22 April 2025
New state-of-the-art flow cytometer unveiled at Erasmus MC
"The state-of-the-art device enables researchers to carry out further advanced research for the treatment of pancreatic cancer."
On Tuesday 22 April, Erasmus MC Executive Board member Paul Boomkamp unveiled a state-of-the-art spectral flow cytometer with cell-sorting capabilities. Paul Franke, chair of De Westlandse Ride, Support Casper director Sjoerd Zwanenburg and other guests attended the ceremony. Funds raised for Support Casper by De Westlandse Ride in 2024 helped finance the advanced instrument, which will support further research into cell and gene therapies for pancreatic cancer.
The Westlandse Ride 2024
Support Casper was the chosen charity of De Westlandse Ride in 2024. More than 1,000 people joined the 24-hour ride, other cycling routes and the Samen voor Hoop walk on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May. At the grand finale, organisers announced that the event had raised €235,000.
Flow Cytometer
Funds raised by De Westlandse Ride 2024 have enabled Erasmus MC to purchase a new flow cytometer. This advanced instrument allows researchers to analyse cells in depth and separate distinct subpopulations for individual study. It helps them characterise new cell therapies more precisely and assess the effectiveness of experimental treatments. By showing how the immune system of people with pancreatic cancer changes in response to treatment, the data can help researchers optimise future therapies.
About Support Casper
Cancer treatment has advanced greatly, yet the outlook for people with pancreatic cancer remains poor. After thirty years as a specialist at Erasmus MC, Professor Casper van Eijck has made finding better treatments his mission. Stichting Overleven met Alvleesklierkanker launched the Support Casper campaign in 2015 to fund pioneering research and raise awareness of the disease. Its aim is to make effective, affordable treatment available to patients by 2030. The research team’s work is already producing encouraging results in virotherapy and immunotherapy.