MS van der Knaap

Prof. dr. MS van der Knaap serves as a Visiting Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Science within the Integrative Neurophysiology department and Amsterdam Neuroscience - Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms. Her work centers on leukodystrophies and pediatric white matter disorders through advanced neuroimaging and molecular research.

Her research spans Leukodystrophy, Leukoencephalopathy, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging applications in neurological diseases, with emphasis on astrocyte pathophysiology and genetic mechanisms. She bridges clinical neurology and molecular neuroscience to develop therapies for rare genetic disorders, particularly focusing on vanishing white matter and megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy.

Recent 2025 publications demonstrate translational momentum in gene therapy for leukodystrophies, astrocyte electrophysiology in mouse models, and anesthetic impacts on white matter disorders. These works integrate molecular biology, clinical pediatrics, and neuroimaging to address Metachromatic Leukodystrophy and MLC.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 2010)

She has supervised 27 PhD theses in pediatric neurology and white matter disorders while leading the Foundation for Children with White Matter Disorders (Stichting voor Kinderen met Witte Stof Aandoeningen) as chair since 2011. Her collaborative framework drives clinical-academic partnerships across European research networks.

Her current work operates through Amsterdam Neuroscience's Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms division, where interdisciplinary teams investigate leukodystrophy pathophysiology and therapeutic innovation using genetic models and advanced imaging.