NWO Talent Scheme (Veni, Vidi, Vici)

Time is of the essence: multi-dimensional MRI for neurovascular imaging – Lena Vaclavu – 2022

Dr. Dr. L. Vaclavu
Department of Radiology
• NWO Veni 2022 – Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES)
• NWO contribution: EUR 280,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Every organ, and especially our brain, depends on a constant blood supply. The rate of blood supply, (perfusion) can be interrupted, or delayed by diseases of the blood vessels. MRI scans are used to measure how well and fast the brain receives blood. Unfortunately these scans are rarely used because they take too long, and the scans don’t properly present the information that the doctors need. In this proposal a new and quicker version of perfusion MRI scans will be developed, helping doctors to see the rate (strength and speed) of their patient’s blood supply.

Making oneself at home: How Salmonella hijacks the ubiquitin system to remodel its host cell endocytic architecture and dynamics – Virginie Stévenin - 2022

Dr. Dr. V.M.V. Stévenin
Department of Cell and Chemical Biology
• NWO Veni 2022 – Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 280,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Intracellular bacteria, like Salmonella, are bacteria that enter, reside, and replicate inside the cells of their host. To achieve this, bacteria can hijack intracellular molecular signals to remodel the host cell organization and form a membrane-bound bacterial niche. Ubiquitin is a small protein that allows cells to control their organization. The project interrogates how bacteria manipulate the host ubiquitin signals to reshape their host cell organization. Hence, this research may reveal a new mechanism by which bacteria establish their intracellular replicative niche.

Engineering of efficient and precise Cas12c base editor for genome editing – Prarthana Mohanraju - 2022

Dr. P. Mohanraju
Department of Department of Anatomy and Embryology
• NWO Veni 2022 – Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 280,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Gene editing has unprecedented potential in the development of new therapies. However, if efficiency, precision, and safety do not improve, this potential cannot be realized. With this research, I will combine the ingenuity of microbial mechanisms with my background in synthetic biology and regenerative medicine to develop a platform of knowledge and methods for efficiently developing new gene modification technologies. Additionally, I will demonstrate the proof-of-concept by looking at the therapeutic application for the genetic muscle disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Ultimately, this project will allow us to tap into the boundless potential of gene editing.

A Multi-Modality Imaging Approach – Ilona Dekkers - 2022

Dr. I.A. Dekkers
Department of Radiology
• NWO Veni 2022 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 280,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
This proposal aims to investigate the link between chronic kidney disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a major subtype of heart failure affecting millions worldwide. Using state-of-the-art imaging technologies, such as cardiac perfusion-PET/CT and kidney perfusion-MRI, I will study the interplay and evaluate the biomarker potential of microvascular function in the heart and kidneys in patients at risk of HFpEF. Additionally, I will evaluate the reliability of MRI for measuring kidney microvasculature, and apply it in a population-based imaging cohort to understand the impact of renal flow on cardiac structure and function in the general population.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts in oncolytic virus therapy: innocent bystanders or key players? – Vera Kemp - 2021

Dr. Vera Kemp
Department of Cell and Chemical Biology

• NWO VENI 2021 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 280.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Oncolytic virus therapy represents a promising anti-cancer approach, specifically targeting cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. Importantly, tumours are shaped by up to 90% of tumour-associated stroma, mainly consisting of cancer-associated fibroblasts. This project uniquely assesses how cancer-associated fibroblasts affect the efficacy of oncolytic virus therapy.

Dementia: yes or no? – Julie Rutten - 2021

Dr. J.W. Rutten 
Department of Clinical Genetics

• NWO VENI 2021 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 280.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Approximately 25 million individuals worldwide (1:300) have a specific genetic predisposition for stroke and dementia. However, only a minority of these individuals become demented. This study will analyse why some individuals get dementia at a young age, whereas others with the same genetic predisposition remain healthy up to an older age.

Rules of engagement: How do CD4 T-cells decide to help CD8 T-cells or B-cells? – Fiamma Salerno - 2021

Dr. F. Salerno 
Department of Immunology

• NWO VENI 2021 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 280.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
The immune system protects us against infections and cancer. We can boost the function of our immune cells by administering vaccines. I aim to identify key molecular cues in CD4 T-cells that may help optimize vaccination strategies by simultaneously improving the formation of cytotoxic CD8 T-cells and antibody-producing B-cells.

Tackling cardiometabolic diseases with intestinal hormones – Mariette Boon - 2020

Dr. M.R. Boon
Department of Internal Medicine / Endocrinology

• NWO VENI 2020 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Obesity is one of the largest health threats to modern society since it contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, combining two intestinal hormones in one pill proved to induce spectacular weight loss. I will study the consequences for cardiometabolic diseases and unravel the underlying mechanisms.

Repairing a broken clock in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit– Laura Kervezee - 2020

Dr. L. Kervezee
Department of Cell and Chemical Biology 

• NWO VENI 2020 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit receive feeding 24-h/day and are exposed to inadequate light-dark cycles. This disrupts their circadian clock and gets in the way of a speedy recovery. The researcher will try to strengthen the circadian clock by optimizing the timing of feeding and light exposure.

Age-related clonal hematopoiesis: the good and the bad of clonally expanding immune subsets – Erik van den Akker - 2019

Dr. Ir. E.B. van den Akker
Department of Biomedical Data Sciences / Molecular Epidemiology

• NWO VENI 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Virtually all exceptionally old individuals have an early form of blood cancer, yet, in contrast to middle-aged individuals, they do not seem to suffer from any adverse effects. What is their secret? This study investigates the protective mechanisms that make the extremely old capable to withstand the test of time.

Treatment of older patients with advanced melanoma - Towards personalized medicine – Nienke de Glas - 2019

Dr. N.A. de Glas 
Department of Medical Oncology

• NWO VENI 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Older patients with cancer are rarely included in immunotherapy trials, leaving oncologists with limited knowledge to make evidence-based treatment decisions. In this project, clinical, geriatric and immunological data will be generated to develop a prognostic model for the clinical benefit of immunotherapy in older patients with melanoma.

Through the eyes of AI: safe and optimal integration of Artificial Intelligence in Radiology – Irene Hernández Girón - 2019

Dr. I. Hernández Girón
Department of Radiology

• NWO VENI 2019 - TTW
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Artificial intelligence will shift the Radiology paradigm, supporting and even replacing radiologists in their diagnostic tasks. There is a risk that these technologies are applied without proper knowledge by users. This research will create a framework to validate and safely integrate artificial intelligence into the clinical workflow.

Deciphering and targeting pathogenic IgG4-responses – Maartje Huijbers - 2019

Dr. M.G.M. Huijbers 
Department of Neurology

• NWO VENI 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
IgG4 is a peculiar antibody. It doesn’t activate inflammatory responses and, in contrast to other antibodies, binds two different antigens. This project will investigate whether the unique properties of IgG4 contribute to the development of IgG4-mediated autoimmune diseases and whether IgG4 immune cells can be therapeutically targeted specifically.

Challenging the elderly brain – Sophie Schmid - 2019

Dr. Ir. S. Schmid 
Department of Radiology

• NWO VENI 2019 - TTW
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Vascular components contribute significantly to neurodegeneration in the elderly and constitute one of the first changes, long before clinical symptoms become overt. The researcher aims to develop MRI tools suitable for use in a clinical setting to assess the status of the vasculature in the brain in a non-invasive way.

Besieging the biofilm fortress – Bart Pijls - 2019

Dr. B. Pijls
Department of Orthopaedics

• NWO VENI 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 250.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
The main problem with infected implants is that microorganisms are organized in a biofilm, a fortress, protecting them against our immune system and antibiotics. I will use non-invasive induction heating to kill the micro-organisms and damage the biofilm fortress walls in order to cure the infection.

VACCINAGE: understanding reduced vaccine responses in older adults – Simon Jochems - 2022

Dr. S.P. Jochems
Department of Parasitology
• NWO Vidi 2022 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
As we age, our susceptibility to infections increases. At the same time, vaccinations that can protect against disease such as pneumonia are less effective in older adults. This project uses state-of-the-art immunological methods and unique sampling to identify the underlying causes, which can contribute to improving vaccine effectiveness in older adults.

COMPOSE: combined imaging for ocular oncology – Jan-Wilem Beenakker - 2021

Dr. J.W.M. Beenakker,
Departments of Ophthalmology & Radiology and Radiotherapy
• NWO Vidi 2021 – AES
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
In this research new technologies will be developed to combine photographs of the inside of the eye with three-dimensional imaging, as is used for radiotherapy planning. To achieve this combined image, the researchers will develop methods to correct for the aberrations introduced by the eye’s optics. By combining these imaging techniques, the researchers aim to further improve therapy for ocular oncology so patients preserve more visual function after therapy.

The enigmatic triangle of cluster headache, sleep and the biological clock – Rolf Fronczek - 2021

Dr. R. Fronczek
Department of Neurology
• NWO Vidi 2021 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
People with cluster headache suffer from such excruciating pain attacks that the disease has often been called ‘suicide headache’. As the attacks often strike during sleep, patients desperately beg for normal night-rest. This inquiry clarifies how cluster headache attacks are related to sleep and the biological clock; and whether two therapies that specifically work on this can give people with cluster headache a good night’s sleep again.

Exploiting gamma-delta (gd) T cells as innovative agents of cancer immunotherapy – Noel de Miranda - 2021

Dr. N.F. de Miranda
Department of Pathology
• NWO Vidi 2021 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Cancer immunotherapy makes use of cells or molecules from our immune system to fight cancer. It is a very successful strategy to treat cancer but not yet effective in the majority of cancer patients. To extend the benefit of cancer immunotherapy to more patients new immunotherapeutic approaches must be developed. This project aims at exploring the potential of a type of immune cell (gamma delta (gd) T cell) that shows great promise as a novel immunotherapeutic agent.

Protein Dress Up gone wrong – Monique Mulder - 2021

Dr. M.P.C. Mulder
Department of Cell and Chemical biology
• NWO Vidi 2021 – Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Posttranslational modification of proteins, such as for instance the attachment of the ubiquitin protein, regulates many biological cellular processes. These modifications are controlled by a complex enzymatic system, with more dan 700 players in the ubiquitin network, and disruption within these systems could lead to diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Detailed insights into the mechanism behind this is however yet to be obtained, thus slowing the development of targeted medicines for treatment of these diseases. The researchers aim to develop chemical tools to finally unravel the workings of these systems paving the road towards medical treatment.

A gut feeling about rheumatoid arthritis – Diane van der Woude - 2021

Dr. D. van der Woude
Department of Rheumatology
• NWO Vidi 2021 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a fault in the immune system, that takes a wrong turn years before disease onset. However, the factors that reinforce the abnormalities in the immune system and ultimately lead to disease are still unknown. This project will shed light on the role of gut content (such as food and microbes) in driving the immune system further down the path towards rheumatoid arthritis. This will provide clues as to whether in the future, a change in diet or a new treatment to modulate gut content, may be able to prevent this disease.

Finding a recipe to fabricate cell types on command – Anna Alemany - 2020

Dr. A. Alemany
Department of Anatomy and Embryology

• NWO Vidi 2020 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
All cells in our body share the same genetic information but have different functions and morphologies. The understanding of how the different identities are originated will make us better at generating desired cells from patient-derived stem cells. Here, researchers will investigate the mathematical rules of cell identity establishment.

Malaria parasites taking the tollway – Meta Roestenberg - 2020

Prof. Dr. M. Roestenberg
Department of Parasitology

• NWO Vidi 2020 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
An effective malaria vaccine is urgently needed. Malaria parasites that are genetically altered cannot cause disease but can be used to train the immune system. To make genetically altered parasites into a very potent vaccine, researchers aim to improve better recognition of the parasite-vaccine by the immune system.

Digging beyond the surface – understanding chronicity in rheumatoid arthritis – Ulrich Scherer - 2020

Dr. H.U. Scherer 
Department of Rheumatology

• NWO Vidi 2020 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that will flare when treatment is stopped. Researchers discovered that specific immune cells remain chronically active in patients despite treatment. Here, researchers will use single-cell technology to unravel this immunological disease activity and search for ways to silence it, thereby halting chronicity.

Developing cutting-edge treatments to combat early hereditary blindness – Camiel Boon- 2019

Prof. Dr. C.J.F. Boon 
Department of Ophthalmology

• NWO Vidi 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a relatively common hereditary eye disease, for which there is no treatment. XLRS causes severe vision loss or even blindness in childhood. I will develop a cure for XLRS in experimental models that mimic the disease, based on patient-specific stem cells and an animal model.

Unraveling the role of dystrophin in the brain – Maaike van Putten - 2019

Dr. M. van Putten
Department of Human Genetics

• NWO Vidi 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients suffer from behavioural and learning problems due to a lack of dystrophin in the brain. The researcher will study, in cultured human brain cells, how lack of dystrophin results in abnormalities and to what extent deficits can be remedied by a therapy aimed to restore dystrophin synthesis

Finding a needle in the cellular haystack – Thom Sharp - 2019

Dr. T. Sharp 
Department of Cell and Chemical Biology

• NWO Vidi 2019 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Recent advances in microscopy now allow us to see individual proteins within whole cells. However, cells are so densely packed with molecules that finding the desired protein is like looking for a needle in a haystack. This proposal aims to combine different microscopy techniques to solve this problem, and in doing so, answer long-standing questions in immunology, such as “how does our immune system first interact with germs?”

Inflammation without infection – Annemarthe van der Veen - 2019

Dr. A.G. van der Veen 
Department of Immunology

• NWO Vidi 2019 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
A sterile inflammatory response occurs in the absence of a pathogenic disease, in response to one’s own molecules. This occurs when our immune system fails to distinguish between our own molecules (self) and foreign molecules (non-self), leading to self-directed autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The researchers will investigate the triggers underlying sterile inflammation.

Immune cells under control of sugars – Bart Everts - 2018

Dr. B. Everts
Department of Parasitology

• NWO Vidi 2018 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Recent observations suggest that in immune cells, certain sugars can change protein activity by binding to them, which can subsequently lead to changes in immune cell function. This project will investigate how this exactly works and explore whether that knowledge can be utilized for therapeutic purposes.

A struggle for control – Gerbrand van der Heden-van Noort - 2018

Dr. G.J. van der Heden-van Noort 
Department of Cell and Chemical Biology

• NWO Vidi 2018 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 800.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
The localization and activity of cellular proteins are regulated by dynamic post-translational modifications. It turns out these modifications are also modified themselves, leading to a novel hidden layer of control. The researchers aim to develop chemical tools to study these complex processes in detail.

Unmasking BRCA1’s Janus face in preventing tumour formation – Sylvie Noordermeer - 2018

Dr. S.M. Noordermeer 
Department of Human Genetics

• NWO Vidi 2018 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 800,000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Faulty activities of the BRCA1-protein lead to tumour formation. BRCA1-activity depends on binding to many other proteins. However, it remains unclear how this is regulated. The researcher proposes to study why, when and where BRCA1 binds to those proteins and what effect disruption of the interactions has on tumour formation.

Commensal Immune Modulators (CIM) boost PROtective immunity against respiratory Viral infections (CIMPROV) – Hermelijn Smits - 2022

Prof. dr. H.H. Smits
Department of Parasitology

• NWO Vici 2022 – ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 1.500.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Severe viral respiratory infections often occur in infants, older people or lung patients, leading to hospitalization or even death. Here, molecules of microorganisms from the gut flora are studied for their capacity to improve immunity against viruses in the nose leading to better protection against disease.

Stop-fix-go: dealing with roadblocks on the gene-track – Martijn Luijsterburg - 2021

Dr. S.M. Luijsterburg
Department of Human Genetics

• NWO Vici 2021 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 1.500.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
Protein machines that read our genes get stuck on damage in the DNA template. DNA damage must first be repaired before these protein machines can continue. How this works is currently unknown. The researchers will use genetic, cell biological and genome-wide methods to unravel how these processes work.

Damage during DNA replication: chromatin to the rescue! – Haico van Attikum - 2018

Prof. Dr. H. van Attikum
Department of Human Genetics

• NWO Vici 2018 - Science
• NWO contribution: EUR 1.500.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
An essential step of cell division is the replication of our DNA. Damage to our DNA, however, can hamper this process. The researchers will investigate how DNA replication is regulated in the presence of DNA damage and determine the role of chromatin, the packaging material of our DNA, therein.

Can cells change sex?– Susana Chuva de Sousa Lopes - 2018

Dr. S. Chuva de Sousa Lopes 
Department of Anatomy and Embryology 

• NWO Vici 2018 - ZonMw
• NWO contribution: EUR 1.500.000
• Start date: TBC - End date: TBC
• Host institution: LUMC

Short public summary:
During development, human cells make all organs and cell types, but can only generate one type of germline. Female cells can only make eggs and male cells only make sperm. Can we discover what regulates this process in humans and induce human stem cells to change sex in a dish?