On January 30th, 2025, Oncode Institute hosted its first masterclass of the year, Recent Developments in (Single-Cell) Proteomics, at UMC Utrecht. Co-organized by Michiel Vermeulen and Harmjan Vos, the event brought together 46 researchers, including 18 from outside Oncode Institute, fostering valuable cross-institutional collaboration.
Exploring Cutting-Edge Proteomics
The masterclass introduced participants to the latest in single-cell mass spectrometry-based proteomics - an emerging field enabling high-resolution protein analysis. This technology is transforming research on protein homeostasis, tumor heterogeneity, and immune oncology. The program combined expert talks, a guided tour of UMC Utrecht’s single-cell proteomics facility, and ample networking opportunities.
Harmjan Vos kicked off the day with an introduction to mass spectrometry-based proteomics, covering key principles, instrumentation and modern data acquisition techniques. Erwin Schoof followed with insights into single-cell proteomics for blood cell lineage development. Suzan Stelloo showcased proximity biotinylation technologies in chromatin biology, while Charlotte van Gelder demonstrated the use of single-cell proteomics in 3D gastruloid structures. Sebastiaan van Heesch explored the dark proteome in immunopeptidomics, and Jeroen Demmers highlighted the relevance of targeted LC-MS/MS approaches in gene regulation and neurodevelopment. The session closed with Jeroen Krijgsveld’s talk on nascent proteome analysis in cancer research.
The day ended with a guided tour of UMC Utrecht’s proteomics facility, where participants engaged hands-on with cutting-edge technologies. One attendee noted, “The facility tour was a key highlight, providing valuable insights into advanced equipment and methodologies.”
Strengthening Community & Collaboration
Beyond scientific insights, the masterclass fostered an interactive and collaborative atmosphere. Participants appreciated the engaging discussions, networking breaks, and openness to the wider Dutch scientific community. As one researcher put it, “A fun day with great speakers, plenty of time for networking, and good interaction!”
The event underscored the growing impact of single-cell proteomics in cancer research. Recent breakthroughs have firmly established this technology as a powerful tool in the field, and we’re excited to see what’s next.
Looking Ahead
This masterclass reaffirmed the value of Oncode Institute’s training program in keeping researchers at the forefront of technological advancements. Future events will continue to build on this momentum, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the scientific community.
We look forward to welcoming even more researchers - both within and beyond Oncode Institute - at our upcoming events.
Organize your own masterclass
Are you inspired to organize a masterclass on a cutting-edge topic? Oncode Institute welcomes researchers to take the lead in creating engaging and insightful events.
If you have an idea and would like support in organizing a workshop, please reach out to Colette ten Hove at [email protected].