W.W.M. (Pim) Pijnappel

W.W.M. (Pim) Pijnappel serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Metabolic Diseases at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Head of Basal Research at the Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, a position held since 2012.

His academic credentials include:

• MSc in Medical Biology from Utrecht University, Netherlands
• PhD from Utrecht University, Netherlands (1996)

Pijnappel's research integrates stem cell biology, genome engineering, and epigenetic mechanisms to address lysosomal storage disorders. His work specifically targets skeletal muscle, cartilage, and central nervous system pathologies in Pompe disease and Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), developing disease models and novel therapeutic approaches through genetic engineering.

Publication analysis reveals a strategic research evolution from foundational molecular discoveries (epigenetic regulation, 2001; genome editing techniques, 2003) toward translational stem cell applications for rare diseases (2013). This trajectory demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions across molecular biology, regenerative medicine, and rare disease therapeutics.

He directs the Molecular Stem Cell Biology of Lysosomal Storage Diseases research group, focusing on metabolic enzyme deficiencies that cause systemic accumulation of substrates and multi-organ damage, with emphasis on stem cell-based therapeutic development.