Joost Wiskerke

Principal Research Engineer

Manager of the technical platform for optogenetics and optical imaging. I am available to all research groups for consultation, training and hands-on assistance with experiments involving techniques such as optogenetics and fiber photometry.

Publications

Publications in DiVA

2025

Johan Sköld, Gisela Lazzarino, Myra Nett, Joost Wiskerke, David Engblom (2025)

Melanocortin 4 receptor-expressing neurons in the lateral stripe of the striatum regulate affect and motor control iScience, Vol. 28, Article 112456 (Article in journal)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112456

2023

Esi Domi, Li Xu, Sanne Toivainen Eloff, Joost Wiskerke, Andrea Coppola, Lovisa Holm, Eric Augier, Michele Petrella, Markus Heilig (2023)

Activation of GABA(B) receptors in central amygdala attenuates activity of PKC delta plus neurons and suppresses punishment-resistant alcohol self-administration in rats Neuropsychopharmacology, Vol. 48, p. 1386-1395 (Article in journal)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01543-1

2022

Johan Pieslinger, Joost Wiskerke, Kajsa Igelström (2022)

Contributions of face processing, social anhedonia and mentalizing to the expression of social autistic-like traits Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Vol. 16, Article 1046097 (Article in journal)

https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1046097

Riccardo Barchiesi, Kanat Chanthongdee, Michele Petrella, Li Xu, Simon Söderholm, Esi Domi, Gaëlle Augier, Andrea Coppola, Joost Wiskerke, Ilona Szczot, Ana Domi, Louise Adermark, Eric Augier, Claudio Cantù, Markus Heilig, Estelle Barbier (2022)

An epigenetic mechanism for over-consolidation of fear memories Molecular Psychiatry, Vol. 27, p. 4893-4904 (Article in journal)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01758-6

2021

Maryam Azadi, Parisa Moazen, Joost Wiskerke, Saeed Semnanian, Hossein Azizi (2021)

Preconception paternal morphine exposure leads to an impulsive phenotype in male rat progeny Psychopharmacology, Vol. 238, p. 3435-3446 (Article in journal)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-021-05962-0

Research

David Engblom is working behind a microscope.

The Engblom Lab

At the Engblom Lab, we investigate the mechanisms and circuits underpinning the aversive affective states and the depressive symptoms accompanying inflammatory diseases and major depression.

About me

I obtained a PhD in Neuroscience from the VU University Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Before coming to Linköping, I was a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University and Rutgers University in the USA. My previous research has given me expertise in brain mechanisms of reward, and in cognitive functions such as response inhibition and decision-making.

My future goal is to develop myself as an independent scientist with a research program studying how the brain orchestrates higher-order behaviors and cognition. I am particularly interested in how these processes get disturbed when people suffer from mental disorders or neurological diseases.

When not at work, I like to spend time in the outdoors (running, hiking, biking and kayaking), do yoga/go to the gym, or hang out with my family and friends for a movie or a board game.

CV

2007–2013 Ph.D. in Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ph.D. advisors: Prof. Anton N.M. Schoffelmeer & Dr. Tommy Pattij
2004–2007 M.Sc. in Neuroscience, with Exchange Program, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (This is an internationally oriented honors program for the top 5–10% students of the Master Neurosciences program). Major: Neurogenomics
2001–2004 B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Organisation

A researcher is looking at encased samples in a lab.

Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience - CSAN

Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) integrates knowledge and methodology from different areas of basic and clinical neuroscience.

Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV)

What characterizes the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) is the wide breadth of research and education. BKV is one of the largest departments at LiU with affiliation mainly to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.