In total six scientists from VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc have been awarded a Vidi grant. The three scientists from the Faculty of Science are investigating the following topics:
How do fast neurons work in our cognition?
Our ability to think, reason, solve problems, depends on the activity of neurons in our brain. Recent studies show that our neurons can generate fast signals to process large amounts of information, but the mechanisms behind this fast signalling are unknown. Neurophysiologist Natalia Goriounova will investigate how specialized types of human neurons generate and maintain fast signals. Thereby, she will also look at the gene expression in these neurons to find out how these neurons process information quickly.
Relationship between fat accumulation in our brain and Alzheimer’s disease
Genetic risk factors that increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease have a major role in brain fat metabolism and immune function. Neurobiologist Rik van der Kant (affiliated with VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC) will investigate how fat accumulation in the brain contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Based on these insights, he hopes to eventually be able to create new pharmaceutical interventions that can prevent or treat the disease.
Unravelling the synaptic code of memory
Memory formation and its storage requires strengthening of connections between sparsely distributed neurons that are activated at the time of learning. Neurobiologist Priyanka Rao-Ruiz will causally pinpoint and connect the molecular and cellular processes that underlie and regulate this strengthening. By doing so, she hopes to define how memories are structured in memory-encoding nerve cells. Based on these findings, she and her research group aim to unravel the synaptic code of successful memory formation.
Vidi funding
NWO has awarded a total of 101 experienced researchers a Vidi grant. The Vidi programme is aimed at experienced researchers who have carried out several years of successful research since obtaining their doctorate. Along with the Veni and Vici grants, the Vidi grants form part of NWO’s Talent Programme (previously, the Innovative Research Incentives Scheme). A total of 625 researchers submitted research project proposals for funding in this Vidi round.