Marc Baggelaar

Dr. Marc Baggelaar is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University's Department of Chemistry, affiliated with the Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics group and the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research. His work bridges mass spectrometry proteomics and chemical biology to study posttranslational modifications, particularly S-palmitoylation, and its role in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

• PhD in Bio-Organic Chemistry (Leiden University, 2017, Cum Laude)
• M.Sc. & B.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (University of Groningen, 2012 & 2011)

His research focuses on developing methods like IMAC-enrichable affinity tags (PhosID) and phosphonate handles for site-specific activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). These tools enable investigation of drug binding sites and lipidation dynamics in cancer (e.g., EGFR-directed drugs, ZDHHC20 in pancreatic metastasis) and neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., palmitoylation in neurological diseases). Current projects include mapping S-palmitoylation in retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation and chemical-genetic systems for ZDHHC enzymes.

He has secured significant funding: Vidi (2024, 850K), NWO-M1 Open Competition Grant (2023, 350K), Veni (2029, 250K), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship (2017, 183K), and industry awards like the Unilever Research Prize (2012). His collaborations span institutions including The Francis Crick Institute, Imperial College London, and Scripps Research Institute.