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.

According to the NWO website, the M grant ‘offers researchers the opportunity to develop creative, risky ideas and bring about scientific innovations that can form the basis for future research themes’. Of the 84 applications, 21 were approved. These included one KNCV member, one member of both KNCV and NBV, and two NVBMB members.

Steering Sweet Synthesis

Dr Thomas Hansen (KNCV, VU)

Bacterial glycans possess intriguing biological properties, including antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor effects. However, synthesizing sufficient quantities of these often deoxygenated carbohydrates for detailed studies is still a challenging and time-consuming process due to the difficulty in controlling glycosylation reactions. The absence of oxygen groups precludes the use of well-established strategies commonly used for the synthesis of traditional mammalian carbohydrates. In this project, researchers will address this issue by using modern organocatalysis to control glycosylations. The synthetic approach developed will provide new routes to the vast diversity of bacterial glycosides for glycobiological and glycomedical research. 

BREATHLESS: uncovering the love affairs of anaerobic microbes through omics and microfluidics

Prof Dr Diana Machado de Sousa (WUR) & Prof Dr Aldrik Velders (KNCV, NBV, WUR)

This project aims to investigate the largely unexplored microbial world by focusing on the complex interactions between microorganisms  in anaerobic  ecosystems.  Although sequencing  technologies  have unveiled  significant  microbial diversity, many species remain unstudied due to challenges in culturing them linked to their intricate relationships. By utilizing advanced molecular techniques, like metagenomics and innovative microfluidics, the project intends to uncover new  microbial  interactions and  co‐isolate  organisms in  syntrophic  relationships.  Combining microfluidics  with  spectroscopy, such  as NMR, will  enhance  our understanding  of  the metabolic profiles  and  ecological roles  of  these microorganisms, shedding light on the “chemistry” of anaerobic life. 

New players in packaging our DNA

Dr Francesca Mattiroli (NVBMB, Hubrecht-KNAW)

Our DNA is packaged in a complex and highly dynamic system. This packaging instructs how, where and when information on our DNA is read, but it remains largely unknown how the DNA-packaging is maintained in our cells. This research project will study this during which we will focus on two critical regulators. We will identify the specific role of these regulators in packaging the DNA. As these regulators are important in several human diseases, this research will provide new possible strategies to keep our cells healthy.

Frequency modulation of the gut

Dr Katharina Sonnen (NVBMB, Hubrecht-KNAW)

Cells in our body communicate with each other to ensure that formation and turnover of cells is tightly regulated. This communication is achieved by sending proteins to each other. We have found that cells in the gut communicate with oscillations. Here, we will investigate how these oscillations interact with other communication paths in the body to regulate the formation of specific cell types.

You can view all projects here.

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