Vidi grant for three Life Sciences researchers

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded a Vidi grant to Ginny Farias (Utrecht University), Martijn Gloerich (UMC Utrecht) and Marvin Tanenbaum (Hubrecht Institute), worth 800,000 euros. The grant enables them to develop their own innovative line of research and set up their own research group.

Ginny Farias - Cell Biology, Utrecht University

Right distribution required for the right function
In the brain, neurons require a precise organelle distribution to function correctly. In many neurological diseases their positioning is affected. The researcher will use innovative molecular and advanced microscopy techniques to modify the position of organelles analysing the functional consequences for the neuron.

Martijn Gloerich - Biology, UMC Utrecht

Having a good sense for when to divide
A layer of epithelial cells protects your body and various organs from the outside environment. This layer is continuously being renewed due to cell loss and gain of new cells. The researcher investigates how cells sense when they need to divide to ensure a proper balance with cell loss.

Marvin Tanenbaum - Cell Biology, Hubrecht Institute

How accurate is our genetic information translated
All the information to produce the proteins that make up the human body is stored in our genes. Accurate decoding of the genetic information is critical to prevent disease. In this proposal, highly sensitive microscopy will be used to reveal how accurate decoding of genes is achieved.