Professor of clinical and experimental anatomy at the Leiden University Medical Center Chairman Programme Committee Medicine (OLC-GNK) Chairman Anatomical Museum Committee, LUMC

More information about Marcus de Ruiter

Professor of clinical and experimental anatomy at the Leiden University Medical Center

Chairman Programme Committee Medicine (OLC-GNK)

Chairman Anatomical Museum Committee, LUMC

Anatomy

Three-dimensional knowledge of the human body is a prerequisite for every (bio)medical. Anatomy teaching is part of various Leiden University studies (medicine, biomedical sciences and clinical technology).

The daily task is to organize teachings in anatomy, embryology and histology. The curriculum is based on the blended learning concept and is developed in close relation to the clinicians. Our group develops augmented reality tools based on 3D models to apply anatomical knowledge in daily practice.

Our research aim is to understand clinically relevant congenital cardiovascular disorders from a developmental point of view to improve diagnostics and to identify preventive measures and potential points of application for medical therapy. With the current group of PhD students, we focus on the bicuspid aortic valve, a heart valve with only two leaflets instead of three.

Bicuspid aortic valves may remain asymptomatic, but in a significant proportion of patients, stenotic and/or ascending aortic aneurysms contribute to important morbidity and mortality. It is currently largely unknown which markers predict adverse outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic valves. This knowledge will help to individualize current treatment protocols.

Academic career

Professor of Clinical and Experimental Anatomy
from 2010
Associate Professor
2004-2010
Assistant Professor
1992-2004
Post-Doc: “Haemodynamic interference followed by morphologic evaluation”
1991-1992
PhD graduation: Thesis entitled “Development of the vascular system in the embryo. A concept of the origin of systemic-pulmonary collateral arteries”.
Leiden May 20th, 1992
Master of Science in Biology, specialization Medical Biology. Leiden University, 1987.

Publications