MSc Tom de Wit

Research

My main topic of research is the interaction between human dendritic (DC) cells and T cells.  I focus on monitoring tumor antigen-specific CD8 T-cells using a co-culture system with primary cells, mimicking in vivo antigen crosspresentation and T cell priming. We use this system to identify tumor-specific CD8 T cells and new tumor antigens.

My other duties are upholding the safety and functionality of our high-standard MLII lab, ordering supplies for our research group and contributing to an efficient working environment.

The intricate interactions of the immune system have always fascinated me, as well as the spectrum of complexity found within the immune populations. The research activities at the group of Prof. Jannie Borst, under the supervision of assistant professor Dr. Yanling Xiao and close collaboration with my colleague Xin Lei have provided me with many possibilities to extend and improve my knowledge, while providing a meaningful contribution to the oncology and immunology fields. 

Curriculum vitae

I obtained my Bachelor degree in Life science at InHolland in Amsterdam and my Master degree in Biomedical Sciences at Maastricht University. During my last internship there, in the group of Dr. L.J. Dubois at the department of Radiation Oncology, I studied the effect of radiotherapy in combination with several immune therapies in cancer treatment. Since February 2018, I have received a position in Prof. Jannie Borst’s group, and work as a research technician under the supervision of assistant professor Dr. Yanling Xiao, first at the Netherlands Cancer Institute and since July 2019 at Leiden University Medical Center.