World-class research grants for 'brain atlas' and 'the fate of proteins'

As part of the Zwaartekracht Program, these consortia can conduct groundbreaking research for the next ten years. The Dutch Education, Culture and Science Minister Dijkgraaf is making this funding available for researchers from one or more disciplines who work together in consortia. This encourages innovation, excellence and international positioning of Dutch research. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) conducted the selection process for the Zwaartekracht Grant.

Brain Atlas

The Institute for Chemical Neuroscience (iCNS) aims to discover what molecular changes in the brain underlying psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. Neurobiologists, chemists, psychiatrists and data scientists work closely together on human brain tissue. Young scientists are trained in combining chemistry, artificial intelligence and neurobiology. Their research will lead to a "brain atlas" of psychiatric symptoms, and to entirely new approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatments of psychiatric illnesses.

A total of ten Leiden researchers are involved in the consortium. Professor Mario van der Stelt (LIC) leads the consortium. Other researchers involved in the project are Kim Bonger (LIC), Elise Dusseldorp (Psychology), Stephan Hacker (LIC), Anthe Janssen (LIC), Sander van Kasteren (LIC), Alexander Kros (LIC), Ahmed Mahfouz (LUMC), Monique Mulder (LUMC), Martijn Verdoes (LUMC) and Gerard van Westen (LACDR).

Read more about the brain atlas on the website of (iCNS)

The fate of proteins

The team of scientists participating in the FLOW project will chart for the first time exactly how certain proteins are guided from cradle to grave in the cell. Ultimately, they can use this knowledge to determine the fate of those proteins. This could then lead to new therapies for diseases such as Parkinson's and cystic fibrosis. Alfred Vertegaal of LUMC has a leading role in the FLOW consortium. Monique Mulder is also involved in the project on behalf of LUMC.

For the first time ever, the scientists are going to create an overall picture of all the processes that contribute to the functioning of certain proteins in the cell. They want to know exactly how the cell ensures that a protein folds correctly and how it is maintained, from cradle to grave. In addition, they want to know how the cell clears a protein if it folds incorrectly. These processes require a network of helper proteins, also called "chaperones". Science has been studying this issue for half a century, always focusing on different proteins and parts of the process.

Read on the Leiden University website which other Leiden researchers have received a Zwaartekracht Grant.