dr. Simone Joosten

Associate Professor

s.a.joosten@lumc.nl orcid

orcid.org/0000-0002-9878-0863

My main interest is in understanding the human immune system in health and disease. Over the last decade her group has been working on host immunity towards tuberculosis (TB), with a strong translational focus. We consider it pivotal to assess the sum of immune responses rather than isolated components and ideally assess these from a functional perspective. Vaccination is an ideal model to investigate early immune activation, which we consider essential for outcome. We have been interested in innate and adaptive cellular as well as humoral immunity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We aim to combine clinical data and samples with functional immunological characterization of the responses.

Vaccination against Mtb is essential to combat the ongoing TB pandemic. Evaluation of novel vaccine candidates is lengthy and endpoints are difficult to define, in particular since correlates of protection have not yet been identified. However it is essential to measure not only the magnitude of these vaccine-induced responses but also the functional properties of the immune components evoked. Functional assays provide important insights in the capacity of different immune components to control mycobacteria, including the interplay of immune players. Application of functional assays has contributed to identification of cell subsets and cellular interactions that are essential to mediate mycobacterial control.

Publications

Individual and population associated heterogeneity in vaccine induced immune responses. The impact of inflammatory status and diabetic comorbidity
SA Joosten

Semin Immunol (2025) 78: 101964
BCG vaccination induces different mechanisms of mycobacterial growth control compared to natural protection
KE van Meijgaarden, W Li, SJCFM Moorlag, VACM Koeken, HJPM Koenen, LAB Joosten, A Vyakarnam, A Ahmed, S Rakshit, V Adiga, THM Ottenhoff, Y Li, MG Netea, SA Joosten.

Nature Communications (2024), 15(1):114. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-44252-5
Mycobacterial Growth Inhibition is associated with trained innate immunity
SA Joosten, KE van Meijgaarden, SM Arend, C Prins, F Oftung, GE Korsvold, SV Kik, RJW Arts, R van Crevel, MG Netea, THM Ottenhoff

J Clin Invest (2018), 128(5): 1837-1851

More publications

Groups: Functional immunology of infection and vaccine induced responses

dr. Simone Joosten

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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