Creating synergy between education, research, and biotech industry
Effective collaboration between academic and commercial stakeholders is pivotal in advancing knowledge, developing human capital, bridging the gap between bench and bedside, and addressing global health challenges. Together with Mimetas, a biotech company specialized in advanced 3D in vitro models, we will organize a research-based biomedical laboratory course. In this course, together with researchers/teachers from the UMC Utrecht and researchers from Mimetas, students will do fundamental research on enhancing cancer (immuno)therapy, using advanced 3D in vitro models of colon, breast and brain cancer. This research and teaching will be executed in the student laboratory Biomedicine Student Research Hub at UMC Utrecht. This lab is well-equipped with molecular and cell biological expertise.
Students gain first-hand exposure to research, establish connections with researchers and industry partners, and develop essential academic skills. Industry gains data that can directly feed into their early (lead) discovery pipeline and paves the way for development of human capital and a brighter future where knowledge is actively applied to tackle pressing health challenges, benefitting all stakeholders involved.
This project potentially results in a good practice for other companies to participate in future editions. In sum, our approach fosters a sustainable synergy between industry, research, education, and society.
