I joined Genentech in 1995 to set up a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facility dedicated to experimental research. Since the inception of the MRI facility, it has grown to include a range of biomedical imaging modalities in addition to MRI, including MicroCT and imaging techniques using fluorescence probes. Our mission is to help realize the therapeutic potential of our scientific discoveries.

I was attracted to Genentech, in part, because of its progressive philosophy to drug discovery. Combining state-of-the-art technology with innovative biology represented a unique opportunity to develop and apply novel in vivo imaging techniques to enhance preclinical research.

• My Focus

  The Biomedical Imaging Group is involved in a number of collaborative projects central to Genentech's discovery research program. In vivo imaging techniques are used in many late-stage research projects in the areas of oncology, immunology and vascular biology. The majority of our research efforts are focused on gaining an understanding of in vivo physiology and drug action from a knowledge of the biophysics of the biological process.

  For example, we are developing ways to assess tissue perfusion and blood vessel morphology in order to evaluate the potential for VEGF and other growth factors as part of our therapeutic angiogenesis initiative. This is achieved using a number of approaches, including functional MRI imaging techniques to measure skeletal muscle metabolism and blood flow as well as angiographic techniques to demonstrate large vessel blood velocity.

• Publications

  • Anti-inflammatory strategies for plaque stabilization after acute coronary syndromes

    Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 2013, ISSN: 1523-3804

    Baruch, Amos; van Bruggen, Nicholas; Kim, Juyong Brian; Lehrer-Graiwer, Joshua E

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  • FDG-PET is a good biomarker of both early response and acquired resistance in BRAFV600 mutant melanomas treated with vemurafenib and the MEK inhibitor GDC-0973

    European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research, 2012, ISSN:

    Baudy, Andreas; Dogan, Taner; Flores-Mercado, Judith; Hoeflich, Klaus; Su, Fei; Van Bruggen, Nicholas; Williams, Simon

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  • Death Receptors DR6 and TROY Regulate Brain Vascular Development

    Developmental cell, 2012, ISSN: 1534-5807

    Tam, Stephen J; Richmond, David L; Kaminker, Joshua S; Modrusan, Zora; Martin-McNulty, Baby; Cao, Tim C; Weimer, Robby M; Carano, Richard A D; van Bruggen, Nick; Watts, Ryan J

  • Metabolic disease: Amelioration of type 2 diabetes by antibody-mediated activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1

    Science Translational Medicine, 2011, ISSN: 1946-6234

    Wu, Ai-Luen; Phamluong, Khanhky; Feng, Bo; Peterson, Andrew S.; Sonoda, Junichiro; Kolumam, Ganesh; Zavala-Solorio, Jose; Kates, Lance; Van Bruggen, Nicholas; Stawicki, Scott; Chen, Yongmei; Kim, Hok Seon; Yansura, Daniel; Wu, Yan; Li, Jun; Marsters, Scot; Filvaroff, Ellen; Li, Li; Leabman, Maya; West, David; Wong, Anne; Stern, Howard; Luis, Elizabeth

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  • Inaugural Article: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor promotes lung metastasis through mobilization of Ly6G+Ly6C+ granulocytes.

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010, ISSN: 1091-6490

    Kowanetz, M.; Wu, X.; Lee, J.; Tan, M.; Hagenbeek, T.; Qu, X.; Yu, L.; Ross, J.; Korsisaari, N.; Cao, T.; Bou, R.H.; Kallop, D.; Weimer, R.; Ludlam, M.J.; Kaminker, J.S.; Modrusan, Z.; van Bruggen, N.; Peale, F.V.; Carano, R.; Meng, Y.G.; Ferrara, N.

  • Noncompartmental Kinetic Analysis of DCE-MRI Data From Malignant Tumors: Application to Glioblastoma Treated with Bevacizumab.

    Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2010, ISSN: 1522-2594

    Port, R.; Bernstein, L.; Barboriak, D.; Xu, L.; Roberts, T.; van Bruggen, N.

  • Vessel Imaging with Viable Tumor Analysis for Quantification of Tumor Angiogenesis.

    Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2010, ISSN: 1522-2594

    Ungersma, S.; Pacheco, G.; Ho, C.; Yee, S.; Ross, J.; van Bruggen, N.; Peale, F, Jr.; Ross, S.; Carano, R.

  • PlGF Blockade Does Not Inhibit Angiogenesis during Primary Tumor Growth.

    Cell, 2010, ISSN: 1097-4172

    Bais, C.; Wu, X.; Yao, J.; Yang, S.; Crawford, Y.; McCutcheon, K.; Tan, C.; Kolumam, G.; Vernes, J.M.; Eastham-Anderson, J.; Haughney, P.; Kowanetz, M.; Hagenbeek, T.; Kasman, I.; Reslan, H.B.; Ross, J.; Van Bruggen, N.; Carano, R.A.; Meng, Y.J.; Hongo, J.A.; Stephan, J.P.; Shibuya, M.; Ferrara, N.

  • Quantifying antivascular effects of monoclonal antibodies to vascular endothelial growth factor: insights from imaging.

    Clinical Cancer Research, 2009, ISSN: 1078-0432

    O'Connor, J.P.B.; Carano, R.A.D.; Clamp, A.R.; Ross, J.; Ho, C.C.K.; Jackson, A.; Parker, G.J.M.; Rose, C.J.; Peale, F.V.; Friesenhahn, M.; Mitchell, C.L.; Watson, Y.; Roberts, C.; Hope, L.; Cheung, S.; Reslan, H.B.; Go, M.A.T.; Pacheco, G.J.; Wu, X.M.; Cao, T.C.; Ross, S.; Buonaccorsi, G.A.; Davies, K.; Hasan, J.; Thornton, P.; del Puerto, O.; Ferrara, N.; van Bruggen, N.

  • Molecular and functional imaging in drug development.

    , 2010, ISSN:

    van Bruggen, N.; Fine, B.; Rudin

  • PET of Glial Metabolism Using 2-¹⁸F-Fluoroacetate

    Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2009, ISSN: 0161-5505

    Marik, J.; Ogasawara, A.; Martin-McNulty, B.; Ross, J.; Flores, J.E.; Gill, H.S.; Tinianow, J.; Vanderbilt, A.N.; Nishimura, M.; Peale, F.; Pastuskovas, C.; Greve, J.M.; Van Bruggen, N.; Williams, S.P.

  • Preclinical evaluation of carcinoembryonic cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) 6 as potential therapy target for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

    Journal of Pathology, 2009, ISSN: 1096-9896

    Strickland, L.A.; Ross, J.; Williams, S.; Ross, S.; Romero, M.; Spencer, S.; Erickson, R.; Sutcliffe, J.; Verbeke, C.; Polakis, P.; van Bruggen, N.; Koeppen, H.

• Education
  • Imperial Cancer Research Fund, United Kingdom, Research Fellow – 1991
  • University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, Department of Chemistry, Ph.D. – 1987
  • University of London, United Kingdom, University College London, Medicinal Chemistry, B.S. – 1984
• Awards & Honors
  • Imperial Cancer Research Fund –
  • The Royal Society –
  • The British Council –