Prof. Peter Friedl

Peter Friedl. M.D., Ph.D. is directing the Microscopical Imaging Centre of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands and, from 2011 to 2023, held a joint-faculty position at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Dr. Friedl received his M.D. degree from the University of Bochum, Germany in 1992 and the Ph.D. degree from the McGill University, Montreal in 1996. In 2002, he was board-certified as clinical dermatologist and 2003 as allergologist. 

He applies advanced microscopy and molecular intervention in 3D culture and preclinical tumor models to identify their response to molecular targeted and immunotherapy. He received numerous awards for advancing microscopy in the fields of cancer metastasis, host response to material and innovative 3D assays, including the Felix-Wankel Animal Protection Award (1994), the German Cancer Award (2008), the Award of the Advancement of Science (2014) and the European Molecular Imaging Award (2016). Research summary: His research interest is in applying innovative 3D models and engineered matrices to uncover the mechanisms and plasticity of cell migration in immune regulation and cancer metastasis, with emphasis on cell-matrix adhesion, pericellular proteolysis and cell-cell communication during migration. His laboratory identified pathways determining diversity and plasticity of cell migration, collective cancer cell invasion, and the contribution of migration pathways to immune defense and cancer resistance. His discoveries have provided a nomenclature for the different types of cell migration and their roles in building and (re)shaping tissue, with emphasis on inflammation, regeneration and cancer. His therapeutic preclinical studies focus on the intravital visualization of niches and mechanisms and strategies to overcome therapy resistance.