Posted on

€425,000 Grant to Develop Organoids for Studying Rheumatoid Arthritis

Last month, on the 28th of June 2024, Amsterdam UMC announced that Tas Group received a grant from ReumaNederland, a foundation supporting research on rheumatoid arthritis.

Grant to study Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tas Group has received a grant of €425,000 from ReumaNederland. With this grant, the group will developorganoids that imitates the inflamed tissue from the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (the most common inflammatory disease of the joints). Ultimately, they aim to test the effects of different treatments in the laboratory thus predicting the therapy response of individual patients. This research is paving the way to a future with more human-centered research and personalized treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

About Tas Group

Tas Group, led by Prof. Dr. Sander Tas and Dr. Jan Piet van Hamburg, mimics the rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue by using multicellular 3D systems that recapitulate the cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions and key pro-inflammatory mediators present in the inflamed synovium. Their organoid approach can be used to test the effects of novel diagnostic (molecular imaging) and therapeutic compounds, including small molecule inhibitors and biologics. At the same time, by using human-based models, Tas Group paves the way for animal-free research.

Posted on

ORCAU Annual Symposium 2023

On Thursday, 23rd of November 2023, ORCAU hosted an annual symposium at the Amsterdam UMC. The programme of the symposium included keynote presentations from experts, a round-table discussion, and poster presentations that highlighted some of the extraordinary work that is being done at the Amsterdam UMC. 

The ORCAU Annual Symposium is intended for researchers who are working with human organoids and organotypic models within the Amsterdam UMC. The symposium serves as an opportunity for researchers to showcase the work that they are doing with human organoids and to network with other scientists working within the field. 

The symposium was opened by Prof. Dr. Hans van Goudoever. The line-up of keynote speakers included Dr. Wendy Dankers, Prof. Eric Reits, Dr. Vivi Heine, and Dr. Harsha Devalla, and panelists of the round-table discussion included Dr. Juan Garcia Vallejo, Dr. Michel van Weeghel, Dr. Peter Henneman, and Prof. Eric Reits. 

Opening by Prof. Dr. Hans van Goudoever
Keynote presentation by Dr. Wendy Dankers
Keynote presentation by Dr. Harsha Devalla
Keynote presentation by Prof. Eric Reits
Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt asking a question during a keynote presentation
Panelists of the round-table discussion

During the event, Debby Weijers, director of Stichting Proefdiervrij (the Dutch Society for the Replacement of Animal Testing ) gave a brief introduction of the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge; a program that helps scientists set up a venture plan that will push forward animal-free scientific research. She also introduced the winner of the 2023 Venture Challenge, VEO, which consisted of researchers from the Amsterdam UMC.

Debby Weijers introducing the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge
VEO, Winner of the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge 202

At the symposium, seven posters were presented by PhD students and technicians working within the Amsterdam UMC. Attendees of the event were encouraged to engage by the posters.  

Nina Johannesson (left) & Eline Freeze (right)
Giulia Moreni (left) & Joep Korsten (right)
Jantine van Voorden
Shicheng Ye
Dr. Katja Wolthers viewing a poster
Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt engaging by a poster
Ellie Wagstaff

We would like to thank Stichting Proefdiervrij, ISOGEN, and STEMCELL Technologies for sponsoring our event. We look forward to hosting the next annual symposium. 

Are you interested in joining ORCAU? Contact organoidcenter@amsterdamumc.nl. 

Posted on

Organoid Center Amsterdam UMC (ORCAU) Annual Symposium

We are pleased to announce that on the 23rd of November 2023 at 12 PM, ORCAU will host its annual symposium. This event will take place at Collegezaal 4, Amsterdam UMC location AMC. At this symposium, we have put together an exciting programme highlighting some of the extraordinary organoid work at the Amsterdam UMC. During this event, there will be keynote presentations from experts, a round-table discussion, and an opportunity to present posters. Additionally, the event will kick-off with a lunch and will conclude with a drinks and networking session. 

To see the full programme, click here.

Interested?

If you would like to be a part of the programme, you can submit an abstract before the 30th of September 2023. Please email abstracts to organoidcenter [@] amsterdamumc.nl. For questions, please contact the organization committee using the same email address.

Are you interested in learning more about human organoid technology and how they can be applied in research? Register before the 15th of October 2023 for ORCAU’s upcoming symposium! *Only limited spots available.

About ORCAU

Within Amsterdam UMC, researchers and their team gathered to form an organoid center that enables the use of human organoids and organotypic models for studying human biology and tackling human diseases. The Organoid Center Amsterdam UMC (ORCAU) aims to connect experts in organoid technology, train researchers and disseminate organoid research.

At the moment, ORCAU consists of 14 research groups operating within Amsterdam UMC. These include the Bijlsma Group, CEMM – Molecular Oncology, Complex Ophthalmogenetics, DigeST, Environmental control of the immune system, Immunohematology, Huntington Disease proteostasis group, LEXOR, Lisa van Baarsen Lab, OrganoVIR Labs, Skinlab, RIRE (renal injury and repair), Stem Cell Biology, and Tas Group.

Register here
Posted on

Site launch

The ORCAU website is live!

Donec pharetra lorem eget neque varius efficitur. Nulla vehicula nibh a porta rutrum. Maecenas vel sem eget nisl pellentesque mollis eu ac sem. Praesent sodales ante at urna finibus, non blandit nisl lacinia. Praesent et turpis et est facilisis placerat. Nullam nec finibus nibh, a condimentum tellus. Sed elit mauris, viverra vitae dolor et, elementum luctus lorem. Nam maximus tortor eu aliquam sodales.