Spotlight on Eva D'haene, NORPOD Fellow
We spoke with Eva D’haene, who has just started as a NORPOD fellow. Her research focuses on chromatin regulators in neurodevelopment and disease. She is working with Helena Kilpinen at FIMM and Thomas Kim at DANDRITE.
Tell us about your project and what you are aiming to do.
Changes in the way DNA is packaged and regulated, a process controlled by chromatin (the structure that organises our DNA and controls which genes are switched on or off), are frequently found in people with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). These conditions are often referred to as “chromatinopathies”. However, we still do not fully understand the precise cellular origin of these disorders, or how these disruptions ultimately lead to disease.
This NORPOD project aims to identify shared patterns of chromatin dysregulation across different chromatinopathies. To do this, we use in vitro laboratory models that mimic brain development. We then apply a range of cutting-edge techniques, including single-cell multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics, and high-content imaging, that allow us to study gene activity, chromatin states, and cell behaviour at very high resolution; down to individual cells and their spatial organisation.
A key part of my work will focus on developing computational approaches to integrate these large and complex datasets. By bringing together multiple layers of information, we can build a more complete picture of how disrupted chromatin regulation affects developing brain cells and contributes to NDDs.
What’s your research journey in a nutshell? How did you get from your hometown to joining the NORPOD programme?
My research journey began with a PhD at Ghent University (Belgium) in the lab of Prof. Sarah Vergult, where I studied gene regulation and 3D chromatin structure in neurodevelopmental disorders. I then continued as a junior postdoc in the lab of Prof. Elfride De Baere, also at Ghent University, focusing on chromatin structure in the human retina and retinal disease. After several rewarding years in Ghent, I was keen to broaden my perspective and expand my network. The NORPOD programme felt like the ideal opportunity to do so.
What drew you to the NORPOD Fellowship? Considering the nature/topic of your research project, what made you think, “Yes, this is the one for me”?
While exploring postdoctoral opportunities across Europe, I came across a position advertised by Helena Kilpinen and Thomas Kim. The project focused on multimodal data integration to study chromatin regulators in neurodevelopment and disease; a topic that immediately clicked with me, as I have been working on chromatin structure and gene regulation since the start of my PhD.
I was particularly attracted to the complementary expertise of the two labs, spanning single-cell and spatial transcriptomics as well as high-content imaging. That combination felt like the ideal foundation for tackling such a complex project. The multidisciplinary, collaborative environment, together with its strong link to the NORPOD programme, really made the fellowship stand out. I didn’t hesitate to apply.
You’re working across borders with different labs: what excites you most about this international collaboration? Using 2 emojis, do you have any fun cultural discoveries so far?
The best thing, aside from the science, is the opportunity to connect with people at two top-notch research institutes, while getting to live and work in two exciting Nordic cities.
🥶 Since I arrived in Finland, temperatures haven’t climbed above 0. Helsinki in winter is stunning though, and I have loved going for walks on the sea ice.
☕️ I am glad to have discovered Finland has a proper coffee culture. A good cup of Kahvi makes my day.
It is early days however where do you hope this experience takes you next? What’s the dream career move or research question you’re itching to explore?
I hope this fellowship will prepare me to one day lead my own research team. The NORPOD training programme, together with the opportunity to work across institutes, will be key in helping me reach that goal.
About NORPOD
The NORPOD Postdoctoral Programme is the flagship training initiative of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, funded by NordForsk. Designed to foster the next generation of scientists, it provides postdocs with unique opportunities to work across borders, combining expertise, technologies, and mentorship from leading research environments in the Nordic region.
As part of this ambitious programme, fellows pursue cutting-edge projects while experiencing the collaborative spirit and scientific excellence that define the Nordic EMBL Partnership.