First Dutch edition of HypoxEU Connect at NKI, focusing on hypoxia in cancer biology

On 23 September, the first Dutch edition of HypoxEU Connect will take place at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam. During this afternoon symposium, researchers, early-career scientists, and industry experts from the Netherlands and abroad will come together to share the latest insights into the role of tumor hypoxia in cancer biology. The event is part of the broader HypoxEU movement, a European initiative that places oxygen biology at its center and promotes collaboration among researchers at all stages of their careers. Through presentations, interactive discussions, and live demonstrations of innovative hypoxia workstations, HypoxEU Connect aims to foster knowledge exchange and contribute to improved applications in patient care.

From webinars to an international platform

HypoxEU began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when researchers struggled to make their work visible. “We started with a series of webinars so that researchers could continue sharing their results,” says Dr. Krista Rantanen, head organizer of HypoxEU Connect and co-founder of HypoxEU.

In a short time, HypoxEU grew into the leading international network for research on the impact of oxygen variations on biological processes. “Through initiatives in Europe, the US, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, HypoxGlobal connects researchers worldwide to accelerate progress in this field,” explains Rantanen.

Traveling format: compact and focused meetings

Today, HypoxEU is recognized as the leading movement in Europe for oxygen biology, combining webinars with physical meetings. The traveling format, HypoxEU Connect, brings top experts to local research centers. “By keeping the events small and thematically focused, we create space for in-depth discussion on the biological effects of oxygen variations. In Amsterdam, we follow the same model: a carefully curated program with ample opportunity for interaction,” Rantanen adds.

Support for early-career researchers

A key mission of HypoxEU is to connect young and established researchers. Thanks to partners like The Baker Company, young scientists can attend free of charge. The Baker Company has been a leader for over 40 years in developing research technologies for hypoxia, ranging from large, custom-built workstations—such as the nearly three-meter-long installation at NKI—to compact systems for smaller labs.

“With oxygen-controlled workstations, we can study tumor hypoxia in a controlled, user-friendly environment. This provides new insights into tumor behavior and therapy resistance, ultimately contributing to better treatments for patients,” explains Apostolos Menegakis, senior postdoc at NKI. Baker Company equipment is considered the gold standard worldwide and supports groundbreaking research, including Nobel Prize–winning studies.

Compact and interactive program

The symposium in Amsterdam consists of three scientific presentations and interactive discussions. Dr. Leila Akkari, winner of the prestigious Ammodo Science Award, will speak on “Macrophage Diversity in Brain Cancer: The Blueprint of Niche and Hypoxic Imprints.” Dr. Kasper Rouschop, an expert in hypoxia-induced autophagy and vesicle-mediated communication, will present on “Cellular Dialogues in Stress: Hypoxia, Autophagy, and Extracellular Vesicles.” Prof. Dr. Sandra Heskamp, specializing in nuclear imaging, will give a lecture on “Carbonic Anhydrase IX-targeted nuclear imaging and therapy of chronic hypoxic cancer cells.”

“The format with around one hundred participants is intentionally small to encourage real interaction,” says Menegakis, event host. Visitors will also be able to attend a live demonstration of a hypoxia workstation in the NKI lab. “It’s not just about sharing knowledge, but also giving young researchers the opportunity to learn directly from experienced colleagues and work with the instruments that make this research possible,” emphasizes Rantanen.

The Netherlands Cancer Institute as host
Founded in 1913, NKI in Amsterdam is a world-leading center that combines scientific research with patient care. With over 650 researchers and 185 medical specialists, the institute is renowned for its close collaboration and rapid translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical applications. “Thanks to the advanced workstations from The Baker Company, we can better unravel the complexity of tumors. This makes NKI the ideal location for this event,” says Menegakis.

Hypoxia in tumor biology

Research into tumor hypoxia is challenging but crucial: patients with highly hypoxic tumors often respond poorly to treatments. “Our goal is to translate laboratory discoveries into new treatment strategies,” explains Menegakis. Tumors grow without a fully developed vascular network, leaving parts of the tumor chronically oxygen-deprived. This changes cancer cell behavior, making them more aggressive and therapy-resistant. HypoxEU Connect provides a platform to discuss these mechanisms and explore new approaches. “By pooling knowledge and experience, we ensure that scientific insights have a real impact on cancer treatment,” adds Menegakis.

Registration

Researchers, students, and professionals who wish to participate in HypoxEU Connect in Amsterdam can register via the official event website. Attendance is open to everyone and focuses on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and progress in oxygen biology and tumor hypoxia.