Four scientists from the Hubrecht Institute and the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht have been awarded a prestigious VICI grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The researchers will each receive 1.5 million euros enabling them to do research over a period of five years.
Professor Alexander van Oudenaarden is co-director of the Hubrecht Institute. He is developing the latest technology for determining the genetic properties of individual cells. He is able to identify individual fluorescently labeled mRNA molecules and therefore measure gene expression with extreme accuracy. This is important for the identification of rare cells, such as stem cells and in order to better understand the heterogeneity in tumors. For his research, Van Oudenaarden was also awarded a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant of 2.5 million euros last week. The ERC grant is awarded by the European Union to innovative scientists.
Dr. Susanne Lens of the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht is researching cell division in cancer cells. She wants to find out how cells ‘know’ when they have enough chromosomes. If something goes wrong in this process, then cells with too many or too few chromosomes develop. This can be a cause of cancer.
Professor Leonard van der Berg of the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht is conducting large-scale research into the genetic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients with this incurable disease suffer from increasing muscle weakness. Being able to identify the disease genes will point the way to mechanisms on which new treatments can be developed.
Professor René Ketting of the Hubrecht Institute and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University is researching how small RNA molecules influence genetic expression. In this way, small RNA molecules are known to regulate embryonic development but they also influence functioning in adult organisms.
This year 236 researchers applied for a VICI grant. From this, 188 researchers were invited to submit their grant proposals in more detail. A total of 31 scientists will receive a VICI grant. This means that 13 percent of the applicants have been awarded a VICI grant.