The ADORE Research and Diagnostic Center (RDC) building, in which cancer and neuroscience researchers will be hosted by 2025, reached the highest point in construction last June, marking its important position in the fast-growing Zuidas campus. While the building is on its way to welcome the researchers, the Board of Stichting ADORE (foundation representatives) and the ORA (Onderzoekraad ADORE) are working hard on laying down the foundation for its governance and structure.
The ORA works as Research Council, in which strategic and operational decisions are made. It is composed by the directors of Stichting ADORE, a representative of the Board of Directors, the vice dean of research, the vice dean of research valorization, the scientific directors of CCA and Amsterdam Neuroscience, and 9 scientific leaders that act as liaison between the ORA and the focus groups (figure 1).
What is, then, a focus group? The focus groups include key experts in every topic of interest for ADORE. The members have the role to identify themes and directions that the focus group intends to pursue for the future development of the ADORE concept and research. The role of the focus group leaders is, therefore, to summarize these themes to the ORA and to present new projects to the Research Council (ORA) for consideration and support. In the future, the focus groups will be responsible for monitoring ongoing projects to assess their progress and ensure their successful implementation. At the moment there are six focus groups and each of them is led by at least two experts in the field, respectively working in oncology or neuroscience.
ADORE Focus Groups
Proteomics and Genomics
Research themes: 1. CRISPR screening technology, 2. Vesicle biology, 3. Innovative drug screening technologies.
Focus group leaders: Guus Smit* (guus.smit@vu.nl) & Maarten Bijlsma* (m.f.bijlsma@amsterdamumc.nl)
Biobanking
Research themes: 1. Optimal use of our unique & complementary patient materials, 2. Optimal coupling clinical data & samples, 3. Innovative diagnostic assay pipeline.
Focus group leaders: Michiel Pegtel* (d.pegtel@amsterdamumc.nl) & Charlotte Teunissen (c.teunissen@amsterdamumc.nl)
Immuno & Cell Therapy
Research themes: 1. Immune Monitoring, 2. Crossing Biological Barriers, 3. Next generation in vitro models and therapies.
Focus group leaders: Yvette van Kooyk* (y.vankooyk@amsterdamumc.nl) & Joep Killestein* (j.killestein@amsterdamumc.nl)
Imaging
Research themes: 1.Imaging to assess the role of the immune system/systemic inflammation.
Focus group leaders: Ronald Boellaard (r.boellaard@amsterdamumc.nl), Rik Ossenkoppele (r.ossenkoppele@amsterdamumc.nl), & Willemien Menke (c.menke@amsterdamumc.nl).
Liaison between ORA and focus group: Hanneke van Laarhoven
Clinical Research Support
Research themes: 1. Research support, clinical trials
Focus group leaders: Sonja Zweegman* (s.zweegman@amsterdamumc.nl) & Wiesje van der Flier* (wm.vdflier@amsterdamumc.nl)
Biocomputation Center
Research themes: 1. Cell to sample: Quantifying molecular and spatial heterogeneity, 2. Micro to macro: Modeling and imaging of disease progression and treatment outcome, 3. Building to understanding: Bridging ML modeling and interpretation in a clinical context.
Focus group leaders: Matthan Caan (m.w.a.caan@amsterdamumc.nl) & Mark van de Wiel (mark.vdwiel@amsterdamumc.nl)
Liaison between ORA and focus group: Hans Berkhof
* Also liaison between ORA and focus group
Would you like to contribute to this bold and innovative concept of combining oncology and neurology research? Did you see an interesting theme that fits with your research area? Contact us!
The focus groups are always open to receiving new inputs and invite interested and committed people to join the effort. You can contact the leaders of the focus groups or the scientific program manager Vania Lo Presti (:v.lopresti@amsterdamumc.nl)
If you have any other question regarding ADORE you can contact the secretary and fundraiser Ineke Lo Cascio (i.locascio@amsterdamumc.nl).
Click these links for more information on ADORE or Stichting ADORE.
Text by Vania Lo Presti