Menu

Latest news & events

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

Read more
Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

Read more
More newsMore events
Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Leon Schurgers

Professor

Initially trained in clinical chemistry and hematology at the University of Applied Science, Prof. Leon Schurgers obtained his PhD at the Department of Biochemistry within CARIM on the role of vitamin K1 and K2 on bone metabolism and cardiovascular disease. He worked as post-doc on a Dutch Heart Foundation grant on the role of matrix Gla-protein synthesized by vascular smooth muscle cell and calcification in collaboration with the group of Prof. Catherine Shanahan (Cambridge, UK).

In 2009, he was appointed on a tenured position at the Department of Biochemistry. After entering the Toptalent programme (Maastricht UMC+) in 2016, he was appointed as Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification in 2017. He is vice-chair of the department of Biochemistry. Since 2021, he chairs the stem cell research facility of the University of Maastricht (SCRUM).

The focus of his current work is elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which vascular remodelling is initiated and propagated. Key cellular events include phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the role of oxidative stress, extracellular vesicles and calcification. In this, he collaborates closely with the Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery departments of the Heart and Vessel Center (HVC) of the Maastricht University Medical Center. Patient derived primary SMCs are isolated from vascular tissue and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are generated from patient derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These iPSCs are used to differentiate into patient specific cardiovascular cells (i.e., cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts) to study cardiovascular disease.

The underlying causes of SMC phenotypic switching are insufficient to understand the pathogenesis of vascular ageing and calcification at a level that allows development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. In his project line, the Schurgers’ group aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of vitamin K-metabolism in health and vascular disease. Importantly, this work will help to understand the paradoxal observation that patients with low vitamin K-status during oral anticoagulant treatment develop enhanced vascular calcification and our results might provide new insights in prognostic and preventive measures to combat vascular ageing.

Professor Schurgers is Chairman of the steering scientific board on the world-wide quality assurance scheme for vitamin K detection and member of the scientific advisory boards of the Dutch Thrombosis Society.

Leon-schurgers

Department of Biochemistry
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 4.314
T: +31(0)43 388 16 80

  • 2026
    • 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
  • 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
  • 2023
    • Mulder, M. M. G., Schellens, J., Sels, J.-W. E. M., van Rosmalen, F., Hulshof, A.-M., de Vries, F., Segers, R., Mihl, C., van Mook, W. N. K. A., Bast, A., Spronk, H. M. H., Henskens, Y. M. C., van der Horst, I. C. C., ten Cate, H., Schurgers, L. J., Drent, M., & van Bussel, B. C. T. (2023). Higher levels of circulating desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein over time are associated with worse survival: the prospective Maastricht Intensive Care COVID cohort. Journal of Intensive Care, 11(1), Article 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40560-023-00712-0
    • Potjewijd, J., Tobal, R., Boomars, K. A., van Empel, V. V. P. M., de Vries, F., Damoiseaux, J. G. M. C., Schurgers, L. J., & van Paassen, P. (2023). Plasma Dephosphorylated-Uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-Protein in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Biomarker Potential for Vascular Calcification and Inflammation. Diagnostics, 13(23), Article 3526. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13233526
    • Haroon, S., Davenport, A., Ling, L. H., Tai, B. C., Teo, L. L. S., Schurgers, L., Chen, Z., Shroff, R., Fischer, D. C., Khatri, P., Low, S., Tan, J. N., Chua, H. R., Teo, B. W., Ong, C. C., Subramanian, S., Yeo, X. E., Wong, W. K., & Lau, T. W. L. (2023). Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the Effect of Treatment with Vitamin K2 on Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients (Trevasc-HDK). Kidney International Reports, 8(9), 1741-1751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2023.06.011
    • Ganizada, B. H., Reesink, K. D., Parikh, S., Ramaekers, M. J. F. G., Akbulut, A. C., Saraber, P. J. M. H., Debeij, G. P., Jaminon, A. M., Natour, E., Lorusso, R., Wildberger, J. E., Mees, B., Schurink, G. W., Jacobs, M. J., Cleutjens, J., Krapels, I., Gombert, A., Maessen, J. G., Accord, R., ... MUMC TAA Student Team (2023). The Maastricht Acquisition Platform for Studying Mechanisms of Cell-Matrix Crosstalk (MAPEX): An Interdisciplinary and Systems Approach towards Understanding Thoracic Aortic Disease. Biomedicines, 11(8), Article 2095. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11082095
    • Wang, R., Damanik, F., Kuhnt, T., Jaminon, A., Hafeez, S., Liu, H., Ippel, H., Dijkstra, P. J., Bouvy, N., Schurgers, L., ten Cate, A. T., Dias, A., Moroni, L., & Baker, M. B. (2023). Biodegradable Poly(ester) Urethane Acrylate Resins for Digital Light Processing: From Polymer Synthesis to 3D Printed Tissue Engineering Constructs. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 12(17), Article 2202648. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202202648
    • van Kuijk, K., McCracken, I. R., Tillie, R. J. H. A., Asselberghs, S. E. J., Kheder, D. A., Muitjens, S., Jin, H., Taylor, R. S., Schreur, R. W., Kuppe, C., Dobie, R., Ramachandran, P., Gijbels, M. J., Temmerman, L., Kirkwoord, P. M., Luyten, J., Li, Y. M., Noels, H., Goossens, P., ... Sluimer, J. C. (2023). Human and murine fibroblast single-cell transcriptomics reveals fibroblast clusters are differentially affected by ageing and serum cholesterol. Cardiovascular Research, 119(7), 1509-1523. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvad016
    • Panagiotou, N., McGuinness, D., Jaminon, A. M. G., Mees, B., Selman, C., Schurgers, L., & Shiels, P. G. (2023). Microvesicle-Mediated Tissue Regeneration Mitigates the Effects of Cellular Ageing. Cells, 12(13), Article 1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12131707
    • Pinto, E., Viegas, C., Martins, P. V., Nascimento, T., Schurgers, L., & Simes, D. (2023). New Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Vitamin K Intake in a Mediterranean Population. Nutrients, 15(13), Article 3012. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15133012
    • Skenteris, N. T., Hemme, E., Delfos, L., Karadimou, G., Karlof, E., Lengquist, M., Kronqvist, M., Zhang, X., Maegdefessel, L., Schurgers, L. J., Arnardottir, H., Biessen, E. A. L., Bot, I., & Matic, L. (2023). Mast cells participate in smooth muscle cell reprogramming and atherosclerotic plaque calcification. Vascular Pharmacology, 150(1), Article 107167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2023.107167
    • Dai, L., Mafra, D., Shiels, P. G., Hackeng, T. M., Stenvinkel, P., & Schurgers, L. J. (2023). Vitamin K and Hallmarks of Ageing: Focus on Diet and Gut Microbiome. Nutrients, 15(12), Article 2727. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122727
    • van den Akker, G. G. H., Steijns, J. S. J. J., Stassen, R. H. M. J., Wasilewski, G. B., Peeters, L. C. W., Wijnands, K. A. P., Schurgers, L. J., Caron, M. M. J., van Rhijn, L. L. W., & Welting, T. J. M. (2023). Development of a cyclic-inverso AHSG/Fetuin A-based peptide for inhibition of calcification in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 31(6), 727-740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.11.007
    • Eelderink, C., Kremer, D., Riphagen, I. J., Knobbe, T. J., Schurgers, L. J., Pasch, A., Mulder, D. J., Corpeleijn, E., Navis, G., Bakker, S. J. L., Borst, M. H. D., & Velde-Keyzer, C. A. T. (2023). Effect of vitamin K supplementation on serum calcification propensity and arterial stiffness in vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. American Journal of Transplantation, 23(4), 520-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015
    • Fontaine, M. A. C., Jin, H., Gagliardi, M., Rousch, M., Wijnands, E., Stoll, M., Li, X., Schurgers, L., Reutelingsperger, C., Schalkwijk, C., van den Akker, N. M. S., Molin, D. G. M., Gullestad, L., Eritsland, J., Hoffman, P., Skjelland, M., Andersen, G. Ø., Aukrust, P., Karel, J., ... Biessen, E. A. L. (2023). Blood Milieu in Acute Myocardial Infarction Reprograms Human Macrophages for Trauma Repair. Advanced Science, 10(5), Article 2203053. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202203053
    • Roumeliotis, S., Neofytou, I. E., Maassen, C., Lux, P., Kantartzi, K., Papachristou, E., Schurgers, L. J., & Liakopoulos, V. (2023). Association of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Calcification and Cardiovascular Markers in Chronic Kidney Disease. Metabolites, 13(2), Article 303. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020303
    • Pavlic, A., Poelman, H., Wasilewski, G., Wichapong, K., Lux, P., Maassen, C., Lutgens, E., Schurgers, L. J., Reutelingsperger, C. P., & Nicolaes, G. A. F. (2023). Inhibition of Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 by Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors Results in Decreased Release of Extracellular Vesicles by Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Attenuated Calcification. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), Article 2027. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032027
    • Piscaer, I., Janssen, R., Franssen, F. M. E., Schurgers, L. J., & Wouters, E. F. M. (2023). The Pleiotropic Role of Vitamin K in Multimorbidity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(4), Article 1261. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041261
    • Dzhanaev, R., Hasberg, C., Gorgels, A., Schmitz, C., Winkler, C. F., Malyaran, H., Graeber, S., Gentier, A., Jaminon, A., Agten, S., Hackeng, T., Akbulut, A. C., Schurgers, L., Mottaghy, F. M., Goettsch, C., & Jahnen-Dechent, W. (2023). Application of the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A for the detection of calcified lesions. Theranostics, 13(2), 659-672. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.78773
    • Aberger, S., Findenig, B., Beil, J., Aichinger, N., Koller, J., Vermeer, C., Schurgers, L., Theuwissen, E., More, E., Franzen, M., Kronberger, C., & Salmhofer, H. (2023). Common Histological Features Suggesting Enchondral Ossification Pathways in Calciphylaxis of Various Origins: A Study of Human Subcutaneous Tissue Biopsies. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 103(1), Article adv5755. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v103.5755
  • 2022
    • Beghi, S., Furmanik, M., Jaminon, A., Veltrop, R., Rapp, N., Wichapong, K., Bidar, E., Buschini, A., & Schurgers, L. J. (2022). Calcium Signalling in Heart and Vessels: Role of Calmodulin and Downstream Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(24), Article 16139. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232416139
    • Kemp, J. A., Alvarenga, L., Cardozo, L. F. M. F., Dai, L., Stenvinkel, P., Shiels, P. G., Hackeng, T. M., Schurgers, L. J., & Mafra, D. (2022). Dysbiosis in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Let Us Talk About Vitamin K. Current nutrition reports, 11(4), 765-779. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00438-9
Overview