Associate Professor
Biography
Dr. de Leng is a principal investigator and associate professor at the Department of Pathology of the UMC Utrecht. Her research focuses on advancing molecular pathology through the development and implementation of innovative molecular diagnostic approaches and their translation into clinical practice. Her group's mission is to combine cutting-edge diagnostics with translational and clinical research, while driving innovation in molecular diagnostic technologies. Her work at the interface of research, diagnostics, and innovation has contributed to more than 117 scientific publications.
In recent years, her research group has investigated the added value of methylation profiling for the classification of central nervous system tumors. They have also examined which method best detects MGMT promoter hypermethylation to predict glioblastoma patients' response to the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide. As Next Generation Sequencing increasingly becomes the test of choice for a growing range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, the group is now investigating how methylation patterns can be determined using sequencing-based techniques.
In addition, her group contributes to the development of regional and national networks aimed at ensuring equal access to high-quality molecular diagnostics for all patients. Together with a team of clinical scientists in molecular pathology, Dr. de Leng oversees the operations and development of a molecular pathology laboratory comprising more than 20 employees.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of precision medicine, her team focuses on the continuous development and improvement of molecular diagnostic assays and technologies. The team aims to maximize the information obtained from each assay, minimize input material requirements, and achieve rapid turnaround times, all while maintaining outstanding quality in a cost-effective manner. In parallel, the laboratory facilitates and supports research by providing molecular expertise, infrastructure, and access to state-of-the-art technologies. These activities are carried out by a multidisciplinary team of clinical scientists, technicians, pathologists, and researchers, in close collaboration with national and international partners.
At the forefront of advancing molecular diagnostics on a national scale, Dr. de Leng also serves as chair of the molecular section of the Dutch Pathology Society. In this role, she contributes her expertise to discussions with various stakeholders, including other scientific societies, the Dutch Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZiN), and health insurance companies. Through these strategic collaborations, she aims to help advance and shape the future of molecular diagnostics.
