ERC Proof of Concept grant for three groups UMC Utrecht
The teams of three principal investigators at UMC Utrecht have received a prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant. They are the groups of Hester den Ruijter, Ynte Ruigrok and Joost Sluijter. The funding will enable them to bring their scientific discoveries one step closer to application in practice.
The ERC Proof of Concept grant is a grant from the European Research Council (ERC) intended to support researchers in translating fundamental research into practical applications. The goal is to further develop promising research results and bring them closer to use in society, for example through prototypes, patents or collaborations with industry. Thanks to the awarded funding, the three research teams can further develop their innovative ideas. The following projects are involved:
Coronary heart disease early detection
Hester den Ruijter and her team are focusing on the development of an innovative blood test that helps in the early detection of coronary heart disease in both men and women. This application was co-authored by Tim Sakkers, who also plays a key role in the research. Coronary heart disease is often recognized too late in women because the symptoms and development are different than in men. This blood test uses DNA signals (cell-free DNA methylation biomarkers) secreted by calcified arteries (atherosclerotic plaques). This allows doctors to understand the state of the plaque and account for male-female differences. The test, which is affordable and easy to use, has the potential to be widely used in primary care without the need for a hospital visit.
Brain bleeding non-invasively prevented
Ynte Ruigrock’s team is focused on finding a non-invasive treatment for brain aneurysms to prevent fatal brain hemorrhages. PhD student Jos Kanning, co-supervised by associate professor Mirjam Geerlings of Amsterdam UMC and associate professor Shahab Abtahi of Utrecht University, has been instrumental in identifying five commonly prescribed drugs associated with a reduced risk of aneurysm-induced brain bleeding: lisinopril, amlodipine, tamsulosin, simvastatin and metformin. These drugs act on a specific molecular process, the TGF-β pathway, which plays an important role in vascular disease. The study combines genetic and epidemiological data to confirm the drugs’ actions and also looks at differences between men and women. The ultimate goal is to develop a safe and affordable treatment that can prevent bleeding from aneurysms, as an alternative to invasive surgery.
Delivering drugs better into the body
Joost Sluijter ’s team will explore a promising new way to deliver drugs into the body, using extracellular vesicles. These microscopic “packets” naturally transport substances between cells and have unique advantages over traditional methods. Using virus-like, smart proteins that self-assemble, the team is working on a more precise and effective system to deliver drugs exactly to the right place in the body. University lecturer Zhiyong Lei, postdoc Nazma Ilahibaks and PhD student Songpu Xie are each major contributors to this project. The goal? To develop a manufacturing process that not only works, but is also affordable and scalable.
About the ERC
The European Research Council (ERC) is Europe’s leading funding organization for innovative scientific research. An independent governing body, the Scientific Council, leads the organization. With its complementary Proof of Concept grant scheme, the ERC helps European scientists bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and the early stages of its commercialization. These projects have the potential to bring about real change in healthcare and science.
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.
Health Starts in the Community, Not in the Hospital
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.
Heineken Young Scientists Award for Miguel Leung
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.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).