Detailed depiction of the interface between F-actin (grey) and coronin-1B (blue), a protein complex involved in(cancer)-cell migration.

Wout Oosterheert

Mechanistic structural biology

Proteins are essential molecules that perform virtually every function within the cell. Our group aims to uncover the 3D-structures of protein complexes. This enables us to understand how our cells operate at the atomic level.

We are particularly interested in the mechanisms that underlie (cancer)-cell migration and adhesion. Specifically, we study how the cytoskeleton interacts with the cell membrane using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy and biophysical methods. Our research is driven by curiosity, but may ultimately also contribute to the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

More about this group

Our research

Team members

Group leader

PhD student

PhD student

Technician

Highlights of this group

NWO Vidi grant awarded to the Oosterheert lab

^{October 2026}

Thrilled to announce that Wout has received the competitive Vidi grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). For a period of five years, we will investigate how actin filaments interact with proteins at the membrane to drive cell adhesion.

The team is growing

^{October 2026}
In the last few months, Wout and lab technician Jeffrey have welcomed several new members to the team. Freke and Freddie have started their PhD in our group, and Kerstin has joined from the University of Vienna for a Master’s internship. We wish everyone a great time in Amsterdam and look forward to many exciting scientific discoveries from the team!

Study on actin filament disassembly published in Cell

^{October 2025}
In this new study that wraps up Wout’s postdoctoral work, we uncovered how the three proteins coronin, cofilin and AIP1 work together to rapidly disassemble actin filaments.