University Medical Center Groningen

About

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) stands at the forefront of medical robotics, AI-assisted healthcare, and minimally invasive surgical innovation, establishing itself as one of Europe's premier institutions for translational research at the intersection of technology and clinical medicine. With a research portfolio spanning robotic surgery, smart materials, autonomous medical systems, and advanced imaging, UMCG consistently bridges laboratory discovery with real-world patient care. The institution has made landmark contributions to surgical robotics, including rigorous clinical evaluation of robot-assisted procedures such as prostatectomy, esophagectomy, and distal pancreatectomy — with its participation in the internationally recognized DIPLOMA trial demonstrating the oncological safety of minimally invasive approaches. Researchers at UMCG have also pioneered micro- and millirobotic systems, including magnetically steered soft grippers, snake-inspired untethered robots, and bio-inspired millirobots for targeted drug delivery and endovascular intervention, garnering hundreds of citations and international recognition. UMCG's strength extends into AI and machine learning applications in oncology, where radiomics-based analysis of PSMA PET imaging for prostate cancer risk stratification has reshaped diagnostic workflows. Complementing this, the center explores human-in-the-loop optimization of human-robot interaction and autonomous anesthesia systems, reflecting a deep commitment to intelligent clinical decision support. In radiotherapy and image-guided interventions, UMCG has advanced real-time intrafraction motion monitoring and robotic CT-guided tumor ablation, improving precision across multiple cancer treatments. With internationally collaborative, high-impact research and state-of-the-art facilities supporting rehabilitation robotics and augmented reality in surgery, UMCG offers an exceptionally dynamic environment for prospective students and global collaborators seeking to transform medicine through technology.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Influence of steep Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory homeostasis during robotic prostatectomy

   256 citations · 2010
2. 2
   Augmented and virtual reality in spine surgery, current applications and future potentials

   224 citations · 2021
3. 3
   Real-time intrafraction motion monitoring in external beam radiotherapy

   219 citations · 2019
4. 4
   Machine learning-based analysis of [18F]DCFPyL PET radiomics for risk stratification in primary prostate cancer

   135 citations · 2020
5. 5
   Stimuli-Responsive Soft Untethered Grippers for Drug Delivery and Robotic Surgery

   123 citations · 2017
6. 6
   Minimally invasive versus open distal pancreatectomy for resectable pancreatic cancer (DIPLOMA): an international randomised non-inferiority trial

   121 citations · 2023
7. 7
   Bio-Inspired Terrestrial Motion of Magnetic Soft Millirobots

   114 citations · 2019
8. 8
   Flexible Instruments for Endovascular Interventions: Improved Magnetic Steering, Actuation, and Image-Guided Surgical Instruments

   112 citations · 2018
9. 9
   On human-in-the-loop optimization of human–robot interaction

   105 citations · 2024
10. 10
    Contactless acoustic micro/nano manipulation: a paradigm for next generation applications in life sciences

    102 citations · 2020

Faculty & Researchers

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