Grants Veni October 2011
Below, you will find a list of awarded researchers, their dates and places of birth, and the name of the University or Research Center that hosts their research. Please note: the researchers do not have to make a final choice for a University or Research Center until after their projects are approved.
See also the press release: NWO awards Veni grants: 159 researchers can start
A through L
Intestinal bacteria as the cause of rheumatism
Dr S. (Shahla) Abdollahi-Roodsaz (f) Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre - Rheumatology
Rheumatism is a severe joint disease caused by the body's own immune system. Our immune system is strongly influenced by intestinal bacteria. The researchers will study the interaction between intestinal bacteria, the immune system and rheumatism, and analyse which bacteria via which process cause the disease.
Zipping proteins cause initial problems in Parkinson’s disease
Dr S. (Sanne) Abeln (f) 1982, VU University Amsterdam - IBIVU
Parkinson's disease is caused by proteins zipping together in long chains. Just like with real zips, joining up the first few teeth (proteins) is difficult but after that the zipping proceeds quickly. Avoiding the initial zipping can therefore prevent the disease. The mechanism of the starting protein zip will be unravelled using combined computer simulations and experiments.
What can we learn from old greenhouse rivers?
Dr H.A. Abels (m) 1980, Utrecht University – Earth Sciences
Global warming changes the temperature and precipitation on land. Clay and sand archives in North America that are 53 million years old contain information about climate changes during brief extremely warm periods. In this study we will investigate exactly what happened.
The psychological consequences of unconscious behaviour
Dr M.A. (Marieke) Adriaanse (f) 1983, Utrecht University – Clinical and Health Psychology
We cannot explain much of our behaviour as it starts unconsciously. The researchers will study the emotional consequences of this missing explanation and the efforts people make to explain their unconscious behaviour in retrospect.
Politicians and the media: who takes the lead?
Dr W.H. (Wouter) van Atteveldt (m) VU University Amsterdam – Communication Science Politicians need the media to reach their public, whereas journalists need politicians as a source of news. Who takes the lead: do the media dominate the political debate or are they merely a toy in the hands of deft politicians?
Inflammatory rheumatism: towards prevention
Dr E.G.M. (Lisa) van Baarsen (f) Amsterdam Medical Center/University of Amsterdam – Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
Some people have antibodies in their blood that are associated with an increased risk of developing inflammatory rheumatism. The molecular changes in joints and lymph glands of these people at risk will be investigated. Ultimately the aim is to develop a preventative therapy.
Invisible light helps plastic solar cells to work better
Dr A.A. (Artem) Bakulin (m) AMOLF
Being able to print plastic solar cells as easily as you can print a newspaper. It is a dream that could become a reality if electricity could be conducted by plastic without any barriers. The researchers will use infrared light to identify and remove these barriers.
Quantum transport in novel heterogeneous layered materials
Dr A. (Amelia) Barreiro (f) Delft University of Technology – Applied Physics
A new method to exploit the wide range of strongly layered materials and create novel 2D-materials is proposed. It will also provide a novel pathway for producing heterogeneous systems, as the layering structure can be used to control the electronic properties.
Strange materials in the body
Dr Y.M. (Yvonne) Bastiaansen-Jenniskens (f) Erasmus University Rotterdam Medical Center - Orthopaedics
Plastic, metal or ceramic materials can be used in the body to treat diseases. These materials can cause inflammation and/or pain. In this study a method will be developed to test materials and treatments for their reactions.
Predicting prehistoric landscapes
Dr R. (Roy) van Beek (m) Leiden University – Archaeology
Prehistoric humans lived in a continually changing landscape. With the help of computer simulations the researchers will map these changes. That will provide insights into the dynamics of previous living environments. The same knowledge is also important for the future protection of our archaeological heritage.
Placebo effects of marketing campaigns
Dr (Bram) van den Bergh (m) Erasmus University Rotterdam - Marketing Management
Simply the belief that expensive products are better than cheap ones can change the observed quality of the same product. Researchers will determine how long such placebo effects from marketing campaigns persist over time.
How bacteria are destroyed
Dr J. (Jovanka) Bestebroer (f) University Medical Center Utrecht – Cell biology
Bacteria are recognised by immune system cells, engulfed and destroyed. The researchers will analyse how bacteria in the cell are recognised so that a better destruction can be elicited. They will also examine how bacteria can avoid this process.
Shipping and financing
Dr C.J. (Christiaan) van Bochove (m) Utrecht University – Social and Economic History
The economy and society cannot survive without money transfer. Prior to industrialisation the Netherlands had no modern banks, however. This study will show how boat skippers organised the money transfers between towns. The many waterways and the strongly organised transportation of people and goods made this possible.
Protein nanopores as nanoreactors
Dr A.J. (Arnold) Boersma (m) University of Groningen - GBB
The researchers will construct a protein nanopore in a new manner so that these proteins can be used as nanoreactors. In the nanopores the most important chemical conversions will be studied and this will provide insights that cannot be obtained using existing techniques.
Smelling of obesity
Dr S. (Sanne) Boesveldt (f) Wageningen University and Research Centre
The smell of food, especially the fat it contains, plays an important role in eating behaviour. This project will investigate to what extent the brains of obese people respond differently to food smells. Then the researchers will try to influence the eating behaviour of slim people as a model for eating.
Deep recessions - dynamic multiple thresholds with endogeneity
Dr O. (Otilia) Boldea (f) University of Tilburg - Econometrics
'This is not your father's recession'- Paul Krugman, 2009. The aim of this project is to develop a statistical methodology for identifying and quantifying the key differences between the current recession and those in the recent past.
Family migration policy in Germany, France and the Netherlands
Dr S.A. (Saskia) Bonjour (f) Leiden University - Institute for History
Why have European countries allowed in many thousands of family migrants since the 1950s while stating that they did not want to be immigration countries? This research will look for the answer to this question in the archives of German, French and Dutch government ministries and parliaments.
How environmental factors shape life
Dr F. (Filipe) Branco dos Santos (m) VU University Amsterdam - Bioinformatics
Life develops in a continuously changing environment. Using mathematical models and more than 1000 generations of evolution experiments in the lab, the researcher will explore how changing environmental factors have shaped life.
Consciousness and our brain
Dr J.W. (Jan) Brascamp (m) University of Amsterdam - Cognitive Neuroscience
How does conscious observation arise from brain processes? Brain scientists investigate this using visual illusions in which the observation varies: the same image appears to keep changing slightly. Researchers measure which brain activity is associated with this changing observation to discover how the brain processes determine conscious observation.
Embedding sustainable diversity in organisations
Dr M.C.L. (Marieke) van den Brink (f) Radboud University Nijmegen - Institute for Management Research
Diversity policy in Dutch organisations is hardly effective in the longer term. This study will build a theoretical framework for organisational change by studying several successful initiatives. Which strategies, networks and sources do individual initiators of change use to ensure that their own learning process about diversity is sustainably embedded in organisations?
Bombardments of cosmic neutrinos on the moon
Dr S. Buitink, University of Groningen – Nuclear Physics Accelerator Institute (KVI)
The earth is continually subjected to bombardments of cosmic particles. Where do these come from and how are they produced? These are important questions in astrophysics and new detection methods are needed to find the answers. In this study a technique will be developed to measure the bombardment of cosmic neutrinos on the moon using the revolutionary Dutch radio telescope LOFAR.
Nazarius' eulogy of Constantine the Great
Dr D.W.P. (Diederik) Burgersdijk (m) Radboud University Nijmegen – Institute for Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies
During the rule of Constantine the Great the Gallic orator Nazarius held an official speech to the emperor. The speech contains important information about the state of the Roman empire in the early fourth century, when Christianity started to make rapid advances. This project will investigate the carefully crafted speech as a literary product and a reflection of its time.
Nature 2.0
Dr B.E. (Bram) Büscher (m) Erasmus University Rotterdam - Institute of Social Studies
Interactive ‘web 2.0’ and social media are increasingly being used to get people involved in nature conservation. People are encouraged to create nature online and in so doing to support nature conservation organisations and their interventions. This project will investigate the new phenomenon of Nature 2.0 and how this relates to local nature conservancy and development issues in Southern Africa.
Climate change, extreme droughts and biodiversity conservation
Dr J. (Jofre) Carnicer (m) University of Groningen - Community and Conservation Ecology Group (COCON)
Climate change is causing more frequent and warmer extreme drought events that impact European biodiversity. The researchers will quantify the response of forests, birds and butterflies to extreme droughts using demographic and genetic techniques.
Software-defined radio: dream to reality
Dr Y. (Youngcheol) Chae (m) Delft University of Technology - Microelectronics
Software-Defined Radio (SDR) uses digital signal processing for flexible wireless communication, but the lack of a suitable analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) is hindering the realisation of SDR. A flexible ADC for SDR could be realised using large-scale parallel, energy-efficient 'oversampling' ADCs.
Helping surgeons during operations by lighting up tumours with nanoparticles
Dr P.T.K. (Patrick) Chin (m) Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek Hospital – Radiology
Very small particles of conductors or semiconductors can emit various colours of light. In this study it will be investigated how these particles can be made and used to light up cancer tumours so that surgeons can see these better during operations.
Restricting the free market
Dr R.J.G. (Rutger) Claassen (m) Leiden University– Political Science
Free market forces are objected to in many contexts. Consequently markets are often regulated to protect vulnerable public interests. That does not always happen in a consistent and convincing manner, however. This research will study the underlying normative criteria for regulation with the aim of realising a politico-philosophical theory to legitimise interventions in the free market.
Beyond New Jerusalem
Dr S. (Stefan) Couperus (m) Utrecht University - History
Following their destruction by bombs, Rotterdam, Coventry and Le Havre became post-war icons of welfare and reconstruction. These cities were rebuilt after 1945 according to the idealistic images of planners, at least that is the prevailing view. Yet this research will reveal that a systematic approach to changing urban spaces already existed well before 1945. Bombs and planners were not decisive factors in this respect.
Blood stem cells and their neighbours
Dr M. (Mihaela) Crisan (f) Erasmus University Medical Center - Erasmus Stem Cell Institute (ESI), Cell Biology
Blood stem cells develop in the embryo under the influence of special helper cells in their vicinity but the role of these helper cells is unclear. By selectively removing helper cells the researchers will analyse their effect on the blood stem cells.
Social climate and prosociality in chimpanzees
Dr K. (Katherine) Cronin (f) Max Planck Institute - Comparative Cognitive Anthropology Group
Scientists will study the natural behaviour of four semi-wild chimpanzee populations to determine how the social climate affects the expression of helping behaviour in one of our closest relatives.
Information tracking system for mirror neurons in the brain
Dr E.S. (Emily) Cross (f) Radboud University Nijmegen - Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour
Our own physical experience facilitates our understanding of other people's actions. Yet how do we understand unknown actions? This project will test a reformulation of the theory about mirror neurons in order to provide a better explanation of the interaction between action and perception.
How do molecules crystallise?
Dr A.J. (Aurora) Cruz-Cabeza (f) University of Amsterdam – Computational Chemistry
Drug molecules are usually delivered as crystals in tablets. Molecules can often crystallise in different crystal structures, with different properties, and these crystal structures are often achieved through changes in crystallisation conditions. Using molecular modelling, this research project aims to understand the pathways by which molecules crystallise.
Balancing social and economic rights in the EU
Dr M. (Mark) Dawson (m) Maastricht University - International and European Law
In recent years, EU law has faced increasing conflict between social rights (such as universal healthcare and education) and economic rights (such as free movement of goods, workers and services in the EU). This research project will examine how courts and policy makers interact in balancing these rights.
Searching for inflammatory proteins that cause diabetes
Dr A. (Abbas) Dehghan (m) Erasmus University Rotterdam Medical Center – Epidemiology
One-third of the cases of diabetes are caused by chronic inflammation. However, which inflammatory proteins are responsible is not known. This research project will use new genetic techniques to identify the inflammatory proteins that cause diabetes.
Mapping galactic lighthouses
Dr A.T. (Adam) Deller (m) ASTRON
Radio pulsars act as galactic lighthouses. Their powerful, rapidly rotating beams of radiation are observed over enormous distances as 'pulses'. This project will combine signals from radio telescopes across the world to produce an accurate 3-D map of the galactic lighthouse network.
Mobile virulent DNA in fungi
Dr H.C. (Lotje) van der Does (f) University of Amsterdam – Phytopathology
A chromosome with virulent genes has been discovered in the fungus that causes tomato wilt. This chromosome can be transferred to other fungal strains, giving rise to new pathogens. The researcher will determine to what extent the 'normal' chromosomes collaborate with the wandering chromosome.
EU foreign affairs: influencing things at home
Dr C. (Christina) Eckes (f) University of Amsterdam – Public International Law and European Law
The European Union is increasingly becoming an independent player on the international scene. This research will examine the unintended and indirect effects of this performance on the EU's fundamental rights, basic principles and internal balances of power.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Dr S. (Stefan) Engels (m) VU University Amsterdam – Earth Sciences
The climate is changing. This is happening because both humans and the sun are influencing the climate. Using small fossils such as those of insects the researcher will investigate how much sun spots influence both temperature and precipitation.
Changing climate – changing behaviour
Dr T. (Tatiana) Filatova (f) University of Twente - CSTM
The risk of catastrophic floods increases dramatically with climate change, impacting people’s choices of where to live. This project will combine computer simulations of adaptive behaviour in land markets with the observation of real human choices in risky situations to support policy making.
Do we think in our mother tongue?
Dr M.E.P. (Monique) Flecken (f) Radboud University Nijmegen - DCC
Everyday situations are discussed in different ways in different languages. Certain sentence constructions and verb forms are language dependent. We will investigate the influence of another language on how monolingual and bilingual people think about certain situations: do bilingual people think in their first or in their second language?
How psychological and social factors influence the evolution of language
Dr M. (Michael) Franke (m) University of Amsterdam – Institute for Logic, Language and Computation
Language has been able to evolve because humans started to use sounds in a regular manner for various social purposes. This project will investigate the effect of psychological and social factors on the evolution of language, with a particular emphasis on differences in the meaning of adjectives.
The boundaries of the unconscious
Dr S. (Simon) van Gaal (m) Neurospin Center - Neuroimaging Unit (Gif-sur-Yvette, France)
To what extent do unconscious processes influence our behaviour and decisions? And when do conscious processes play a crucial role in this? The researchers will answer these questions by looking for the boundaries of unconscious processes in the brain and in our behaviour.
Health and work, which policies are effective?
Dr P. (Pilar) García-Gómez (f) Erasmus University Rotterdam - Erasmus School of Economics
Several policies are in place in the EU to help the disabled to participate in the labour market. The researcher will investigate how successful these policies have been in achieving this goal with a specific focus on the last reforms implemented in the Netherlands.
Islamic biomedical ethics between two worlds
Dr M. ( Mohammed) Ghaly (m) Leiden University - Theology, Islamic Theology
Recent biomedical developments necessitate an in-depth discussion about the ethical and unethical aspects of these rapid developments. This research will provide an analysis of this modern discussion within the Islamic tradition in both the Islamic world and here in the West.
From a binary to a single star
Dr E. (Evert) Glebbeek (m) Radboud University Nijmegen - Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics
Sometimes a binary star merges into a single star. This star has unusual properties and can be the forerunner of a powerful explosion, for example a gamma flash or supernova. The researchers will develop a new method to investigate these stars.
Threats and conflicts within management teams
Dr L.L. (Lindred) Greer (f) University of Amsterdam – Work and Organisational Psychology
Teams with considerable power, such as management teams or task groups of world leaders, have an enormous impact on society. However they often experience problems due to conflicts about power. This study will determine which socio-psychological process is responsible for this.
Quest for new antibiotics
Dr J. (Jacob) Gubbens (m) Leiden University – Molecular Biotechnology
The number of bacterial infections that cannot be treated with current antibiotics is increasing rapidly. The researchers will develop new strategies to more easily identify antibiotics and enzymes in soil bacteria. This will provide new solutions for an urgent problem.
Valerius' Argonautica
Dr M.A.J. (Mark) Heerink (m) Leiden University – Greek and Latin Languages and Cultures
The epic poem Argonautica by the Roman poet Valerius Flaccus is currently viewed as an imitation of the famous epic poem Aeneis by Vergilius. Using a metapoetic reading this project will demonstrate the contrary, namely that Valerius reacted against his supposed model.
Green policy for the construction sector
Dr J.J. (Jeroen) van der Heijden (m) Delft University of Technology – Technology, Policy and Management
The construction sector is one of the most polluting industries that we know. Nevertheless, construction firms are voluntarily realising sustainable and ‘green’ buildings without the government requiring them to do so. This research project will investigate why and how these companies are doing that.
Evolution in heterogeneous environments
Dr R. (Rutger) Hermsen (m) Delft University of Technology - Bionanoscience
Spatial aspects can play a vital role in biological evolution. Yet they are often not considered in mathematical models. This research will use mathematics, simulations and experimental data to understand how a heterogeneous environment can influence or accelerate evolutionary processes.
How reward guides vision
Dr C. (Clayton) Hickey (m) VU University Amsterdam - Cognitive Psychology
Vision is biased towards objects that have obtained reward in prior experience, suggesting that neural systems signalling outcomes can change how the brain deals with visual input. This project will investigate the neurocognitive principles underlying this interaction.
Words are not unequivocal
Dr L. (Lotte) Hogeweg (f) Radboud University Nijmegen - Linguistics
Words are incredibly flexible in their meaning. For example, in Dutch the word ‘strong’ can have very different interpretations in ‘strong as an ox’, ‘strong coffee’ or ‘a strong (tall) story’. This research project will investigate how we can understand each other's words so well despite this flexibility in meaning.
Looking for the genetic cause of miscarriages
Dr A. (Alexander) Hoischen (m) Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre - Anthropogenetics
Using a revolutionary genome technique researchers will look for DNA variation that causes serious miscarriages. Besides gaining a better understanding of its causes, the researchers also hope to trace crucial development genes.
Representation of music
Dr A.K. (Aline) Honingh (f) University of Amsterdam – ILLC
The best way of representing music (e.g. musical notation, mp3) depends upon the use. This project will seek the optimal representation for music classification (e.g. jazz, rock). The research will lead to a better understanding of how people classify music and to applications such as music search engines.
Valuable implementation with information about care
Dr T. (Ties) Hoomans (m) University of Chicago – Section of Hospital Medicine
Research and implementation are needed to improve patient care. This study will investigate how the effect of investments in these activities can be analysed in an integral manner. The value of implementation strategies can depend upon the research results of possible care interventions.
Salt and high blood pressure: the role of the kidney
Dr E.J. (Ewout) Hoorn (m) Erasmus University Medical Center – Internal Medicine
After smoking and obesity, salt appears to be the new risk to public health. Salt increases the blood pressure and how it does so is not clear. The researchers think that a special salt channel in the kidney is the missing link between salt and blood pressure. How and why our kidneys activate this salt channel will be investigated.
Good cholesterol embedded in genes
Dr G.K. (Kees) Hovingh (m) Amsterdam Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Department of Vascular Medicine
A low HDL cholesterol results in an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The researchers will use genetic analysis to determine how the variation in HDL arises so that they can better understand its formation and breakdown.
Adaptive radio, a solution for future smart phones
Dr C. (Cong) Huang (m) 26-03-1980, Delft University of Technology – Delft Institute of Microsystems and Nanoelectronics (DIMES)
Adaptive radios will allow future mobile phone users to extend their network connectivity and services without any hardware replacement. These new adaptive handsets will become cheaper, more functional, power efficient and compact. This research will develop a novel technology platform that resolves any remaining bottlenecks to adaptive radios.
Waves versus gaps
Dr H.J. (Hermen Jan) Hupkes (m) University of Missouri – Department of Mathematics
The insulation material around nerves in the body is regularly interrupted by gaps that are often ignored for the ease of calculation. Mathematicians will investigate what happens to electrical waves that have to cross such gaps.
Puzzling out evolution
Dr L.J.J. (Leo) van Iersel (m) Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science) - Life Sciences
Far back in time, people, animals, plants and bacteria are all family of each other. The relationships between all of these species form a complex network. Mathematicians will now use DNA data to puzzle out this network.
Small blood vessels, major consequences
Dr M.K. (Kamran) Ikram (m) Erasmus University Rotterdam Medical Center – Epidemiology & Ophthalmology
Children with a low birth weight have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases at a later age. The small blood vessels in the body might play a role in this. With the aid of measurements of small blood vessels in the retina, the researchers shall determine the role played by these vessels in the development of the cardiovascular system during childhood and eventually disease at a later age.
Partners against multiple sclerosis
Dr J. (Juan) Ilarregui (m) VU University Amsterdam Medical Center - Immunology
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the brain. Using two proteins researchers want to develop a therapy to inhibit the harmful immune cells in order to slow down the disease’s progression.
The water tower of Asia
Dr W.W. (Walter) Immerzeel (m) Utrecht University- Physical Geography
The mountain chains of Asia and the Tibetan plateau are the source of water for millions of people. Due to climate change the snow coverage is decreasing, the glaciers are becoming smaller but rainfall is also increasing. This has major consequences for the ability of this 'water tower' to provide water. This research will map these changes at different scales.
Scaling up online games through cloud computing
Dr A. (Alexandru) Iosup (m) Delft University of Technology - EEMCS, Parallel and Distributed Systems Group
Online games entertain millions of players worldwide, but cannot scale up further. Computer scientists aim to scale up online games by replacing current IT infrastructure (owned) with cloud computing (leased), and by reducing the impact of variability in IT demand and service.
Causes and consequences of negative interethnic conflict
Dr E. (Eva) Jaspers, (f) Utrecht University
When different groups live together, unpleasant encounters always take place between members of these different groups. This project will investigate who has a greater chance of such negative interethnic experiences and what the consequences of this are for relationships with the other group. Furthermore, it will be investigated if the effect of negative experiences is dependent upon the diversity of the context in which these take place.
Archaeology of the Milky Way galaxy
Dr S. (Shoko) Jin (f) University of Groningen - Astronomy
The outskirts of our Milky Way galaxy host streams of stars and gas that were stripped from smaller galaxies during fatal, close encounters. By studying their motions, this project aims to determine the distribution of the invisible dark matter around our galaxy.
New techniques, improved 3D protein models
Dr R.P. (Robbie) Joosten (m) Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital - Biochemistry
Life scientists need crystallographic 3D protein models to understand life in a cell and to be able to develop medicines. In this research new, fully automatic, computer techniques will be developed to translate a crystallographic experiment more efficiently into a high-quality 3D protein model.
The language of politics
Dr H.G.J. (Harm) Kaal (m) Radboud University Nijmegen - History
The language of politicians is more than a means of conveying their political viewpoints. Language also carries identity-forming concepts and representations that are used by politicians to bind voters to their political party. This research will study the development of this language of political movements in the Netherlands from the start of the 19th century.
Favourable developments for numbers
Dr C.C.C.J. (Charlene) Kalle (f) Leiden University - Mathematics
The tossing of an infinite number of coins is a mysterious probability experiment that is related to different ways of writing down numbers, such as binary developments. It therefore has cryptographic and technological applications. This research will analyse this relationship from a new perspective.
Exposing the flu virus
Dr B. (Bernike) Kalverda (f) Netherlands Cancer Institute/Erasmus University Rotterdam Medical Center - Virology
In our bodies the body flu virus is attacked by the immune system. The first essential step in this process is the detection of the virus as an invader by our immune cells. The researchers will unravel how this process works.
Cooperation in contracts
Dr Y.P. (Peter) Kamminga (m) VU University Amsterdam – Private Law
Conflicts are an important cause of delays and excessive costs in infrastructure projects. The key to a successful realisation of such a project is a more effective cooperation between the contracting parties. The researcher will analyse how contracts can be designed to better support cooperation than is the case with current contracts.
Influence of randomness in abstract networks
Dr R.J. (Ross) Kang (m) Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science - Probability Networks and Algorithms
A striking phenomenon in mathematics is that introducing some randomness can often reveal intricate (non-random) structures. This project explores this phenomenon in relation to graphs (abstract networks) and, in particular, structured partitions of graphs into hereditary properties.
Networking in the tomato fruit
Dr R. (Rumyana) Karlova (f) Wageningen University and Research Centre - Molecular Biology
In tomato fruits ripening is regulated by a number of transcription factors in conjunction with the plant hormone ethylene. This study will investigate the regulatory networks controlling fruit ripening.
A major source of nitrogen for our atmosphere: molecular mechanism of anaerobic ammonium oxidation
Dr (Boran) Kartal (m) Radboud University Nijmegen - Microbiology
Anaerobic ammonium oxidising bacteria are among the most amazing chemists. They combine the water pollutants ammonium and nitrite into hydrazine and then break this down to synthesise most of the dinitrogen gas in our atmosphere. This project aims to detail these remarkable biochemical reactions.
A closer look at fatherhood
Dr R. (Renske) Keizer (f) Erasmus University Rotterdam - Sociology
Some men are active, involved fathers whereas others are not. What causes these differences in the behaviour of fathers? And what consequences do these differences have for the well-being of all family members? The researcher will attempt to answer these questions by following fathers and members of their family over time.
Origami with DNA
Dr J. (Jop) Kind (m) Netherlands Cancer Institute – Gene regulation
DNA lies as long folded-up threads in the nucleus of a cell. The inactive part of the DNA is draped against the wall of the nucleus. How the structure is organised and remains so over time is the subject of this study.
Do older readers become careless readers?
Dr A.W. (Arnout) Koornneef (m) Utrecht Un
iversity - Linguistics
If over-65s read a text their eyes jump backwards and forwards more often than those of younger readers. The aim of this study is to discover why older readers use this reading strategy and how this affects their understanding of the text. The results can be used to optimise texts for our ageing population.
Circadian rhythms in the heart
Dr L.W. (Linda) van Laake (f) University Medical Center Utrecht - Cardiology
The functioning of heart and blood vessels varies considerably during the circadian cycle. Even isolated heart muscle cells in a petri dish maintain a 24-hour rhythm. The researchers will use stem cells to analyse how circadian rhythms develop in heart muscle cells and how they influence recovery after a heart infarct.
Improved treatment for diabetes
Dr H.J. (Hiddo) Lambers Heerspink (m) University Medical Center Groningen – Clinical Pharmacology
Despite current drugs, patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. One reason for this is that the therapy given is insufficiently tailored to the individual patient. The researchers will study why patients respond differently to medicines so that the effectiveness of the treatments can be increased.
Using miscospores to trace prehistoric plant use
Dr G.H.J (Geeske) Langejans (f) Leiden University – Faculty of Archaeology
Archaeologists know little about the use of plants during early prehistory. This study will focus on grinding stones and scrapers from South Africa. The researcher will look for microscopic traces such as starch grains, which throw a new light on prehistoric diets.
Inextricably linked in the brain
Dr C.S. (Carien) Lansink (f) University of Amsterdam - Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences
When we see a teacup smash to pieces and simultaneously hear china break, we experience a single event. This is because our brain seamlessly integrates the different flows of sensory information. Researchers will examine how areas in the brain collaborate to realise that.
Languages without classes of words?
Dr E.H. (Eva) van Lier (f) University of Amsterdam - Linguistics
European languages have classes of words: verbs (for actions) and nouns (for objects). Some Oceanic languages seem not to make this distinction. The linguist will investigate whether these languages have alternative classes of words and what that says about categorisation in human language and thought.
Dealing with imprecision and unpredictability in mobile applications
Dr M. (Maarten) Löffler (m) University of California – Computer Science
Pieces of equipment that we use every day are increasingly aware of their location. Interactive applications make use of this information but often struggle to cope with the imprecise and unpredictable character of the data. This research project will study to what extent it is still possible to allow such applications to work in a stable and reliable manner.
Monitoring an aneurysm with an ultrasonogram
Dr R.G.P. (Richard) Lopata (m) Eindhoven University of Technology – Biomedical Technology
The abdominal artery can develop a local widening (aneurysm) that can become life-threatening if it continues to grow. In the end an operation must be performed to prevent a tear. The researchers will develop methods to predict the growth rate of the aneurysm using 3D ultrasonography.
DNA repair: get undressed first!
Dr M.S. (Martijn) Luijsterburg (m) Leiden University Medical Center - Toxicogenetics
The repair of damage to our chromosomal DNA is hindered by the fact that the DNA is packaged in various proteins. The researchers will examine in living cells how DNA is unpacked during the repair process and how that contributes to the maintenance of chromosome stability and prevention of cancer.