Our Scientists & Specialists

There are three research teams across the UK; all lead by scientists who have attended all or some of our family meet ups and have a special interest in the peroxisome. Their research is crucial in understanding the peroxisome and how it functions, which can in turn lead to better diagnostics in the future, and more effective treatments.

We are very lucky here at Zellweger UK, to have their support in raising awareness and understanding of such a complex and little known condition as Zellweger Spectrum Disorders. (As well as other peroxisomal disorders, as complex and devastating as ZSD.)

Please click on our scientists’ pictures to view their university profiles.


pA.BakerProfessor Alison Baker
Faculty of Biological Sciences – University of Leeds

Professor Alison Baker‘s interest is in membrane transport processes in the peroxisome using plant cells. Uses a range of biochemical, cell biological, genomic and chemical biology approaches to address the mechanism of transport of both proteins and metabolites across the peroxisome membrane.



E.HettemaDr. Ewald Hettema

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – The University of Sheffield

Dr. Ewald Hettema and his team are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying peroxisome dynamics at the cellular level.



Michael_SchraderProfessor Michael Schrader
Department of Biosciences – University of Exeter

Professor. Michael Schrader and his team are researching the biogenesis and dynamics of cellular compartments in mammalian cells. Focussing on the molecular machinery and signalling pathways, which mediate and regulate the formation, dynamics and abundance of peroxisomes.



Femke Klouwer

MD, PhD, Neurology Resident (AIOS) at Academic Medical Center (AMC)

Femke Klouwer is a medical doctor in the Department of Neurology and Pediatric Neurology at the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam. In 2018, she finished her PhD (thesis: Zellweger spectrum disorders: From bench to bedside) after focusing on translational studies in Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD) for three years.
Dr. Klouwer is currently training to become a pediatric neurologist and sees ZSD patients at the outpatient clinic on a regular basis. She aims to continue her research in peroxisomal disorders and is working in close collaboration with the Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases within the AMC.



Dr Germaine Pierre

Paediatric consultant at the University Hospitals
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol UK since August 2009. She established the Regional
Metabolic Service for paediatric patients across the South West with Bristol based and
outreach clinics and a 24/7 on call service. Her interests are the differential diagnosis, care, and management of patients with suspected general metabolic and neurometabolic disorders. She has been the principal investigator in several trials and has published as both the primary author and co-author. She regularly teaches and presents on the recognition,
diagnosis and management of metabolic patients.


Recent articles and publications from Schrader Lab

Professor Michael Schrader – Peroxisomes on the Rise

Professor Michael Schrader – Peroxisomes on the Rise – PDF version

A role for Mitochondrial Rho GTPase 1 (MIRO1) in motility and membrane dynamics of peroxisomes

ACBD5 and VAPB mediate membrane associations between peroxisomes and the ER