Three young researchers win Rubicon grants from NWO to travel abroad

Three young researchers from the University of Groningen are going to conduct research abroad with the help of the Rubicon programme of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The Rubicon programme is part of NWO’s plans to give recent postdoc researchers the chance to gain research experience abroad at eminent institutions.

The awardees can use their Rubicon grant to finance up to 24 months of research. The amount of the grant depends on the chosen destination and the duration of the stay. Each year, NWO awards about 80 young researchers a Rubicon grant.

University of Groningen awardees

Searching for biomarkers for diabetes with new genetic techniques

Dr A. (Ali) Abbasi (m), -> Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge, Institute of Metabolic Science (UK), 24 months

Biomarkers are signals indicating metabolic disorders. It is important to know whether these biomarkers cause the disorder or are a consequence of it. New genetic techniques are being used to study these cause-effect issues in large-scale population studies in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Solar cells made of metal

Dr E. (Eric) Detsi (m), -> University of California Los Angeles, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry (USA), 24 months

Cheap and efficient photo-electrochemical cells are important for our future energy provision. This project will develop a new type of cell based on nanoporous metal. This may be cheaper and more efficient that traditional photo-electrochemical cells in semiconductors.

Discover faster and better new medicines via the computer

M.H. (Marnix) Medema, MSc (m), -> Max Planck Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Bremen (D), 24 months

Bacteria and fungi make all sorts of substances that can be used as antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs. Most of these substances are still completely unknown. By sampling as wide a range of chemical, genetic and ecological diversity as possible with a computer, the researchers want to track down new medicines in the biochemical universe.