The Van Rheenen group studies the identity, behavior, and fate of cells that drive the initiation and progression of cancer. These cell populations are rare, and their behavior (e.g. migration) and traits change over time. To study these dangerous cells, Jacco and his group developed microscopy techniques to visualize individual cells in real-time in whole bodies. With these techniques, they have uncovered multiple important factors within the single cell heterogeneity that are crucial in the processes of tissue homeostasis, tumor initiation and tumor progression.
Jacco van Rheenen joined the NKI as a senior group leader in 2017. He also leads a research group at Oncode Institute. In 2014, he was appointed professor in Intravital Microscopy at Utrecht University/UMCU. He has received various awards and prestigious research grants, among which the Dr. Josef Steiner Cancer Research Foundation Award and an ERC consolidator Grant.
