Adrianus (Ando) Van Der Velden

Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University, 2000

E-mail:
Office:
Fax:

a.vandervelden@stonybrook.edu
(631) 632-4663
(631) 632-4294

Publications

Center for Infectious Diseases

Research

Host interactions with Salmonella

Research in the van der Velden laboratory has been focused on host interactions with Salmonella, with an emphasis on the immunology of infection. The goal of our research is to elucidate mechanisms that control the balance between the pathogen, the host, and its gut microbiota. Our research can be divided into the following two thematic projects:

Salmonella exploit gut inflammation to edge out competing microbes in the intestinal lumen and establish infection; yet, how Salmonella achieve this feat is not well understood. We have published that inflammatory monocytes promote nitrate-dependent Salmonella expansion in the lumen of the inflamed intestine, indicating that Salmonella exploit these innate immune cells to establish infection and promote disease progression. A current project in the laboratory continues to explore the role of inflammatory monocytes in the pathogenesis of Salmonella-induced colitis.

As part of a related project, we have published that inflammatory monocytes exhibit both protective and immunosuppressive properties that may influence the outcome of persistent Salmonella infection. A current project in the laboratory continues to explore the role of inflammatory monocytes in the pathogenesis of persistent Salmonella infection.

2. Inhibition of T cells by Salmonella.

T cells play an essential role in Salmonella clearance; yet, T cell responses to Salmonella are dampened during infection by mechanisms that are not well understood. We have published that an asparagine hydrolase produced by Salmonella inhibits T cell responses and mediates virulence. In addition, we have published that asparagine deprivation such as that mediated by the asparagine hydrolase of Salmonella causes suppression of activation-induced T cell metabolic reprogramming. Most recently, we have published that asparagine catabolism contributes to Salmonella virulence, further indicating that the competition for nutritional asparagine is a key battle at the host-pathogen interface. A current project in the laboratory continues to explore the role of asparagine metabolism in the pathogenesis of and host response to bacterial infection.

Training Opportunities

Graduate Students
The van der Velden laboratory is available to host rotation students and has funding to support a student if the rotation is successful.

Postdoctoral Fellows
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. van der Velden. Individuals with an interest in bacterial pathogenesis and host response are encouraged to send a curriculum vitae and cover letter to:

Adrianus (Ando) WM van der Velden, PhD
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Center for Infectious Diseases
240 Centers for Molecular Medicine
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5120

E-mail: a.vandervelden@stonybrook.edu

Biography

Dr. van der Velden began his scientific career at the Hogeschool van Utrecht in the Netherlands, where he studied biochemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Geert Hoelen. After completing his Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology with Dr. Fred Heffron at Oregon Health and Science University, he undertook postdoctoral training with Dr. Michael Starnbach at Harvard Medical School. Dr. van der Velden joined the faculty at Stony Brook University as an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in 2008 and was promoted to Associate Professor (with tenure) in 2015.