Rhabdoid tumor cells targeted through their building blocks
PhD candidate Marjolein Kes has identified new therapeutic targets for the treatment of rhabdoid tumors (MRT). In the laboratory, Kes found that inhibiting the production of DNA building blocks slows the division of tumor cells and can even cause them to disappear. These findings form the basis for the development of a new clinical study. Yesterday, she received her PhD from Utrecht University.
Fantastic atmosphere at the Utrecht Science Park during the Utrecht Marathon 2026
On Sunday, May 31, Utrecht was all about sport: the Utrecht Marathon, with the Utrecht Science Park serving as both the start and finish location, brought together thousands of enthusiastic runners and spectators.
A person’s health is shaped by more than access to medical care. Factors such as income, housing, stress, social environment, and access to essential services all play an important role. That is why researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and residents are working together to reduce health inequalities and create healthier communities.
Miguel Leung, group leader at the Hubrecht Institute since 2024, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2026. This award recognizes young researchers who have made outstanding scientific achievements, setting an example for other young scientists. With his research group at the Hubrecht Institute, Miguel Leung investigates the 3D structure of protein complexes, tiny machines at work inside each of our cells. The group focuses on highly specialized cells that perform specific functions, such as sperm and egg cells.
Dr. Matheus dos Santos Dias has started as a group leader at the Princess Máxima Center. Together with his team, he is investigating an innovative idea. Instead of inhibiting signals in cancer cells, they aim to further stimulate these signals to overwhelm and kill the cells. In the long term, this approach may lead to effective and potentially less burdensome treatments for children with cancer.
On Tuesday, 2 June, the renewed Coimbra Square and the new Buurthuys were officially opened at Utrecht Science Park. During a festive gathering, residents, students, staff, and partners came together to celebrate and officially open these new community spaces.
Lumox, a startup from the Utrecht innovation ecosystem, has won the NL Startup Competition at Upstream Festival in Rotterdam. Organised by the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, the competition is one of the largest startup contests in the Netherlands, bringing together promising early-stage ventures from across the country.
On Sunday 31 May 2026, Utrecht will once again be fully dedicated to the HiPRO Utrecht Marathon supported by Utrecht Science Park. With a large amount of participants in the previous edition, the event has grown into a staple for runners from Utrecht and far beyond. This year also promises to be a special edition, featuring the new addition of the Dutch National Championships Half Marathon (NK Halve Marathon). Utrecht Science Park will once again be the vibrant heart of the event, where sport, energy, and connection come together.
After nine years, Jan Henk van der Velden will step down as Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation effective this coming July 1. As of September 1, 2026, Jan Henk will become Managing Director of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park Foundation. He announced his departure several months ago.
Around one hundred new nest boxes have recently been put up at Utrecht University Botanic Gardens. They were placed by intern Mila Brouwer (17), a student of Ecology & Wildlife. With this addition, there are now about two hundred nest boxes in the Gardens, providing birds with nesting sites and helping to map biodiversity in the area.
UMC Utrecht has commissioned a third surgical robot. With the arrival of the latest generation, the Da Vinci 5, even more patients can be operated on with minimal stress. This leads to fewer complications and faster recovery. “Apart from the benefits for patients, the Da Vinci 5 also allows us to train even better,” says Jelle Ruurda, gastrointestinal surgeon and professor of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. “At the touch of a button, colleagues can watch remotely, and even learn from previous operations. This way we share knowledge faster and more widely.” The hospital is thus building on a tradition of 25 years at the forefront of robotic surgery.
The Entrepreneurship & Retail Management (ORM) program will relocate from Amersfoort to the Utrecht Science Park as of September 1, 2026. According to program manager Lisette Luijk (Institute for Marketing & Commerce), it is mainly about one thing: more connection.