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H.G.K. Westenbrink prize

Westenbrink prize 2019/2020: João Medeiros Silva

The H.G.K. Westenbrink prize 2019-2020 has been awarded to Dr. João Medeiros Silva for his thesis entitled “Towards the physiologically relevant state with high-resolution solid-state NMR”. The research was conducted at the University of Utrecht under the supervision of Dr. Markus Weingarth.

   Photo_Joao Medeiros Silva.jpg        Graphical Abstract-s.jpg

Medeiros Silva developed an innovative method by integrating state-of-the-art solid-state NMR with 1H detection and high field dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). This makes it possible to accurately determine the structure of complex transmembrane domains under physiological conditions. The research, for which bacterial membranes were used, also provides insight into how the local cellular environment affects the binding of antibiotics. This method elucidated the mechanism of action of teixobactin, one of the most promising new antibiotics. “This very original research has resulted in a thesis of exceptionally high quality,” said the jury. The prize will be awarded during the NVBMB spring symposium on March 31, 2021.

Westenbrink prize 2018/2019: Liqin Wang

The H.G.K.Westenbrink prize 2018/2019 has been awarded to Dr. Liqin Wang for his thesis " A one-two punch model for cancer therapy " (promotor: Prof. dr. R. Bernards, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam).

     

Using melanoma cells as a model system Liqin Wang developed a very original two-step cancer treatment. In step 1 the cells become resistant to the first cancer drug, but they become also weak due to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In step 2 this weakness is exploited by administering the second cancer drug, which kills the cells by raising ROS levels further. This idea is now being tested in the clinic and the first results are promising. Liqin followed this up by finding a more general “weakness” by inducing senescence in cancer cells. It is expected that his two-step procedure using sequential drugs may be further developed into a general treatment strategy for cancer. The jury finds the quality of Liqin Wang’s thesis and publications of extremely high quality.

About the Westenbrink prize

The H.G.K. Westenbrink prize was established by the Stichting Stimulering Biochemie Nederland (SSBN) and is awarded each year to the best thesis in the area of biochemistry and molecular biology in the previous academic year. The prize includes a charter and  € 2.000, which are handed out during the fall symposium of the NVBMB. Hendrik Gerrit Koob Westenbrink (1901-1964) was a professor in Physiological Chemistry in Utrecht. After World War II he worked very hard to get biochemical research in the Netherlands back to the internation level, as he was well aware of the significant stagnation that had taken place in Dutch biochemical research during the war years.

How to nominate candidates

The board of the SSBN invites you to send nominations for the H.G.K. Westenbrink prize. Please note the following:

  • candidates can only be nominated by their promotor or co-promotor;
  • candidates have to defend at a Dutch university but need not be of Dutch nationality; 
  • the research should be in the broad area of the molecular life sciences.

To nominate, send the following documents to the SSBN secretary, dr. H. van Ingen (nvbmb@kncv.nl):

  • nomination letter with short motivation describing the importance and quality of the thesis;
  • digital version of the thesis;
  • CV of candidate.
  • Also send the six hardcopies of the thesis to the NVBMB secretariat.
  • The deadline for nominations for the academic year 2019/2020 is July 15, 2020.
  • The jury will judge the theses that have been nominated. The winner will be announced in the fall.

The jury consists of:

  • Prof. dr. Saskia M.van der Vies (chair), Amsterdam University Medical Center
  • Prof. em. dr. Rob Kaptein, Utrecht University
  • Prof. dr. Ida J. van der Klei , University of Groningen
  • Prof. dr. John van der Oost, Wageningen University & Research
  • Dr. Yves J.M. Bollen, VU University, Amsterdam
  • Dr. Ir.Ingrid Dijkgraaf, Maastricht University
  • NVBMB prizes and awards
  • NVBMB prize
  • H.G.K. Westenbrink prize
  • NVBMB Dr. Bert L. Schram award

Previous HGK Westenbrink Prize Winners

2019/2020 João Medeiros Silva
2018/2019 Liqin Wang
2017/2018 Pascal Miesen
2016/2017 Lotteke Swier
2015/2016 Joost Snijder
2014/2015 Andreas Angermayr
2013/2014 Tessa Quax
2012/2013 Edze Westra
2011/2012 Anne Meinema
2010/2011 Charlotte Uetrecht
2009/2010 Matthijs Raaben
2008/2009 Geert van den Bogaart

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