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Bob’s journey into science on Summer Social Series – Danish Cancer Institute

Danish Cancer Institute/LinkedIn

Aug 14, 2025, 07:42

Bob’s journey into science on Summer Social Series – Danish Cancer Institute

Danish Cancer Institute shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Wrapping up our Summer Social series: Meet the Scientists is Bob Meeusen, a postdoc in the Cell Signaling and Cell Cycle Group.

Bob’s journey into science was driven by broad interests — from medicine to veterinary science and even physical education. But it was biomedical sciences that struck the right balance between foundational knowledge and clinical relevance.

Why did you become a scientist?
At 18 years old, I was going back and forth a lot between what I wanted to study – medicine, veterinary studies, biochemistry, physical education. Eventually, I chose biomedical science, since it combined basic sciences with medical topics. After starting my Master’s, I developed a keen interest in molecular oncology and figured out what I wanted to do in my future professional life: stick around in academia to unravel the intricacies of this complex disease.

What are you currently working on?
Together with my colleagues in the lab, I am employing powerful genetic tools to dissect cellular signalling. I have used CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screens as well as base editing screens to gain a better understanding of the regulation of protein phosphatases and short linear interaction motifs (SLiMs), which are both major determinants of cellular signalling. Dysregulation of these processes is linked to cancer and other diseases, so we are trying to paint a complete picture of these interesting regulatory processes in order to find new disease treatments.

What I like about my job is…
Creating new knowledge is the number one driver for me in my job. We are continuously confronted with the boundaries of what is known, and acquiring new insights is very satisfying to me. Another big plus is that we as a team always try to push the limits of what is technologically possible. Getting a new technology or research tool up and running always feels like a little victory, especially when it facilitates daily life in the lab.

What motivates you at work?
I’m motivated by the things I just mentioned. Importantly, the teamwork aspect here is the key element that glues everything together, and working together on difficult topics motivates me to come to work.

To me, the DCI is…
Since we recently moved from the University of Copenhagen, DCI feels a bit like a fresh start, which offers a lot of new opportunities.

How do you get your mind off research?
One thing that really clears my mind is running, either on my own or together with friends. Extending my view on life beyond the lab is important to me, which I achieve by spending time with friends, reading a good book, or watching a good movie.

This marks the final spotlight in our Summer Social series — thank you for following along! Missed a story? Catch up on our LinkedIn page!”

More posts featurig Danish Cancer Institute.