Juan J. Garcia Vallejo

Immune System CytOMICs

New methods have recently been developed that enable us the simultaneous detection of up to 45 markers on single cell suspensions. Mass cytometry (cytometry by time-of-flight or cyTOF) allows us to achieve a cytomics level knowledge in complex diseases with an immunological component, such as cancer and autoimmunity. Our group focuses in the implementation of analytical and biocomputational methods that allows us the identification of biomarkers that can predict the response of cancer patients to immunotherapy and, ultimately, contribute to identifying effective therapeutic cellular targets. We currently focus on glioblastoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, two cancer types with dismal prognosis and where preliminary results indicate that immunotherapy may be a promising approach. Our greater goal is using technology-minded immunological research methods to assist clinicians in the implementation of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Key publications

Duinkerken S, van Kooyk Y, Garcia-Vallejo JJ. Human cytomegalovirus-based immunotherapy to treat glioblastoma: Into the future. Oncoimmunology. 2016; 5 (9): e1214791.

Garcia-Vallejo JJ, van Kooyk Y. DC-SIGN: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Immunity. 2015; 42 (6): 983-5.

García-Vallejo JJ, Ilarregui JM, Kalay H, Chamorro S, Koning N, Unger WW, Ambrosini M, Montserrat V, Fernandes RJ, Bruijns SC, van Weering JR, Paauw NJ, O'Toole T, van Horssen J, van der Valk P, Nazmi K, Bolscher JG, Bajramovic J, Dijkstra CD, 't Hart BA, van Kooyk Y. CNS myelin induces regulatory functions of DC-SIGN-expressing, antigen-presenting cells via cognate interaction with MOG. J Exp Med. 2014; 211 (7): 1465-83.

van Kooyk Y, Kalay H, Garcia-Vallejo JJ. Analytical tools for the study of cellular glycosylation in the immune system. Front Immunol. 2013; 4: 451.

Garcia-Vallejo JJ, van Kooyk Y. The physiological role of DC-SIGN: a tale of mice and men. Trends Immunol. 2013; 34 (10): 482-6.

For a total overview of the publications of dr. J.J. Garcia Vallejo, see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Garcia-Vallejo+JJ

Contact details: Email jj.garciavallejo@vumc.nl; Phone 020-4448259