Vici grants February 2010

Below, you will find a list of awarded researchers, their date and place of birth, and the name of the university or research facility where they plan to conduct their research. Please note: the researchers don't have to chose a university or research facility until they are awarded a Vici-grant.

Go to the press release: '31 top Dutch researchers receive a Vici grant', 2 February 2010

Calibration fields from quantum strings
Dr G. (Gleb) Arutyunov (m) 29-04-1968 (Russia), Utrecht University, Physics and Chemistry
Gauge theories describe the forces between elementary particles. In string theory the elementary building blocks are not particles but strings. The aim of this study is to understand how gauge and string theories describe the same physical phenomena, and how that insight can help deepen our knowledge of nature at subatomic distances.

Tailor-made child-raising support
Prof. M.J. (Marian) Bakermans-Kranenburg (f) 19-06-1965, Alphen aan den Rijn, Leiden University - Child and Family Studies
Due to their temperament or genetic baggage, some parents and children are more sensitive to stress. The researchers shall investigate whether this ‘risk’ also makes them more sensitive to positive changes in their surroundings. This will help to provide tailor-made child-raising support.

Investigative listening
Prof. K. (Karin) Bijsterveld (f) 12-10-1961, Achtkarspelen, Maastricht University - Technology and Society Studies
How do engineers, doctors and natural scientists listen to machines, bodies and
other objects under investigation? What new knowledge has that yielded? And under
which circumstances in the recent past has ‘listening’ been accepted or rejected as a source of scientific knowledge?

Shedding light on disease
Prof. J.F. (Johannes) de Boer (m) 02-06-1964, Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam – Physics and Astronomy
Disease leads to structural changes in the tissue. This research shall use optical ultrasonography to image tissue in hollow organs (lungs, intestines, bladder) by using a combination of small endoscopes and fluorescence to light up abnormal tissue.

Tough fathers and frightened kids
Prof. S.M. (Susan) Bögels (f) 25-11-1960, Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam - Education
Babies are born frightened. The responses of parents to new situations help children to nuance their anxieties. We shall investigate the relative role of fathers in this process in view of their evolutionary advantage in experiences with external danger.

Innovating on time
Prof. B.J. (Bart) Bronnenberg (m) 25-04-1963, Sittard, Tilburg University - Economics
Consumers often form preferences for products that appear first on the market. This project shall study how, and to what extent, this is translated into an economic advantage for companies and their environment if they are one of the first on the market.

The dynamics of several molecules within the living cell
Prof. N.H. (Nynke) Dekker (f) 02-04-1971, Delft University of Technology – Molecular Biophysics
With the aid of single molecule techniques, the dynamics of biological molecules can be accurately investigated. We shall expand these techniques so that we can examine individual molecules inside the living cell. This will increase our knowledge of the DNA’s copying mechanism.

How to reach the optimum
Dr M.E. (Mirjam) Dür (f) 28-01-1970, Vienna (Austria), University of Groningen - Mathematics and Computer Science
If we want to do things better, faster, or more efficiently, we want to optimise our performance. Yet how can we identify the best options available? This project shall investigate mathematical methods that help answer this question.

Sentries fight against HIV
Dr T.B.H. (Teunis) Geijtenbeek (m) 25-04-1969, Scherpenzeel, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam – CEMM
During an infection, the HIV virus has to get past the sentries of our immune system. These cells protect us from HIV and prevent its spread throughout the body. This project shall unravel the immune defence mechanisms so as to find ways of preventing HIV infections and therefore AIDS.

In search of the X factor
Dr J.H. (Joost) Gribnau (m) 24-03-1968, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam
During reproduction and development in female cells, one of the two X chromosomes is switched off. This means that both male (XY) and female (XX) cells have effectively one X chromosome. The researcher shall investigate how cells count the number of X chromosomes they contain and initiate X-inactivation. Patients in whom these processes are disrupted shall also be investigated.

Statistics when your models are wrong
Prof. P.D. (Peter) Grünwald (m) 13-04-1970, Geldrop, CWI - Computer Science / Leiden University - Mathematics
Scientists make considerable use of practically worthwhile but clearly errant models. For example, non-linear relationships are modelled as linear ones or dependent variables as independent ones, such as in DNA sequence analysis. However, existing statistical methods assume that the models used are correct. The researchers shall develop new methods that do not make this assumption. This will enable us to do more with less data.

Artificial molecules at the nano scale
Prof. J.L. (Jennifer) Herek (f) 11-10-1968, University of Twente - MESA+
Time and time again, nature uses complex structures of molecules to generate fantastically efficient solutions for a wide range of applications. The researchers shall construct artificial molecules that simulate the characteristics of these molecular complexes. With the aid of nanotechnology and ultrafast lasers they will try to develop new applications such as efficient solar cells.

Hooking DNA up with other materials
Prof. A. (Andreas) Herrmann (m) 14-10-1970, Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Germany), University of Groningen - Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials
DNA is well known as the carrier for genetic information. An interdisciplinary team shall use the unique molecular structure of DNA combined with synthetic molecules to create various multifunctional nano-objects. These include ultrasensitive diagnostics and self-guided programmable drug carriers.

Cellular circuits
Prof. F.C.P. (Frank) Holstege (m) 29-06-1966, Sittard, University Medical Center Utrecht – Physiological Chemistry
This project shall map which genes are mediated by which regulatory proteins. Thousands of regulatory proteins shall be individually inactivated to measure the effect of this on all genes. The regulatory circuits unravelled with this approach shall eventually contribute to the smarter design of drugs.

How is the flow of information regulated in the working brain?
Dr O. (Ole) Jensen (m) 25-05-1968, Roskilde (Denmark), Radboud University Nijmegen – Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
The researchers shall investigate how brain activity, produced by oscillating neurons, regulates the flow of information in the human brain. Advanced techniques shall be used to measure and influence the oscillations in the brain while the study subject undertakes various tasks.

Nanotechnology: the path from lab to production
Dr W.M.M. (Erwin) Kessels (m) 12-04-1973, Eindhoven University of Technology – Applied Physics
Nanotechnology is seen as the big promise for the future. By understanding and managing manufacturing processes at the atomic scale, the researcher shall develop new materials and methods. This should bridge the gap between laboratory research and the industrial production of products, such as novel electronics and solar cells.

Unlocking the chemistry of the heavens
Prof. H.V.J. (Harold) Linnartz (m) 16-10-1965, Heerlen, Leiden University - Observatory
The chemical reactions that occur in and around stars are exotic. Despite the low temperatures, strong radiation fields and low densities, complex molecules are formed. The researcher shall simulate processes in the laboratory that can explain the presence of the molecules observed in space.

Astronomical steering of the climate
Dr L.J. (Lucas) Lourens (m) 14-06-1966, Utrecht University - Geosciences
Wobbling of the earth’s axis and pulsation of the earth’s orbit cause climate changes. Ice ages or extreme greenhouse gas catastrophes can develop, dependent on the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Deep sea sediments and climate models shall be used to develop a detailed understanding of this process.

Measuring dynamic changes
Dr A. (Andre) Lucas (m) 30-09-1969, Poortugaal, VU University Amsterdam - Finance
Estimating economic risks (such as a financial crisis) is a difficult task, especially if the world keeps on changing. The researchers shall develop new models to measure such dynamic changes. They shall also study how this influences our understanding of the causes and potential size of economic risks.

Bridging the gap between granular systems and continuum theory
Prof. S. (Stefan) Luding (m) 16-08-1964, University of Twente – Multiscale Mechanics
Granular materials and granular systems are common everyday phenomena, which range from sand on the beach to muesli in the kitchen. They form 75% of all industrial raw materials. The grains in these systems influence each other and move together, which can lead to undesirable separation phenomena and even fatal phenomena, such as earthquakes and avalanches. Understanding and predicting the behaviour of these systems requires a combination of modern particle models and computer simulations with continuum theory, which is used wherever too many particles need to be considered.

Methods for diagnostic test evaluations
Prof. (Carl) Moons (m) 08-03-1967, Nijmegen, University Medical Center Utrecht, Clinical Epidemiology
Effective treatment starts with the right diagnosis. Technological progress means that the number of diagnostic tests available is increasing on an almost daily basis. There is a strict methodological framework for evaluating drugs. However to date, no such framework exists for the evaluation of new diagnostic tests. The researchers intend to define and evaluate these methodological guidelines.

Training the immune system against infections
Dr M.G. (Mihai) Netea (m) 25-12-1968, Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre – Medicine
The researchers shall investigate whether the natural immune system in humans can be trained so that it can act more effectively against infections. We shall also try to understand how this training works, so that this knowledge can be used to produce better vaccines.

Chromosome transfer in fungi
Dr M. (Martijn) Rep (m) 15-08-1968, University of Amsterdam - Phytopathology
Special chromosomes have been found to enable some fungi to cause diseases in plants. These chromosomes can be transferred from one fungus to another. The researchers shall unravel the mechanism of chromosome transfer and try to discover the origin of the special chromosomes.

Learning and forgetting a language
Dr M.S. (Monika) Schmid (f) 14-09-1967, University of Groningen - English Language and Literature
Is it true that people are less good at learning foreign languages once they reach a certain age? This project shall try to find out by comparing the processes of learning and forgetting a language.

Buddhism and social justice: doctrine, ideology and discrimination in tension
Prof. J.A. (Jonathan) Silk (m) 12-08-1960, Los Angeles, California, Leiden University - Indology
Buddhism has a reputation of being a religion of equality and liberation. How can this be reconciled with Singhalese Buddhists making war on Tamils, the Burmese junta shooting down monks, or the Thai navy towing helpless refugees out to sea? The researchers will explore the dynamic tension between ideals and practices of social justice, as negotiated in historically Buddhist societies.

The secrets of bones, teeth and shells
Dr N.A.J.M. (Nico) Sommerdijk (m) 14-06-1963, Hernen, Eindhoven University of Technology - Section of Materials and Interface Chemistry
Biominerals such as bones, teeth and shells have fascinating mechanical properties. The researchers shall try to understand how these materials are formed so that materials with similar properties can be constructed in the laboratory. They shall mimic the biomolecules concerned with polymers, and shall follow the development of the mineral structures using advanced electron microscopy techniques.

Our other genome unravelled
Prof. J.N. (Hans) Spelbrink (m) 07-10-1967, University of Tampere, Finland/ Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre - Institute for Genetic and Metabolic Disease
Mitochondria, the batteries of our cells, produce energy. Part of the blueprint for mitochondria is found on the mitochondrial DNA, ‘our other genome’. This project shall attempt to unravel which proteins are involved in maintaining the mitochondrial DNA.

Light and sound for medical diagnosis
Dr W. (Wiendelt) Steenbergen (m) 29-04-1964, University of Twente – Biophysical Engineering
Local measurements of the quantity of blood or medicines in the body can lead to a better diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The researchers shall use sound and light to make spatial images of the concentrations of these substances.

The geometry of superstrings
Dr S.J.G. (Stefan) Vandoren (m) 21-12-1968, Bilzen (Belgium), Utrecht University - Physics
Superstring theory strives to reach a quantum mechanical description of gravity and a unification with the elementary particles theory. The theory requires extra dimensions with a highly complex geometric structure. The aim of this project is to further develop and apply the geometry concerned.

Putting a brake on atherosclerosis
Prof. C. (Christian) Weber (m) 15-10-1967, Munich (Germany), Maastricht University – CARIM
Atherosclerosis is caused by an inflammatory reaction in coronary arteries which gives rise to ulcerous patches in the vessel wall. The advance of this inflammatory reaction is mediated by specific signalling proteins that originate from the platelets. The researcher shall study how these signalling proteins function, and how they can be stopped without the occurrence of harmful side effects.

The logic of words
Dr Y. (Yoad) Winter (m) 24-11-1966, Jerusalem (Israel), Utrecht University - Department of Modern Languages
We can only understand language thanks to a fascinating and complex interaction between logic and common sense. In this programme the researcher shall investigate how our everyday knowledge of language influences the way we use words in arguments. This shall be done by developing computer models for the processes that enable us to understand language.