Rios group

Group leader: Dr. Anne Rios

Dr. Rios developed a unique imaging technique to visualize intact organ/tumor in 3D, encompassing the entire tissue, down to a sub-cellular resolution within a single biological sample. Her group is now implementing this 3D methodology and other advanced imaging techniques (e.g. intravital, live cell and multiplex imaging) to decipher the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing pediatric cancer progression and treatment response. Several research lines have been set up for different (pediatric) cancers, including Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG). We focus on the interaction of the tumor with its micro-environment and leads that this could provide for cancer targeting. We develop new organoid-based models with increased cellular complexity to study such interactions. In addition, we combine imaging and computational strategies to dissect the mode-of-action of cellular immunotherapies that are now increasingly applied to treat cancer. We hope that this can lead to the identification of therapeutic targets to further enhace their efficacy. 

An innovation in our research line is the development of a 3D-stereo-display that uses 3D-glasses to immerse the public inside our imaging data. We believe that this inventive visualisation and our Art&Science initiatives are a strong asset to engage the community into the fight against cancer and create a new trend in communicating science to the scientific community and the public.