Maarten Sarink

Maarten Sarink is a Researcher at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. His work focuses on free-living amoebae, bacterial infections, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms in clinical and environmental settings.

Dr. Sarink's primary research interests include:

• Free-living amoebae (particularly Acanthamoeba castellanii and Naegleria fowleri)
• Host-pathogen interactions and infection mechanisms
• Antibiotic resistance transmission
• Dengue vaccination strategies
• Infection control policies for resistant organisms

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the role of free-living amoebae in facilitating bacterial gene transfer and their metabolic characteristics. Sarink's work on Acanthamoeba castellanii revealed that these organisms require oxygen for normal functioning and prefer lipids as their energy substrate, opening new treatment possibilities. He has also contributed to research on dengue vaccination policies in the Netherlands and infection control measures for antibiotic-resistant organisms in rehabilitation settings.

Dr. Sarink completed his doctoral thesis titled "Free-living amoebae and infections: Perpetrators and facilitators" in April 2025, representing a comprehensive 196-page examination of this field.

His research fingerprint shows significant activity in areas including Acanthamoeba castellanii (100%), Acanthamoeba (75%), Naegleria fowleri (75%), Encephalitis (55%), Antibiotic Sensitivity (50%), Mycobacterium Chimaera (50%), Peptides (50%), and Confocal Microscopy (50%).