Arjan Kortholt

Prof. Dr. Arjan Kortholt is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, specializing in Cell Biochemistry and Biotechnology. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the same institution (2009) and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund. His primary research focuses on understanding LRRK2-mediated Parkinson’s disease mechanisms and molecular signaling in Dictyostelium. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, including work in PNAS, EMBO, and Developmental Cell, with an h-index of 19.

Key roles include membership in the LRRK2 Function and Structure Consortium (supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation) and serving on the board of the Groningen Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). Awards include the NVBMB Prize 2017 and prestigious grants such as the NWO VIDI and MJFF Research Grants.

Research interests span G-protein signaling, kinase regulation, and therapeutic targeting of Parkinson’s disease. His lab employs biochemical, structural, and genetic approaches to investigate cellular polarity and gradient sensing in Dictyostelium, alongside LRRK2’s role in neurodegeneration.