Twentysix groundbreaking research projects launched via the Open Competition Domain Science – XS

Description

The NWO Domain Board Science has awarded 26 applications in the Open Competition Domain Science - XS. Each project could apply for a maximum of 50.000 euros. The themes vary from research into volcanos, developing techniques for navigation of drones, sustainable chemical techniques and using an electronic nose to detect multiple sclerosis. The XS category emphatically strives to encourage curiosity-driven and bold research involving a relatively quick analysis of a promising idea. The next deadline is on 26 October, 14:00:00 CEST. NWO is working on a new call for proposals to continue the Open Competition Domain Science – XS in 2022.

The summaries of the approved projects are listed below in alphabetical order:

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Finding new ways to kill pathogenic fungi

Dr. S. Billerbeck (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Fungal pathogens pose a threat to human health and food security. Very few antifungals are available, and resistance to these is rising. There is an urgent need for new antifungals that feature new modes of killing action. Yeasts – such as our common baker’s yeast and related species – have evolved a large set of functionally diverse toxic proteins to compete against fungi in the environment. The researchers will develop a workflow that can reveal how these toxins kill pathogenic fungi and how different their killing strategies are. This knowledge could be used to develop new antifungals with diverse modes of action.

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Building a minimal cell cycle clock in the test tube

Dr. J.L. Kamenz (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Cell division is a fundamental process that is the basis of all uni- and multicellular life. At its core, the cycle of cell growth and cell division is thought to be driven by a negative feedback loop consisting of only a handful of proteins. We aim to assemble this central cell cycle clock from its individual parts taking a systematic bioengineering approach. If we succeed, we will gain new insights into this important process, if we fail it will lay open current gaps in our knowledge.

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