Three NVBMB members received a VIC grant.

Keeping up appearances
Dr. N.M. (Nina) van Sorge (f), UMCU – Medical Microbiology

Bacteria are all covered by a thick cell wall, predominantly composed of sugars. The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus can cover itself in different ‘sugar coats’. Microbiologists think that recognition of these different sugar coats is a key factor in immune defense and for the development of new antibiotics and vaccines.

In shape during stress
Prof. dr. C.S. (Christa) Testerink (f), WUR

Drought and salinity of the soil present threats to plants, as basic development is impaired under these stressful conditions. Plants mount responses above- and belowground to locally overcome the general block in development. I will investigate how this developmental flexibility is achieved and will exploit it to improve stress resilience.

Poor old Pores
Dr. L.M. (Liesbeth) Veenhoff (f), UMCG

The researchers of this research want to learn how and why a cell changes when it ages. The research is specifically aimed at revealing changes in the nuclear pores: the gatekeepers to the nucleus. Eventually, this fundamental knowledge will contribute to discovery of the common cause of multiple age-related diseases.