Martine J. Smit

Prof. Martine J. Smit is a Full Professor in the division of Medicinal Chemistry within the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She holds dual appointments in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the AIMMS institute. Her research focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly their roles in oncogenic signaling networks and drug discovery, with a strong emphasis on nanobody-based therapies targeting human and viral chemokine receptors. Smit has led multiple high-impact projects including Horizon2020 initiatives like ONCORNET2.0 and public-private collaborations such as the MAGNETIC project.

Education: Dr. Smit earned her PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from VU University Amsterdam (1995) and completed a postdoc at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, focusing on oncogenic signaling. Her academic qualifications include a Pharmacochemistry Master’s (1991) and a European Baccalaureate (1985).

Research Interests: Her work integrates biochemistry, pharmacology, and structural biology to understand GPCR activation, dimerization, and EV biology. Key areas include:

• Constitutive GPCR activity and endosomal signaling
• Targeting viral-encoded GPCRs (e.g., HCMV US28)
• Development of nanobody-based therapeutics
• Chemokine receptor modulation in cancer and immune disorders

Grants & Awards: Recipient of NWO Vidi (2004), Vici (2013), and KNAW fellowship (1999-2003). Honored with the Organon Award (2007) and Galenus Prize (2002). Coordinated major EU projects including ONCORNET (2015-2019) and ONCORNET2.0 (2020-2024).

Lab & Collaborations: Active in public-private partnerships with pharmaceutical/biotech firms. Her lab develops nanobodies for GPCR targeting and explores exosome-mediated signaling. Supervised 17 PhD theses, fostering a global network of early-career researchers.