5 March 2012
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded five researchers from the UvA and AMC-UvA a grant as a part of the Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme. The grant is intended for the purchase of equipment and the establishment of data collections. In total, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded 28 grants for a total amount of 9.9 million euros.
Many researchers depend on large pieces of equipment, data collections and new software to carry out their work, Through its Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme, the NWO finances such large acquisitions, which tend to be too costly for individual groups. In total, the NWO received 94 grant applications for this round of Investment Subsidy NWO Medium grants. The applications were assessed by university staff in the Netherlands and abroad. The NWO awarded a total of 28 grants.
The aim of the Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme is to stimulate and support investments in research infrastructure. The NWO covers up to 75 of the necessary investment costs. The institution conducting the study will contribute at least 25 percent. The NWO’s contribution will range from 110,000 to 1,500,000 Euros.
Prof. J. Booij (UvA/AMC-UvA) – Charting brain functions with SPECT
SPECT is an imaging technique that enables studies of the brain at molecular level in a living human subject. Jan Booij will be providing a new SPECT system (with high position resolution) in order to gain greater insight in the functioning and disfunctioning of the human brain.
Dr T.M. Breit (UvA) – New applications for DNA sequencing
The second generation of DNA sequencers is creating a revolution in medical and biomedical research. Over the course of the next few years, Timo Breit will be using the SOLiD-5500 sequencing system to further develop and apply second generation sequencing technology in life sciences domains such as plant breeding, bacteria resistance and cancer research.
Prof. J.W.J. Burgers (UvA) – Using computers to date handwriting from the Middle Ages
In many cases, documents from the Middle Ages and other historic periods can only be dated by a handful of experts on the basis of handwriting. For the first time, Jan Burgers will now be analysing the development of handwriting in the Late Middle Ages on the basis of dated material and learning computer technology, in order to develop an automatic dating system for historic handwriting.
Dr M. Siebes (AMC-UvA)- Fluorescent biomarkers in 3D
In order to study a range of diseases, researchers must ensure the visibility of fluorescent biomarkers and the detailed anatomy of organs and their vascular structure. Maria Siebes will be conducting her research using a cryomicrotome with a light-sensitive camera for 3D reconstruction.
Prof. R.J.A. Wanders (UvA) Metabolism in a new light
Disruptions of the body’s metabolism contribute to the development of diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Ronald Wanders will be using the Seahorse Bioscience XF analyzer to measure these disruptions in small quantities of patient tissue, allowing for research results to be translated more rapidly into practical applications that benefit the patient.