97 leading researchers receive Vidi grants

Description

Researchers from the Science (ENW), Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) domains, as well as Health, Research and Development (ZonMw) will receive Vidi grants of up to 800,000 euro. This will enable the laureates to develop an innovative line of research over the next five years and further expand their own research group.

The researchers are working on a variety of topics. For example, Sebastiaan van Heesch (Prinses Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology) will investigate the role of ‘mini-proteins’ in the development of brain cancer in children. These recently discovered mini-proteins will be detected for the first time and assessed for their suitability for the development of new cancer therapies.  Samira van Bohemen (EUR) will seek to understand why people enjoy stereotypes in online pornography. And how can we effectively prevent its harmful effects on young people? The process of creating objects from 3D model data promises to reduce energy consumption and production waste. Jun Wu (TUD) aims to help the design and manufacturing process deliver on this promise by introducing the time dimension in determining the production sequence. And what are the right conditions for successful obesity prevention? Joreintje Mackenbach (VUmc) wants to unravel the ways in which commercial companies influence policy and examine the conditions under which the government (can) introduce stricter policies.

This is just a small sample of the innovative Vidi research that has been awarded in this round.

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How viruses change the function of archaeal cells

Dr. T.E.F. Quax,    University of Groningen

Archaea are the most recently discovered domain of life. These micro-organisms thrive in many environments, from hydrothermal vents to our gut. Viruses infect archaea. During infection, viruses change the behavior of micro-organisms, for example by altering the cell surface. This results in increased attachment to materials or an escape from the human immune system. These changes are hardly mapped for archaeal viruses. This project will unravel the underlying mechanisms, stimulating the development of methods to characterize and manipulate the virus-induced changes in archaea. It will thus contribute to application of archaea in bioenergy-production and restoring the balance in our gut.

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NWO Talent programme

The NWO Talent Programme gives researchers the freedom to pursue their own research based on creativity and passion. The NWO Talent Programme encourages innovation and curiosity. Curiosity-driven research contributes to and prepares us for tomorrow’s society. That is why NWO focuses on diversity in terms of researchers, domains and backgrounds. Together with the Veni and Vici grants, Vidi is part of the NWO Talent Programme.

NWO selects researchers based on the academic quality and innovative character of the research proposal, scientific and/or societal  impact of the  proposed project and the quality of the researcher.