News

  • ENW-M grants
    International

    NWO Open Competition ENW-M grants

    2025-08-18T12:05:00Z

    The Open Competition ENW-M grants – intended for “creative, risky ideas and scientific innovations” – were awarded at the end of July, and several members of the KNCV and NVBMB were among the recipients.

  • Stitched 10x HuCD_AMCA Calb_AF594 nNOS_AF647 d
    International

    The true gut feeling: the intestinal nervous system recognises nutrients.

    2025-08-18T11:41:00Z

    According to biomedical scientists at KU Leuven, the function of the digestive system appears to be much more sophisticated than simply pumping food around. In an article published in Nature, they demonstrate how the nervous system in mouse intestines distinguishes between different nutrients.

  • shutterstock_2274449481 (1)
    International

    Nanoplastics fill the North Atlantic Ocean

    2025-08-18T11:24:00Z

    In a study published in Nature, Dutch researchers estimated that there are 27 million tonnes of nanoplastics in the ocean’s upper layer. This figure equals or exceeds the estimated amount of macro- and microplastics in the world’s oceans.

  • Veni
    International

    NWO Veni grants awarded for 2024

    2025-07-17T10:27:00Z

    Two hundred early-career scientists have received up to €320,000 in the form of a Veni grant from the NWO Talent Programme.

  • ERC Proof of Concept
    International

    ERC Proof of Concept grants 2025 awarded

    2025-07-16T11:34:00Z

    It’s always nice to receive a gift before the holidays. Eighteen Belgian and Dutch scientists were delighted to hear that their Proof of Concept Grant proposals had been successful.

  • blood cells
    International

    Activating ‘reserve genes’ for gene therapy

    2025-07-07T13:50:00Z

    Reactivated genes can compensate for other defective genes in hereditary blood disorders, Dutch researchers show in the journal Blood.

  • Graphical abstract catalyst in the spotlight
    International

    Catalyst-substrate couple in the spotlight

    2025-07-07T07:56:00Z

    With the high-tech laser facility of HFML-FELIX, researchers succeeded in capturing a catalyst ‘in the act’ of catalysing a Michael addition, as they show in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

  • Money abstract
    International

    Open Competition ENW-M grants awarded

    2025-07-02T09:18:00Z

    The ‘creative’ ENW-M grants have been awarded once again, this time to 21 researchers looking to develop scientific innovations and ‘risky’ ideas. Among the recipients are members of the KNCV and NVBMB, who are highlighted here.

  • toc sn2 vs e2
    International

    SN2 vs. E2: Competition Clarified

    2025-06-27T13:44:00Z

    For organic chemists (in training), the question of how to determine whether a chemical reaction follows the SN2 or E2 route is timeless. A group in Amsterdam summarized its 25 years of research in Chemistry: A European Journal, offering concrete, simple concepts to overcome this dilemma.

  • Gram Negative Cell Wall Shutterstock
    International

    Sweet victory: sugar molecule disrupts bacterial cell wall

    2025-06-20T11:34:00Z

    Researchers in Groningen have synthesised a variant of a sugar molecule that is incorporated in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. However, as reported in JACS Au, they did not achieve the desired effect.

  • ERC Adv Grant 2024
    International

    ERC Advanced Grants 2024 awarded

    2025-06-19T14:21:00Z

    This year, a total of €721 million will be awarded to 281 European scientists through prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. This is an increase of €69 million and 26 scientists on last year’s figures. Two members of the KNCV and one member of the KVCV have been awarded a grant.

  • blokken shutterstock klein
    International

    Peptide-like oligomers with much more information

    2025-06-19T07:42:00Z

    Researchers from Wageningen have synthesised peptide-like oligomers for which the chirality of each monomer can be determined. They write in Nature Synthesis that there is huge potential for information storage.

  • MIT-Microneedle-Delivery-02-press
    International

    Nutritional Needles

    2025-06-18T09:59:00Z

    Although pest control is important for agriculture, it can also create environmental problems. Micro-needles can offer a way to apply pesticides and nutrients more precisely. 

  • Figure EurJIC expanding the chemical space of allyl palladates-revised
    International

    ‘Metal next door’ is a successful anti-cancer agent.

    2025-06-16T11:27:00Z

    The recent success of palladium-based anticancer drugs has prompted an international team to search for molecules in the chemical space with even greater efficacy. As a bonus, they report in the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry that the synthesis does not even require solvents.

  • hydrogel shutterstock klein
    International

    Perfect PIC gels with a perfect protocol

    2025-06-13T07:47:00Z

    After years of answering questions, the group of scientists from the Radboud University who invented polyisocyanide hydrogels decided to draw up a protocol that describes absolutely everything. 

  • Structure of GCase-Nb1 complex
    International

    Nano antibodies against Parkinson’s disease

    2025-06-11T12:14:00Z

    Researchers from Flanders and Italy have developed a strategy to restore the function of an enzyme that is impaired in Parkinson’s disease. In an article published in Nature Communications, they demonstrate how antibody fragments can bind to the enzyme in the correct location to stabilise it and enhance its activity.

  • Condens spikes
    International

    No needles needed

    2025-06-04T09:49:00Z

    Currently, taking a blood sample is the most straightforward way to measure glucose levels or detect the presence of pathogens. But Chicago-based researchers have now developed an alternative method that enables analysis of breath as a new diagnostic approach. Instead of needles, this method relies on frozen spikes.

  • HPLC2025
    International

    HPLC2025: The Merits and Pitfalls of AI

    2025-06-03T08:58:00Z

    From 15 to 19 June, analytical chemists will be celebrating in Bruges at the 54th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2025), which will bring together academics and industry professionals for an engaging and interactive programme. 

  • pomelo
    International

    Fruity, Fatty, Piggy Patty

    2025-05-28T09:16:00Z

    Meat products are very complex due to their variety of textures and flavours. Imitating it is a challenge. In ACS Food Science & Technology, researchers from China have published the first major step towards imitating pork fat using pomelo peel. 

  • 02_Bruges-2022-05_4141stitch
    International

    HPLC2025: not your typical conference

    2025-05-23T12:22:00Z

    From 15 to 19 June, analytical chemists will be celebrating in Bruges at the 54th International Symposium on High Performance Liquid Phase Separations and Related Techniques (HPLC 2025), which will bring together academics and industry professionals for an engaging and interactive programme.