Cem Ince (born 1961) is a Turkish-Dutch physician and prominent researcher in the field of critical care medicine, particularly known for his pioneering work on microcirculation and the endothelial glycocalyx. He holds professorships at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC), University of Amsterdam, and Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam.
Biography and Career Born in Turkey, Cem Ince moved to the Netherlands and pursued his medical education and career there. He completed his medical degree and Ph.D. at Erasmus University Rotterdam. His early research focused on oxygen transport and the role of the microcirculation in critical illness.
Ince has held significant academic positions throughout his career. He was appointed Professor of Translational Physiology at the Department of Anesthesiology at the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, which later became part of the Amsterdam UMC. He also maintains an active role as a Professor at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
Research and Contributions Professor Ince's research has significantly advanced the understanding of microcirculatory dysfunction in various critical conditions, including sepsis, shock, and cardiac surgery. His key contributions include:
- Development of Imaging Techniques: He is credited with developing and refining sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging and incident dark field (IDF) imaging microscopy, techniques that allow for real-time, non-invasive visualization of the microcirculation at the bedside in critically ill patients.
- Microcirculatory Dysfunction: His work has demonstrated that microcirculatory abnormalities are common in sepsis and other forms of shock, often preceding systemic hemodynamic deterioration and contributing to organ dysfunction. He has highlighted that even when macro-hemodynamics are corrected, the microcirculation may remain impaired, a concept termed "loss of hemodynamic coherence."
- Endothelial Glycocalyx: Ince's research has emphasized the crucial role of the endothelial glycocalyx, a protective layer on the surface of endothelial cells, in maintaining vascular integrity and regulating microvascular flow. He has shown that the glycocalyx is damaged early in critical illness, contributing to fluid leakage and inflammation.
- Clinical Implications: His findings have profoundly influenced clinical practice in critical care, advocating for therapies that not only optimize systemic hemodynamics but also specifically target and improve microcirculatory perfusion and preserve the endothelial glycocalyx.
Affiliations and Recognition Cem Ince is a highly cited author in his field and a frequent speaker at international conferences. He has supervised numerous Ph.D. students and post-doctoral fellows, contributing to the development of a new generation of researchers in critical care and microcirculation. He is actively involved in international research collaborations and medical societies.