Oncode announced that one of the junior investigators, Joep Grootjans from Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, is among ten excellent researchers and their research groups invited to join the Oncode Institute as of January 1st, 2024. These individuals were selected from a pool of 72 applicants, based on the high quality of their scientific work, their expertise, and their potential to advance Oncode Institute's mission of expediting groundbreaking discoveries and facilitating their transformation into new diagnostics and treatments for cancer patients. These positions have been made available through contributions from Oncode's Major Donor Program.

Oncode Institute grows to 62 research groups, spread over 13 universities and research institutes throughout the Netherlands. We are excited about the expertise the new investigators will bring to the institute in basic oncology research, with strong links to translational and clinical research, and enabling new technologies – including AI, protein design and biophysics. With the current research team and new members, Oncode Institute has an excellent, diverse and committed team of investigators. 

Jan Paul Medema, Head of Oncode Institute and Scientific Director, says: “We are pleased to see so much young talent in both fundamental and translational cancer research in the Netherlands, and I’d like to thank all researchers that took the effort to apply for a position within Oncode Institute. We feel very fortunate to be able to incorporate these researchers into Oncode Institute. The innovation power and plans of these new Oncode Investigators brings new momentum to the institute.” 

Clare Isacke, Academic Dean at the Institute of Cancer Research (London), member of Oncode Institute's International Advisory Board and Chair of the selection committee, says: “We were impressed by the high quality of all candidates. We are proud that we can invite a multidisciplinary group of young researchers to join this wonderful institute. Their diversity in background and expertise helps the mission of Oncode Institute to focus on cancer research from different perspectives.” 

The research of Joep Grootjans:

Joep combines his clinical work as gastroenterologist with laboratory research, which focuses on the interplay between inflammation and cancer. He is especially interested in the metastatic process towards the peritoneal cavity. At the Amsterdam UMC, Joep has set up the clinical studies to study human peritoneal metastasized cancer, as well as pre-clinical models to translate findings and ultimately to set up clinical trials. Joep is planning to study why peritoneal metastases are resistant to current systemic and immunotherapy, to find novel treatment opportunities for this devastating disease.

See the press release from Oncode (Oncode Institute expands with ten talented Junior Investigators | Oncode Institute):

For more information contact Cancer Center Amsterdam.

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