Four Utrecht Researchers Awarded Rubicon Grant for Foreign Research
Four Utrecht-based researchers who have recently received their PhDs can do their research at institutes abroad thanks to a Rubicon grant from NWO. The grant is awarded to Kyra Defourny (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), D.S.H. Andel (UMC Utrecht), Jeroen Bugter (UMC Utrecht) and Antonio Tomasso (Hubrecht Institute).
For many researchers, experience abroad is an important step in their career. The Rubicon programme gives young, highly promising researchers the opportunity to gain international research experience at an institute that offers the best environment for their research. In total, seventeen Rubicon grants were awarded.
Projects and laureates
A better understanding of the flu: how can influenza virus affect your brain?
Kyra Defourny (UU), 24 months to VIB Center for Inflammation Research
Airway infections with viruses such as Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can result in acute and chronic neurological symptoms and promote development of neurodegenerative disease. To explain these phenomena, this project will investigate if membrane vesicles produced by cells infected with Influenza enter the brain and affect both brain and lung function.
The cancer pedigree: unraveling how colorectal cancer spreads to the peritoneum
D.S.H. Andel (UMC Utrecht), 12 months to Harvard Medical School
Metastases to the peritoneum are associated with a poor prognosis, but the mechanisms by which peritoneal metastases arise are largely unknown. In this project, the researcher will reconstruct the life history of colorectal cancer cells that have spread to the peritoneum and identify the molecular characteristics of metastasizing cells.
Mapping determinants of phenotypic plasticity and diversity in colorectal cancer
Jeroen Bugter (UMC Utrecht), 24 months to Technische Universität München
Understanding shape-shifting cancer cells – Cancer cells possess the clever ability to change identity during metastasis to different organs or to evade therapy. The researcher aims to systematically disable tumour cell genes to identify those responsible for shape-shifting. Herein the researcher leverages unique genetic technologies that were developed in Munich. This study may reveal targets for novel therapies.
Molecular and cellular determinants of the perivascular niche-to-wound fibroblasts transition in skin fibrosis via multi-omics and spatial biology
Antonio Tomasso (Hubrecht Institute), 24 months to Stanford University
Every wound leaves a mark, but why scars linger remains a mystery. In the exploration of the enigmatic world of fibroblasts – the cellular architects – the researchers are determined to unveil the secrets of organ fibrosis and rewrite the healing script by targeting specific fibroblast types to promote scarless tissue repair.