Timo De Groof

Timo De Groof is a Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), specializing in the Molecular Imaging and Therapy group within the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. His research focuses on nanobody-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications in immuno-oncology, particularly targeting immune checkpoints, tumor-associated macrophages, and viral proteins. He holds a PhD from VU University Amsterdam (2015–2019) and has extensive postdoctoral experience in nanobody development.

Key roles include co-promoting major interdisciplinary projects like the INTEGRAL consortium (2025–2029), which integrates immunotherapy, molecular imaging, and drug development. He has secured grants totaling over €5M, including FWO and MZW funding for nanobody-based therapeutics and imaging tools.

Dr. De Groof’s work spans 50+ peer-reviewed publications, 8 scientific awards (e.g., AIMMS 2018, FIGON DMD 2017), and 7 datasets in repositories like Zenodo. His lab collaborates internationally on projects like CD8+ T-cell imaging, AXL-targeted AML therapy, and pannexin1 inhibitors for liver injury.

Notable contributions include developing CD163-specific nanobody tracers for macrophage imaging, anti-US28 nanobodies against HCMV, and uPAR-targeted fluorescent probes for surgery. He supervises 4 graduate students and advises on clinical translation of nanobody technologies.