Awarded Rubicon Grants round 2011-2

Below you will find a list of awarded researchers in alphabetical order and the title of the research project. This is followed by gender, current employment and the host institution (department) where the Rubicon research will be conducted.

Phonetic coding in the brain
M. (Martijn) Baart, MSc (m) 1983, University of Twente -> Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language - Neurocognitive linguistics and science (Spain), 24 months
Speech detection partly depends on seeing the speaking mouth and on the linguistic information stored in the brain. These different signals are combined in the brain and phonetically coded. In this project we will investigate exactly how this happens over the course of time.

Smart microcapsules for new brain tissue
J. (Job) Boekhoven, MSc (m) 1984, Delft University of Technology -> Northwestern University - The Stupp Laboratory (United States), 24 months
In Western countries a stroke is the most frequent cause of permanent disability. With the aid of stem cells and ‘smart’ microcapsules the researchers will develop a new method to restore the dead brain tissue. The capsules form a nestling site for the stem cells also convey local signals to the cells so that these can develop into new brain tissue.

Bacterial toxin plays a role in colorectal cancer
J.M. (Annemarie) Boleij, MSc (f) 1983, Radboud University Nijmegen -> Johns Hopkins University - Division of Infectious Diseases, Gastroenterology and Tumor Immunology (United States), 24 months
The intestinal bacteria Bacteroides fragilis produces different variants of the toxin BFT. This toxin causes inflammations that can result in colorectal cancer. This research examines the effects of these variations on the development of colorectal cancer.

Are better singers smarter?
Dr N.J. (Neeltje) Boogert (f) 1982, McGill University (Canada) -> University of St. Andrews, Neurocognition (United Kingdom), 24 months
In songbirds, the females prefer the males that can sing the most complex songs. They might do this because these males are more intelligent. The researcher will test whether complexity of birdsong is an indicator for intelligence and whether steroid hormones in the brain underlie this ability.

A small reward now or a big reward later?
Dr W. (Wouter) van den Bos (m) 1980, Leiden University -> Stanford University - Psychology (United States), 24 months
The researchers will measure brain activity of children, adolescents and adults while they are making choices in which self-control plays an important role. The researchers will try to find out why some individuals (e.g. teenagers) exhibit less self-control than others and how their environment affects this.

Pruning cannabis plants in the brain
M.G. (Matthijs) Bossong (m) 1980, Utrecht University -> King’s College London - Institute of Psychiatry (United Kingdom), 24 months
Our brains contain a type of cannabis plants, which determines how we feel. In people with psychoses these ‘cannabis plants’ are too large. This research project will study how pruning the cannabis plants can lead to a decrease in the psychotic symptoms.

Picking up mannerisms – why are some people so good at it?
J.L. (Jennifer) Cook (f) 1985, University College London (United Kingdom) -> Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Institute (the Netherlands), 24 months
Some people rapidly pick up new accents and mannerisms and quickly blend in with others. This research project will investigate how this process happens in the brain, why some people are faster at doing this than others and how the process can be accelerated.

Tipping points in ecological networks
Dr V. (Vasilis) Dakos (m) 1977, Wageningen University and Research Centre -> Estación Biológica de Doñana (Seville) - Integrative Ecology Group (Spain), 24 months
Increasing pressure on the complex network of interactions in nature mean there is an urgent need to estimate the potential risk of tipping. The aim of this project is to determine if tipping points in ecological networks can be demonstrated using recently developed generic warning signals.

As close to the truth as possible...
Dr T.A.L. (Tim) van Erven (m) 1982, Leiden University -> University of Paris-Sud 11 – Department of Mathematics (France), 24 months
Scientists try to discover the truth. Yet what if the truth is so complex that it can only be approximated? The researchers will develop new statistical models to approximate the truth as accurately as possible in such cases.

Chromosome separation in view
Dr M. (Matilde) Galli (f) 1984, Utrecht University -> University of California San Francisco - Department of Physiology (United States), 24 months
Cell division forms the basis of all life. During cell division the genetic material, the chromosomes, must be divided between two cells. This research project will determine how the glue that normally binds chromosomes together is dissolved during cell divisions in a living organism.

Colourful courtship behaviour helps searching females and alert predators
W. (Wouter) Halfwerk (m) 1980, Leiden University -> Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama), 24 months
Many males exhibit exuberant courtship behaviour to attract the attention of females. However, such displays of attention are not always favourable if there are alert predators in the area. This project will investigate the conditions under which colourful courtship attracts more females than predators.

Parasites launch joint amphibian attack
B.J. (Bethany) Hoye (f) 1982, Utrecht University -> University of Colorado - Department of Ecology and Evolution (United States), 24 months
Various parasites often play a role in infectious diseases. The aim of this project is to determine which parasites occur together during amphibian infectious diseases and which host runs the greatest risk of becoming infected by different parasites.

A clear look at glass
L.M.C. (Liesbeth) Janssen (f) 1983, Radboud University -> Columbia University - Department of Chemistry (United States), 24 months
Glass has been used in household, industrial and technological applications for centuries. How glass is formed, however, remains a mystery. The researchers will develop a new theory to better understand the formation of glass.

Immune system inhibitors in tick saliva
Dr M.M. (Matthijs) Jore (m) 1981, Wageningen University and Research Centre -> University of Oxford - Sir William Dunn School of Pathology (United Kingdom), 24 months
Ticks bite firmly onto people and feed themselves there with blood. In order to survive they produce proteins that inhibit the immune system of their host. How these proteins influence the immune system will be investigated using structure analysis.

Neuronal processes in the construction of conscious auditory perception: patterns and entrained oscillations
N.J. (Nick) Kilian-Hütten (m) 1981, Maastricht University -> Columbia University - Department of Psychiatry (United States), 24 months
Our perception of the world is not always an exact reproduction of reality. Something you hear can be influenced by what you have heard before or by what you see. This project will investigate how our brains process what we subjectively hear.

Correction methods for distortion
Dr B (Bärbel) Maus (f) 1981, Maastricht University -> University of Warwick - Department of Statistics (United Kingdom), 12 months
Scientists are frequently confronted with large quantities of data but use only a fraction of this to obtain results. This selection can lead to a distortion of the results. In this project statisticians will develop methods to correct for this.

The visual read-out of cognition
M. (Marnix) Naber (m) 1984, Philipps-University Marburg (Germany) -> Harvard University - Vision Sciences Laboratory (United States), 12 months
'Reading thoughts' is a popular theme in the media but the methods, reliability and possibilities have not been studied. This research project will investigate the extent to which physical characteristics such as movements, pupil size and facial expressions can unveil somebodies thoughts and cognitive state during interactive tasks.

Early signs of emotional attachment in babies
Dr M. (Mikko) Peltola (m) 1978, University of Tampere (Finland) -> Leiden University - Department of Child and Family Studies (the Netherlands), 18 months
Children form emotional attachments with their parents to a greater or lesser extent. To understand the early signs of these attachments, researchers will study babies’ brain responses to emotional pictures and see if these responses predict the quality of the emotional relationship in one-year-olds.

A nanoscale optoelectronic interface
F. (Ferry) Prins (m) 1983, Delft University of Technology -> Harvard University – Applied Sciences (United States), 24 months
The greatest challenge in linking optical and electrical components on a chip is the difference in scale. The researcher will develop an optoelectronic component the size of a single nanoparticle in order to bridge this gap.

Past coastal sediment-system dynamics in South Holland and the implication of this for present and future coastal change
Dr T. (Tony) Reimann (m) 1979, Free University Berlin (Germany) -> Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands), 24 months
Sustainable protection of South Holland's coast is a challenge for Dutch society. Successful planning and execution of novel coastal protection requires an understanding of sediment-system dynamics. We will investigate the interrelation of past sea-level fluctuation and sediment dynamics in South Holland.

Restitution versus rationalisation of immoral group behaviour
Dr J.M. (Jojanneke) van der Toorn (f) 1979, New York University (United States) -> Leiden University - Social & Organisational Psychology (the Netherlands), 12 months
Although people attach considerable value to morality and want to be part of moral groups they often do not admit to immoral group behaviour. The researchers will test whether specific group processes and intergroup relationships have an influence on whether people make restitution for or justify moral offences.

Identification of molecular mechanisms underlying association signals in complex diseases
G. (Gosia) Trynka (f) 1983, University of Groningen -> Harvard Medical School - Robert Plenge Group (United States), 24 months
Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune-related disease that is caused by many small changes to the DNA. The researchers will investigate how these changes influence the genes and how these determine the development of the disease.

Using vesicles derived from cells to transport RNA fragments to tumours
P. (Pieter) Vader, MSc (m) 1985, Utrecht University -> University of Oxford - Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (United Kingdom), 12 months
Small fragments of RNA can knock out genes involved in the growth of tumours but this only works if these fragments can be transported into the cancer cells. The researchers will examine how vesicles derived from cells in the body can be used for this purpose.

A new look at vision
Dr K.L. (Katrien) Vanagt (f) 1977, Tilburg University -> KNAW Huygens Institute ING – History of Science (the Netherlands), 24 months
How we see is a question that has given many a thinker sleepless nights. In this research project we will investigate how the early modern interest of doctors for vision led to new horizons in early modern scientific practice. The camera obscura played an important role in this.

Influenza virus replication per second
A.J.W. (Aartjan) te Velthuis (m) 1983, Leiden University -> University of Oxford (United Kingdom), 24 months
The influenza virus is small, dangerous and perfectly capable of regulating its replication. By following the central replication enzyme of this virus at the molecular level, this study will try to clarify how this regulation occurs.

Manipulating drops and surface boundaries with light
Dr A.A. (Lia) Verhoeff (f) 1983, Utrecht University -> University of Oxford - Department of Chemistry (United Kingdom), 24 months
Strongly focused laser light can be used to manipulate drops and surface boundaries in liquids. Using a microscope the researchers will examine how surface boundaries respond to such disruptions. They will then use laser light to study in detail how drops dissipate or instead flow together.

Flu a master in adaptation
R.P. (Robb) de Vries, MSc (m) 1983, Utrecht University -> The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego California (United States), 24 months
We have no idea how the flu virus manages to continually adapt its receptor-binding characteristics. To investigate this the researchers will use the responsible protein (haemagglutinin) and sugar arrays to determine how the virus evolves at the amino acid level.

The most powerful particle accelerators in the universe
R.J. (Reinout) van Weeren (m) 1980, Leiden University -> University of Cambridge - Institute of Astronomy (United Kingdom), 24 months
Clusters of galaxies are the largest connected structures in the universe. Clusters can collide and merge into new, even bigger, clusters. In this research project we will determine how particles are accelerated to extremely high energies in the shockwaves of the collisions.

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