host immune-responses towards mycobacteria to innovate diagnostic and vaccination strategies.

Systemic immunometabolism

Our research is centred on studying the immune regulation of metabolic homeostasis, especially the crosstalk between metabolic and immune cells within metabolic organs in cardiometabolic diseases and parasitic infections.

Immunodiagnostics of mycobacterial diseases

Our research focusses on prediction, diagnosis and improved treatment of leprosy and TB based on translation of immunological mechanisms to field applications using population studies worldwide.

Microbiome Systems Biology

We are a human microbiome research group aimed at gaining a better fundamental understanding of the human microbiome and exploring the clinical relevance of its complex interactions with the host using various systems biology approaches.

Experimental Bacteriology

Our research group is interested in fundamental and translational aspects of bacterial biology.

Virus-Host interactions and Antiviral Strategies

Our research group aims to develop antiviral strategies against (re)emerging viruses, including novel host-directed approaches.

Immune variation and vaccine hypo-responsiveness

Our research focuses on understanding the immune system of populations with varying degree of exposure to microorganisms and parasites, which can influence disease patterns and vaccine responsiveness across the globe.

Translational Parasitology

Our research tackles questions such as the development of a highly effective single-dose malaria vaccine and the increased understanding of natural and vaccine-induced immunity against helminth infections.

Transgenic parasites in malaria

Our research aims to develop innovative interventions against human malaria.

Cellular Immunometabolism

Our studies are aimed at understanding how cellular metabolism and the metabolic micro-environment controls the functional properties of immune cells in the context of infection, cancer and obesity.

Mucosal and systems immunology

Our aim is to understand how protective immunity is induced and maintained in the respiratory mucosa after infection and vaccination.

Coronaviruses and other nidoviruses

Understanding coronavirus molecular biology is central to antiviral drug discovery and pandemic preparedness.

Molecular Immunology

We aim to uncover the fundamental molecular principles that govern protective and long-lasting immunity to infectious diseases in humans.

Glycoscience and Helminth infections

The group focusses in particular on research and applications in helminth infections, with an emphasis on schistosomiasis.

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