Awarded Rubicon Grants round 2009-2

Turning sunlight into clean fuels
A. Agiral (m) 08-12-1980, University of Twente -> University of Berkeley, HELIOS Solar Energy Research Center, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA), 24 months
Energy is the single most important problem facing humanity today. For millions of years, green plants have used solar fuel production (photosynthesis) to harvest energy from sunlight. This research shall focus on the development of an artificial version of photosynthesis with the aid of new inorganic nanoscale assemblies that can be used to produce clean fuels from carbon dioxide and water.

The mysterious use of code, 1603-1642
Dr N.N.W. Akkerman (f) 22-08-1978, VU University Amsterdam -> Leiden University (NED),
12 months
The British princess and first queen in The Hague, Elizabeth Stuart (1596-1662), Queen of Bohemia, encrypted her letters with riddles, invisible ink and numerical codes. This study shall investigate how and why encryption was used in diplomatic correspondence.

Highly stable FeRu and RuRu complexes in electrocatalytic and photocatalytic hydrogen production
Dr R. Angamuthu (m) 24-03-1980, Leiden Institute of Chemistry -> University of Illinois, Department of Chemistry (USA), 24 months
The production of hydrogen gas in an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient manner is a vital process in view of the decreasing oil reserves and the intended hydrogen economy. The researcher hopes to develop new iron and ruthenium compounds that are redox-active and light-sensitive. These compounds can be used as electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen gas from protons using the sun as the source of energy.

Atom efficient tandem and multicomponent reactions based on Pd-insertion of isonitriles for the synthesis of valuable heterocyclic aromatics
G.A.K. van Baelen (f) 27-05-1982, University of Antwerp -> VU University Amsterdam, Division of Organic Chemistry (NED), 12 months
Heterocyclic aromatics are molecules used for the production of medicines, pesticides, catalysts and the materials needed for various new technologies. The researchers shall develop new synthesis methods to obtain rapid and efficient access to these important heterocyclic aromatics. Catalysts are used to speed up processes or to make certain reactions possible. The researchers shall use ‘multicomponent reactions’ to minimise the quantity of raw materials needed and the amount of waste produced.

Traces on DNA
H. Boon (f) 24-07-1981, Maastricht University -> Karolinska Institute, Molecular Medicine and Surgery (SWE), 12 months
Environmental factors such as the surroundings, nutrition and exercise leave traces behind on the DNA and thus influence whether a person becomes ill or not. The researchers shall investigate whether these traces in patients with type 2 diabetes can be improved by means of an exercise programme.

Regulating the regulators of immunity
Dr J. Coquet (m) 09-03-1982, University of Melbourne (AUS) -> Netherlands Cancer Institute (NED), 12 months
The immune system sometimes needs to be very active to help us fight infections, yet at other times, it needs to be 'turned off' so that it cannot cause harm. The researchers will investigate important proteins that control whether the system is 'on' or 'off'.

Practical numerical simulations of the climate
Dr S.B. Dubinkina (f) 27-02-1982, CWI -> Potsdam University, Institute of Mathematics (GER), 24 months
A simulation of the real climate must include dissipation and forcing, e.g. sun radiative heating, storms, etc. The aim of this research project is to understand how these factors should be treated numerically so that reliable long-term simulations of the climate can be obtained.

New functions for antibodies
Dr J. den Dunnen (m) 05-06-1980, VU Medical Center-> Academic Medical Center University of Amsterdam – Cell biology and Histology (NED), 12 months
During an infection, people produce antibodies against pathogens. The researchers have discovered a new function for these antibodies and shall now investigate exactly how this function works in both the immune response to pathogens and in the disease SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).

Proteins on the move during chronic inflammatory pain
Dr N. Eijkelkamp (m) 18-07-1980, University Medical Center Utrecht -> University College London, Molecular nociception (UK), 24 months
Inflammation is associated with pain, which can become chronic. The researcher shall investigate how the protein GRK2, together with other proteins, influences the organisation of membrane ionic channels of the nerve with respect to chronic pain.

Relational advice for an immature molecule
Dr J.H. Gibcus (m) 01-03-1978, University Medical Center Groningen -> University of Massachussets Medical School, Program in Gene Function and Expression (USA), 24 months
Non-coding RNA, which is never translated into a protein, appears to play an important role in the regulation of proteins. These proteins can bring genes together by means of three-dimensional interactions. The researchers shall examine the role of non-coding RNA in this process.

From sounds to meaning (and vice versa)
L. Hogeweg (f) 08-08-1980, Radboud University Nijmegen -> Cognitive Science Department, John Hopkins University (USA), 6 months
The meaning of words is flexible: a word can change meaning depending on the sentence it is in. This flexibility is often encountered in language, for example, how sounds are pronounced depends on the neighbouring sounds. This study shall investigate the similarity between understanding and choosing words and the recognition and pronunciation of sounds.

What wakes germ cells up?
Dr S. Houwing (f) 03‐10‐1981 Hubrecht Institute -> Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, University of New York (USA), 24 months
In immature germ cells (or sex cells) the gene expression still needs to be activated. During this project we shall examine which factors accurately regulate this expression to retain the genetic information that can be passed onto the next generation.

The resistance of a single molecule
Dr E.H. Huisman (m) 26-11-1980, University of Groningen -> Columbia University, Physics of Nanodevices (USA), 24 months
A single molecule is a potentially attractive, small electronic component. A molecule is not that difficult to design with the aid of organic chemistry and nowadays electrodes can be attached to single molecules. The researchers shall investigate the electronic properties of a single molecule with the help of a new, improved technique.

Crawling cells
Mr T. Idema (m) 20-04-1981, Leiden University -> University of Pennsylvania, Theoretical Biophysics (USA), 24 months
Cells can crawl around by pushing parts of their membrane outwards like a foot. This process is important in the healing of wounds and the detection of infections. The researchers shall develop a model for this type of movement.

Searching for human-specific functional DNA elements
Dr F.M.J. Jacobs (m) 24-10-1978, Rudolf Magnus Institute Utrecht -> University of California, Santa Cruz, Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering (USA), 24 months
The vast majority of our genome has no clear function, but possibly contains a large number of DNA elements that are important for gene regulation. This project describes the search for these functional DNA elements and investigates their relationship with respect to the evolution of the human brain.

Cell cuts well
Dr T. Kuilman (m) 08-11-1978, Netherlands Cancer Institute -> LRI - Chromosome Segregation Laboratory (UK), 24 months
At the end of each cell division the cell contains two identical, physically separated copies of the genetic material (DNA). The researchers shall investigate the proteins responsible for constricting and cutting apart the copies, which leads to two daughter cells.

How does evolution determine the shape of cells?
Dr L. Laan (f) 07-12-1980, FOM Institute AMOLF -> Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (USA), 24 months
Cells have developed a range of ingenious methods to acquire the correct shape. Surprisingly, species that are close together on the evolutionary tree sometimes use very different mechanisms. This study shall determine how evolution changes these mechanisms that are crucial for a cell.

Subtypes of depression unravelled further
Dr F. Lamers (f) 01-05-1980, Maastricht University -> National Institute of Mental Health (USA), 24 months
Although bouts of depression have been described since the time of Hippocrates, our knowledge of the subtypes of depressions and their cause is still limited. Data-driven analytical techniques shall be used to more accurately study subtypes of depression, their characteristics and their clinical course.

Predicting individual differences in the risk behaviour of young people
L. van Leijenhorst (f) 14-03-1979, Leiden University-> UCLA, Developmental Psychology (USA), 18 months
We know that adolescents take risks because their brains are still developing. However, we still cannot explain why some adolescents take more risks than others. This research shall use new analysis techniques for fMRI data to investigate these differences between young people.

How children learn to read
E. Marinus (f) 12-06-1980, University of Amsterdam, Pedagological and Educational Studies (POW) -> Macquarie University, Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science (MACCS) (AUS), 24 months
Recognising written words in one go is an essential skill for being able to read quickly. This study shall examine how children learn this skill and why it remains difficult for children who have reading problems.

Building shells with crystals
W. L. Noorduin (m) 31-12-1980, Radboud University Nijmegen -> Harvard University, Biomineralization and Biomimetics Lab (USA), 24 months
Besides looking beautiful, the skeletons of marine animals also have many special characteristics. How these natural skeletons are formed remains a mystery. The researchers shall attempt to mimic these materials by cleverly stacking crystals on top of each other.

The many faces of cell death
Dr B.J. van Raam (m) 08-02-1980, University of Amsterdam -> Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Program in Apoptosis and Cell Death Research (USA), 24 months
In various organs of the body a continuous process of cell production and controlled cell death is taking place. A cell can be triggered to commit programmed suicide in various ways. In a cancer cell, these suicide programmes are often disrupted, as a result of which the cell lives for too long. However, it appears there are still ways to induce cancer cells to commit suicide. The researchers want to clarify the mechanism underlying these new forms of cell death.

Defects in schizophrenia
Dr P. van Ruitenbeek (m) 04-05-1980, Maastricht University -> King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry (UK), 18 months
Schizophrenia is associated with disorders in mental capacities such as thinking, planning, observing and remembering. The substance histamine appears to play an important role in schizophrenia. Van Ruitenbeek shall investigate whether histamine also plays a role in the damaged mental capacities.

Using high-throughput screening of chemical libraries to identify factors involved in cross-presentation
Dr C. Sadaka (f) 02-02-1980, Curie Institute (FRA) -> Netherlands Cancer Institute Cell Biology II (NED), 12 months
Developing an efficient immune response is crucial for combating infectious diseases and cancer. Our goal is to discover new drugs to boost the immune response.

How to outsmart the bugs
S. Semrau (m) 16-01-1979, Leiden University -> Systems Biology Lab, MIT (USA), 24 months
Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health. The researchers aim to understand how bacteria can adapt so quickly to new antibiotics. They shall use highly sensitive microscopy tools to study the behaviour of single bacteria in the presence of antibiotics.

Roman colonies: not towns but villages?
Dr T.D. Stek (m) 10-07-1978, University of Amsterdam -> University of Oxford, Faculty of Classics (UK), 18 months
Roman colonies are usually seen as proud towns. However, new research points to a non-urban system of settlements in which villages played a key role. The researchers shall investigate how this system worked by examining both Latin inscriptions and archaeological remains.

The pros and cons of being better than others
N. van de Ven (m) 03-10-1979, Tilburg University, Social Psychology -> Cornell University, Department of Psychology (USA), 6 months
Being better than others can be pleasant, yet it can also lead to discomfort because it can make others feel bad. The project shall investigate when being better leads to more positive experiences and behaviours and when to negative ones instead.

Smells stimulate unhealthy eating behaviour
Dr L.A.W. Verhagen (f) 13-11-1979, Utrecht University -> University of Cologne, Department of Mouse Genetics and Metabolism (GER), 24 months
Many people are tempted to eat a lot and to eat fat and this is partly determined by the smell of food. In this project, scientists shall investigate how the brain processes the smell of food and how this affects the body’s energy balance.

Utter dependence in cancer cells
Dr S. van Wageningen (m) 19-01-1977, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre -> Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York (USA), 24 months
Cancer cells do not behave in the same way as normal cells. Some genes can be missed by a normal cell, whereas a cancer cell is completely dependent on these. We shall investigate which genes these are.

Development of new tinkering techniques
M. Wolffs (m) 15-12-1981, Eindhoven University of Technology -> University of California Santa Barbara, Materials Research Laboratory (USA), 24 months
Plastic materials contain very small particles that are similar to a knot of wool. Converting a knot of wool with different colours (characteristics) into a piece of clothing with different colour patterns requires the wool to be joined together in a certain way. During this project a new method shall be developed to join the pieces of wool together.

New functions for old hormones
Dr C.X. Yi (f) 15-02-1972, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, KNAW -> Genome Research Institute & Obesity Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati (USA), 24 months
Anti-obesity drugs work best in our brains, as here they can inhibit both food uptake and energy metabolism. In this project, the effectiveness of glucagon-receptor-agonists in the brain on controlling obesity shall be investigated using experimental animals.

Natural variability in CO2 – Analogous for the global climate at the end of the 21st century?
M. Ziegler (m) 02-10-1978, Utrecht University -> Columbia University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (USA), 24 months
The CO2 concentrations on the earth have risen as a result of human activity. To understand the consequences of this we need to reconstruct the CO2 concentration in the distant past, in a period when it was higher than now. The aim of this project is to determine this concentration about 25 million years ago and to investigate the consequences of this.

Blind date: partner choice on the basis of smell
Dr Z.V. Zizzari (f) 29-10-1981, University of Siena (ITA) -> VU University Amsterdam, Animal Ecology (NED), 12 months
In many animal species, females choose their partner on the basis of their appearance or behaviour. Springtail females choose the best partner without even having seen or met him. The researchers shall investigate the role of smell in this choice.

Molecular arrangements in organic semiconductors
Dr A.P. Zoombelt (m) 24-05-1980, Eindhoven University of Technology -> Stanford University, Chemical Engineering (USA), 24 months
The performance of plastic electronics is strongly dependent on the charge transport. The more neatly the molecules are arranged, the better the material transports the charges. This project shall use different molecules to investigate which arrangement yields the best charge transport. 

How a virus becomes small or even smaller
Dr M.P. Zwart (m) 14-10-1979, Laboratory for Virology, Wageningen University and Research Centre -> Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas, Evolutionary Systems Virology Group (ESP), 24 months
Living organisms occur in a wide variety of species and sizes but the same is true of their genetic material, the genome. How has evolution led to such a huge diversity? The researchers shall use plant viruses to study how the size and complexity of the genome evolves.

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