Rheumatology & clinical immunology
Immunology, Innovation, Rheumatolgy
Research aim
To improve clinical practice by optimizing diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of rheumatic and immune-mediated and immune-deficient inflammatory diseases
About us
Our research is translational in nature covering fundamental laboratory, animal studies and human clinical studies. To support this translational focus our research is structured and fueled by a complementary team of physicians and fundamental researchers, each with their own expertise. PhD students, postdocs, technicians, and research nurses are involved in the projects, supported by students and trainees. Our research is embedded in two strategic research programs, Infection & Immunity and Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells. In addition to the research facilities of the two research programs we have our own research laboratory centrally located in the UMC. Serving as hub in proximity of the clinic, this lab provides direct support for our investigator- and industry-initiated clinical studies and allows swift implementation of state-of-the-art technologies (eg ~omics, and imaging). Unique patient cohorts and regional collaborations are core to our science and align with the ambitions as expertise centers (ECZA) and European Reference Networks (ERN-RITA and ERN-ReCONNET). We collaborate with both national and international academic and leading industrial partners within the field. Within our research we push for innovation and translation to the clinic, as illustrated by the founding of the spin off companies ArthroSave and Synerkine Pharma. We are accredited as a EULAR Centre of expertise and by ReumaNederland as osteoarthritis Research Centre of Excellence.