The department’s research programme is called Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM).

CEM focuses on three research themes:

1. Hormones and Metabolism

2. Vascular Health and Aging

3. Transplantation, Infection and Immunity

Each research theme harbours three to four research groups, amounting to a total of ten research groups that each have a laboratory.

All research groups are connected by four cross-connections in order to stimulate intradepartmental collaboration and share resources and expertise. For sustainability, each cross-connection is based on a business case and has dedicated research personnel. 

I. The Trial Bureau facilitates and supports clinical trials and utilizes revenues from industry-sponsored trials to support investigator-initiated studies. 

II. Genomics aims to extend the possibilities of genetic testing from populations to patient cohorts; the scientists who coordinate this cross-connection are also part of the Erasmus MC Genomics Core Facility.

III. Nutritional Assessment enables researchers to apply state-of-the-art technologies to assess nutritional status, including bio-impedance, muscle ultrasound and indirect calorimetry; this cross-connection benefits from the fact that all dietitians are embedded within our department. 

IV. Human Disease Models integrates in vitro and ex vivo models to study human disease, including organ-on-chip technologies and organoids.