Prof. Dr René E. M. Toes

I completed my studies in Medical Biology at the Free University in Amsterdam in 1989 and began my doctoral research in 1991, which was completed in 1996 at Leiden University. The title of my dissertation was 'Modulation of tumoricidal T cell responses against adenovirus-induced tumors.' Following that, I worked as a “Postdoc” at the LUMC, specializing further in the fundamental aspects involved in immune responses. In 1998, as a Fellow of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, I worked at the Department of Immunology at the University of Tübingen for one and a half years. Since 2001, I have been the head of the Laboratory for Experimental Rheumatology at the LUMC. I was appointed as full professor in Experimental Rheumatology in 2010. Currently, I also serve as the chair of the graduate school council at the LUMC, chair of the scientific advisory board of foundation MS-Research, and as a member of several scientific councils/boards.

Despite significant advancements in the treatment of many of these diseases in recent times, most autoimmune diseases can still not be cured or prevented. Patients often suffer greatly from their chronic illness, significantly impacting the way they can lead their lives. We focus on understanding how and why the immune system derails and starts attacking the body’s own tissues causing the development of autoimmune diseases. We also strive to develop methods that address the auto-reactive immune response with the aim to restore the immune system to a healthy balance. The goal of our research is to comprehend the origins and evolution of the autoimmune response underlying rheumatic autoimmune conditions. By identifying the causes of disease, the research intends to contribute to earlier and better treatment of autoimmune diseases, with the ultimate aim of curing or preventing them in the future.