< Back to previous page
Researcher
Wim Cuypers
- Research Expertise (University of Antwerp):Dr. Wim Cuypers is a postdoctoral researcher at the Adrem Data Lab at the University of Antwerp. With a strong background in microbial genomics, transcriptomics and general bioinformatics, his research focuses on employing cutting-edge techniques to understand and combat infectious diseases. Within the branch of the Adrem Data Lab headed by prof. Kris Laukens, Dr. Cuypers' principal objective centers around harnessing the revolutionary capabilities inherent to nanopore sequencing technology for the purpose of pathogen monitoring. After securing a competitive FWO-SB research grant, Wim conducted extensive investigations into microbial genomics, antimicrobial resistance and transcriptomics for his PhD research from 2018 onwards. Key contributions he made during his PhD include a review on fluoroquinolone resistance in Salmonella which has been cited over 100 times after publication in Microbial Genomics, and a large collaborative study on Salmonella Concord, which was published in Nature Communications. In 2023, he defended his PhD thesis entitled: “Genomic adaptation of Salmonella to antimicrobials and the human host”. In addition to his computational expertise, Wim is also proficient in various wet-lab techniques, including cultivating bacteria, performing DNA extractions, and performing library preps fof sequencing. This practical knowledge allows him to seamlessly integrate benchwork experiments with computational analyses, facilitating a holistic and comprehensive approach to research. Through a strong connection with the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp were he performed part of his doctoral studies, Wim has established a robust partnership that greatly enriches his academic pursuits. His diverse background and scientific network allows him to actively engage with interdisciplinary teams, fostering an environment conducive to inclusive research. Driven by a passion for effective communication, he can explain difficult scientific concepts to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise. As a true evangelist for the field of bioinformatics and computational biology, Wim holds the position of Vice Chair in the Executive Team of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) Student Council. He plays a crucial role in fostering connections and building bridges within a diverse global network of more than 2000 master's students, PhD students, and early-career researchers who share a profound dedication to advancing the frontiers of computational biology. Driven by a strong sense of social responsibility, and through his active involvement in the ISCB Student Council and his current research position, Wim is dedicated to providing equitable access to sequencing capacity and high-quality bioinformatics training, particularly for individuals in low- and middle-income countries who face limited opportunities in this field.
- Keywords (University of Antwerp):BIOINFORMATICS, MICROBIOLOGY, BACTERIAL RESISTANCE, NANOPORE SEQUENCING, COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY, MICROBIAL GENETICS, SEQUENCING, SALMONELLA, Computer science (incl. applied informatics)
- Disciplines (University of Antwerp):Bioinformatics and computational biology, Ecology, Evolutionary biology, General biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular and cell biology, Plant biology, Systems biology, Other biological sciences, Other natural sciences
- Research techniques (University of Antwerp):DNA isolation Whole-genome sequencing Nanopore sequencing Sequencing QC Genome assembly Variant calling Phylogenetics Identification of resistance markers Bioinformatics pipeline development Antimicrobial susceptibility testing Cultivation of bacteria
- Users of research expertise (University of Antwerp):Fundamental and applied researchers and clinicians