Six Vici grants for physics research
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded six innovative scientists within the field of physics research a so-called Vici grant. The Vici grant is worth a maximum of 1,500,000 euros per person and is therefore one of the biggest individual grants in the Netherlands. Using the grant the researchers can set up their own line of research within a period of five years. A total of 31 scientists have received a Vici grant.
Just like the other grants from the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme, Vici is intended for innovative and groundbreaking researchers. The researchers can use the grant to build up their own line of research over a period of five years. Therefore Vici is not only a boost for the researchers who receive it, but by awarding this grant NWO also creates opportunities for a large number of young researchers.
The Vici grant is one of the three types of grant in the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme. The other two grants are the Veni grant (for researchers who have recently gained their doctorates) and the Vidi grant (for experienced postdocs). The Innovational Research Incentives Scheme is aimed at researchers who want to carry out challenging and groundbreaking research. The scheme has been set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Culture and Science, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Dutch universities.
A list of the six physics-related research proposals awarded funding is given below.
Extreme phenomena in soft materials
Prof. (Martin) van Hecke (m) Leiden University – Condensed materials (FOM workgroup leader)
Foam and sand are soft materials that can lose their overall mechanical strength. In this research the extreme phenomena that these materials exhibit will be unravelled, such as shockwaves, non-linearity and fracture. This will lead to a new understanding of their mechanics.
Controlling life processes with light
Dr J.T.M. (John) Kennis (m) VU University Amsterdam- Biophysics (former FOM researcher)
One of the biggest challenges in biology is being able to use light to control life processes in cells and organs with the aim of better understanding how these progress and being able to intervene where desired. The researchers will develop, study and improve the molecular ‘tools’ that will make it possible to control such processes.
The secret reactions of proteins
Prof. J. (Jos) Oomens (m) FOM DIFFER / University of Amsterdam – HIMS (DIFFER group leader)
Although protein sequencing is at present completely based on dissociation reactions in the mass spectrometer, the actual reaction mechanisms are not well understood. In this project they will be investigated using an innovative combination of mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry.
Nanoparticles in fluids and fluids in nanostructures
Dr R. (René) van Roij (m) Utrecht University - Institute for Theoretical Physics (FOM workgroup leader)
Nanoparticles with dimensions of between one-thousandth and one-millionth of a millimetre can, if they are in a fluid such as brine, spontaneously arrange themselves in a regular structure such as a three-dimensional crystalline stack. The researchers will study the complex interaction between nanoparticles and fluid with the aim of being able to predict or explain the crystals formed. Liquids in porous materials will also be examined, as this is directly relevant for the generation of energy from fresh and salt water.
Ancient material
Prof. R.J.M. (Raimond) Snellings (m) Utrecht University - Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute for Subatomic Physics (FOM researcher)
About ten microseconds after the Big Bang at a temperature of a billion degrees the universe underwent a phase transition. At that moment the fluid of quarks and gluons condensed into the material that surrounds us now (the protons and neutrons). At CERN, where hundreds of mini Big Bangs are currently created per second, this research project will investigate this type of ancient material and the associated phase transition.
Molecular origami
Prof. S.J. (Sander) Tans (m) FOM AMOLF - Biophysics (AMOLF group leader)
In our cells mysterious proteins help to ‘fold up’ new amino acid chains into a 3D functional protein. Folding errors by the so-called chaperones can result in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The secrets of this higher form of origami will be investigated by grabbing a single protein at its ends so that the folding process can be directly followed as small changes in length and force.
Former FOM researcher Alexander van Oudenaarden has also received a Vici grant:
Counting in cells
Prof. A. (Alexander) van Oudenaarden (m) Utrecht University / Hubrecht Institute
There are two important steps in the production of a protein: transcription during which the DNA code is copied into mRNA and translation in which the code in the mRNA molecule is used to produce a protein. This research project will focus on the development of new technology that will make it possible to accurately quantify the transcription and translation process in intact cells down to the resolution of a single molecule.