Vidi grant for 3 RIMLS researchers

1 June 2018

Three RIMLS researchers received each 800,000 euros to develop an innovative research project and to build up their own research group. NWO (The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research) is awarding the Vidi grant as part of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme.

Vidi is aimed at excellent researchers who have been producing successful research for a number of years since obtaining their PhD. These academics are among the best 10 to 20 percent in their field. A Vidi will allow them to conduct research for a period of five years. In this way, NWO stimulates curiosity-driven and innovative research.

Information about the RIMLS scientists and their research is given below.

How to read the genome

Simon van Heeringen (FNWI), theme Cancer development and immune defense.
A fertilized egg cell develops into a complete organism with many different cell types. How is this encoded in the genome? Biologists will compare the development of different animals. Using ‘big data’ they will train computer algorithms to understand cellular decisions. This knowledge will be essential for regenerative medicine.

Why do healthy people die of the flu?

Frank van de Veerdonk, theme Infectious diseases and global health
A pandemic is inevitable and will cost millions of lives including many healthy adults. Deadly complications of the flu are fungal infection or a life-threatening inflammatory response. This research will identify why these complications happen and can lead to treatment that can save lives during a severe flu season.

A microchip-based toolbox to treat osteoporosis

Alireza Dolatshahi-Pirouz, theme Reconstructive and regenerative medicine
Due to the aging population new innovations are needed for dealing with osteoporosis the most common disability among today’s elderly. Regenerative medicine can address this challenge through hydrogel- based stem cell therapies. The goal is to develop a toolbox for testing thousands of such therapies in a single experiment.