AMOLF PhD student Tom Aarts: Faces of Science representative

Today, the KNAW presented the new Faces of Science, and AMOLF researcher Tom Aarts (Physics of Cellular Interactions) is one of them. 

Tom is happy with this opportunity to share his science with people outside of academia. He says, “Immune cells are continuously on the watch for threats in the body. To determine if they should attack, they use a sort of antenna that picks up signals from its surroundings. This signal relay can be distorted in people with cancer or autoimmune diseases. I study this antenna because if we better understand how it works, we can potentially come up with new treatments.” 

In addition to the scientific content Tom also intends to explain how the academic process works and to describe the collaborations he has, which are essential to make discoveries. 

The Faces of Science give the general public an insight in research and the life of a scientist. They do so by writing blogs, making videos and presentations.  

Are you interested in the research group that Tom is part of? Then have a look at the website page of the group Physics of Cellular Interactions.