Member Spotlight: Ton Rabelink, MD, PhD

Ton Rabelink, MD, PhD
Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands

Current Residence
Leiden

Graduate Degree
MD, PhD

Post-Graduate Work
PhD in physiology, Utrecht University (Utrecht, the Netherlands)

Current Position
Professor of Internal Medicine, Chair of the department of Internal Medicine and Nephrologist at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC); Leiden Node Director of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW; Figurehead of the route Regenerative Medicine for the National Dutch Science Agenda; Co-founder and CSO of the non-for-profit cell and gene therapy company Necstgen

ISSCR Participation
Speaker during the Metabolism, Stem Cells, and Cancer Concurrent Session at the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting

• What is the current focus of your research?

  The current focus of our research is on trying to grow and regenerate kidney tissue ex vivo. Using state of the art technologies, we specifically focus on the way cell metabolism and metabolite exchange in the tissue microenvironment drive cell fate decisions towards differentiation, repair and injury. We are not only studying the fundamental science behind this but are also committed to apply this knowledge further in developing novel therapies for patients with chronic kidney diseases.

• How would you explain the significance of this work to a lay audience?

  Renal failure is major global health challenge and in patients with end-stage renal failure transplantation is currently the only option to regain a reasonable quality of life. If one day we are able to grow, differentiate and preserve kidney tissue in the laboratory, we could deploy this as an alternative source for transplantation of renal tissue. This would significantly reduce mortality for patients that are waitlisted for organ transplantation.

• What do you find most rewarding about your work?

  Being a researcher, it is the interaction with my team. A lot of reverse mentoring is going on there and I feel privileged to work with so many talented people.

  Being a doctor, it is very satisfying to keep pushing the envelope and experience that over time we are now able to treat conditions for which 15 years ago there were no options.

• What led you to become a scientist and to stem cell research?

  I suppose in a way I have always been a scientist. As a kid I was truly fascinated by biology, and when in medical school I realized that a better understanding of biology could also help advance the awful position that my patients are in.

• What guidance would you share in talking with trainees interested in pursuing your area of research?

  Be curious and passionate! See the beauty of nature unfold in your research. And on top of that, you may perhaps also be able to make a difference in the lives of patients.

• Do you have any mentors or individuals who have inspired you in your stem cell work?

  Melissa Little was a great inspiration for me to help bridge the gap between the clinical reality of working as a physician in transplant medicine and harnessing the developmental codes that can restore organ function.

• How do you spend your free time?

  I spend my free time as much as possible in the mountains (even though I live in a flat country). Since my young years I have been passionate about mountaineering and skiing, and I basically still spend every holiday in the Alps. When at home I like to cycle.

• What excites you most about ISSCR 2025 in Hong Kong?

  I believe meeting in China adds a dimension to the event. Over the last decade China has developed a very competitive and innovative research ecosystem and the country has become a major player in the stem cell field and science in general. ISSCR 2025 will help showcase this and foster collaborations.

• What do you most value about your membership with the ISSCR?

  The fact that the society is so multidisciplinary, which unlocks insights and technology from different angles. And its ambition to globally connect and advance the field.