Nineteen innovative research projects awarded through Open Competition Domain Science-M programme

Description

The NWO Domain Board Science has approved nineteen grant applications in the Open Competition Domain Science-M programme. The topics vary from the consequences of hybridization within sea turtles, mapping wind, clouds and wind stress over the sea, understanding the complexities of the human brain through a cinematic approach, to molecular band aids to stop the bleeding, identifying unknown proteins in cryo-electron microscopy densities using AI, and developing a new technology for a digital calorimeter. M-grants are intended for innovative, high-quality, fundamental research and/or studies involving matters of scientific urgency.

The following applications have been approved (in alphabetical order, by author):

Molecular band aids to stop the bleeding
Dr Ir Ruben Bierings & Prof Dr Geert van den Bogaart (EMC/RUG)
Upon injury, bleeding is stopped by the coagulation protein Von Willebrand Factor. Blood vessels have to produce and secrete large amounts of this protein. In this proposal the cellular processes contributing to this are studied using a new microscopy technique, which will help development of future treatments for bleeding disorders. 

.............

Synthetic fuel cell from biomolecular components
Prof Dr Bert Poolman (RUG)
Biological life is driven by fluxes of energy and matter in cellular systems that are hugely complex in their composition and structure. The exchange of molecules between cells and the environment requires well-balanced fluxes to support growth and homeostatic conditions. We design and study such ‘out-of-equilibrium’ systems, to resolve the minimal mechanisms that allow a living cell to sustain itself. We construct synthetic cells with dual membrane systems for sustainable production of ATP, generation of a proton motive force and pH homeostasis, using a bottom-up molecular systems approach. 

.............

About the NWO Open Competition Domain Science-M

M-grants are intended for realising curiosity-driven, fundamental research of high quality and/or scientific urgency. The M-grant offers researchers the possibility to elaborate creative and risky ideas and to realise scientific innovations that can form the basis for the research themes of the future. There are three categories of M-grants: M-1 (one scientific position), M-2 (two scientific positions in collaboration) and M-invest (investments) that are assessed in competition with each other.

In this M-round (package 22-5), a total of 72 grant applications were evaluated, of which 54 M-1 proposals, 17 M-2 proposals and 1 M-invest proposal. The NWO Domain Science Board decided to award four M-2 proposals and fifteen M-1 proposals.

Contact

For more information about the Open Competition Domain Science – M, please contact Linda Jongbloed or Merijn Blaakmeer,  [email protected], +31 (0)70 349 4600 or +31 (0)70 349 4182