ZonMW funds three Team Science projects
FHML participates in three research teams which will set up innovative collaborations that contribute to innovation in science and healthcare for the longer term. Each team has received a maximum of 750,000 euros from the programme ZonMw Open Competition.
Awarded projects:
Cornea regeneration instructed by molecular cell identity characterization
- Dr. H. (Jo Huiqing) Zhou – Radboud Universiteit
- Dr. M. (Mor) Dickman en dr. V.L.S. (Vanessa) LaPointe – Universiteit Maastricht
The current treatment for cornea damage depends on stem cells in the patient's own healthy eye. No treatment is available for patients with two injured eyes. Scientists will develop a novel regenerative technology to convert patient's skin and mouth cells into cornea stem cells to restore vision.
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Out in the cold!
- Prof. dr. P. (Patrick) Schrauwen – Universiteit Maastricht
- Dr. E. (Eric) Kalkhoven – UMC Utrecht
- Dr. J. (Joris) Hoeks – Universiteit Maastricht
- Prof. dr. S. (Sander) Kersten – Wageningen Universiteit en Research Center
In type 2 diabetes, tissues such as skeletal muscle take up less glucose, leading to elevated glucose levels in the blood. This research explores if cold-induced shivering, a type of muscle contraction that heavily relies on glucose for fuel, can stimulate glucose uptake and improve glucose control in diabetes patients.
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Recovery of the cell's energy factories for tissue repair in COPD: muscles to the rescue
- Prof. dr. I.H. (Irene) Heijink – UMC Groningen
- Dr. R.C.J. (Ramon) Langen en dr. H.R. (Harry) Gosker – Universiteit Maastricht
- Prof. dr. E.M.J. (Sabeth) Verpoorte – Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
COPD is a severe disease characterized by lung and often also muscle damage. We will investigate a novel concept where aberrant interaction between lung and muscle leads to defects in the cell’s energy factories and impaired tissue repair. By restoring these defects, we aim to improve lung and muscle function.
Photo: ZonMW
Programme ZonMw Open Competition
With a view to team science, the programme ZonMw Open Competition is specifically aimed at innovative and groundbreaking combinations of two or more research groups. The projects and the teams are assessed against criteria such as creativity, groundbreaking research of high quality, and the utilisation of knowledge via transmission and implementation through, among other approaches, the participation of stakeholders in the broadest sense of the word.
The composition of the teams and the synergy between the different research partners was another important element in the assessment. ZonMw is increasingly using the narrative CV in funding rounds, and it was now used for the first time to assess research teams. In a manner appropriate to the research question and design of the research project, researchers and research groups are assessed for research, education, and a good balance between individual talent and team science, scientific leadership, and contributions to Open Science. This form of assessment is part of the new Recognition and Rewarding.