prof. dr. Jai Prakash PhD

About Jai Prakash

Prof. Dr. Jai Prakash is Full Professor and Research Group Leader of Advanced Bioengineering and Therapeutics at Radboudumc. He is an internationally recognized expert in nanomedicine, bioengineering, and tumor microenvironment research, with a strong focus on translating fundamental discoveries into clinical applications for cancer patients.

He obtained his PhD cum laude (top 5%) in Drug Targeting from the University of Groningen and has since built his academic career spanning leading institutions including Radboudumc, the University of Twente, Karolinska Institutet, and Harvard University. His research integrates nanotechnology, advanced biomaterials, and engineered 3D cancer models to study complex tumor–stroma interactions, therapy resistance, and treatment response, with particular emphasis on pancreatic cancer.

Driven by a strong valorisation mindset, Prof. Prakash founded ScarTec Therapeutics, a spin‑off company translating peptide‑based stromal‑targeting therapies toward the clinic. He is also the founder and chair of the NanoTME Society, which organizes the biennial international conference Nanomedicine Meets the Tumor MicroEnvironment, supporting global collaboration between academia, clinics, and industry.

Prof. Prakash is Principal Investigator of an ERC Advanced Grant (2024, €2.5 million) entitled OpenMatrix, which aims to re-engineer the tumor matrix to advance cancer immunotherapy. His work has resulted in important peer‑reviewed publications, multiple international patents, and several technologies progressing toward clinical translation.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Prof. Prakash plays an active role in shaping the research landscape through service on international grant panels, editorial boards, and scientific advisory committees. His long‑term ambition is to accelerate the translation of bioengineered therapeutic technologies from the laboratory to patients, contributing to more effective and personalized cancer treatment strategies.

Key Publications:

Mardhian DF, Pednekar KP, Hemdan AG, Kuninty PR, Karim SA, de Winter S, Metselaar JM, Morton JP, Prakash J. (2026) Engineered cyclic peptide targeting ITGA5 disrupts tumor-stroma interaction to overcome desmoplasia and resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, Jan;16(1):305-321.

Prakash J and Shaked Y. (2024) The Interplay between Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Cancer Therapeutics. Cancer Discovery14 (8): 1375–1388.

Heinrich MA, Uboldi I, Kuninty PR, Ankone MJK, van Baarlen J, Zhang YS, Jain K, Prakash J. Microarchitectural mimicking of stroma-induced vasculature compression in pancreatic tumors using a 3D engineered model. Bioactive Materials. 2022 Sep 24;22:18-33.

Priwitaningrum DL, Pednekar K, Gabriël AV, Varela-Moreira AA, Le Gac S, Vellekoop I, Storm G, Hennink WE, Prakash J. (2023) Evaluation of paclitaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in 3D tumor model: impact of tumor stroma on penetration and efficacy. Drug Delivery and Translational Research 2023 May;13(5):1470-1483. doi: 10.1007/s13346-023-01310-1.

Kuninty PR, Binnemars-Postma KA, Jarray A, Pednekar K, Heinrich MA, ten Hoopen H, Storm G, van Hoogevest P, den Otter WK, Prakash J. (2022) Cancer immune therapy using engineered ‛tail-flipping’ nanoliposomes targeting alternatively activated macrophages. Nature Communications. 13, 4548.

Rodrigues J, Heinrich MA, Leijten MA, Prakash J. (2021) 3D in vitro model (r)evolution: unveiling the tumor-stroma interactions. Trends in Cancer 17; S2405-8033 (20) 30283-1.

Kuninty PR, Bansal R, De Geus G, Mardhian DF, Schnittert J, van Baarlen J, Storm G, Bijlsma M, van Laarhoven H, Metselaar JM, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer A, Ostman A, Sier CFM, Prakash J. (2019) ITGA5 inhibition in pancreatic stellate cells attenuates desmoplasia and potentiates efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.Science Advances Sep 4;5(9):eaax2770. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax2770.

Heinrich MA, Bansal R, Lammers T, Zhang YS, Schiffelers RM, Prakash J. (2019) 3D-Bioprinted Mini-Brain: A Glioblastoma Model to Study cellular interactions and therapeutics. Advanced Materials. 31(14):e1806590.

Expertise

• Tumor-stroma interaction and immune microenviornment
• Nanomedicine and targeted drug delivery systems
• Stroma-targeted imaging and therapeutics
• Engineered Immunotherapy
• Fibrosis and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)
• Translational, personalized and precision cancer therapy
• Bioengineering and advanced 3D cancer models
• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)