News
Vaccination is a powerful strategy to induce the activation of tumor‐specific effector immune cells, which is key for successful immunotherapy. However, the generation of effective anticancer nanovaccines is challenging. One of these challenges is the efficient co-encapsulation of antigenic peptides or proteins together with antigen-presenting cell activating adjuvants because of their differential physicochemical properties.
ICI researcher Mario van der Stelt (Leiden University) has been awarded a prestigious Vici grant by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). He receives 1.5 million Euro to develop his own research project (The body's own marijuana) in the coming 5 years.
Researchers at Utrecht University and Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands, have for the first time made a picture of an important on-switch of our immune system. Their novel technical approach already led to the discovery of not one, but two ways in which the immune system can be activated. This kind of new insights are important for designing better therapies against infections or cancer, according to team leaders Piet Gros and Thom Sharp. Their findings are published on February 16, 2018 in the journal Science.
On 1 February Utrecht University has appointed ICI researcher Celia Berkers as Professor of Metabolomics at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Science (Department of Chemistry).
Berkers will mainly focus on metabolism research in order to better understand the role of metabolic processes in health and disease.
Are you curious about her story and her future plans? Then view the portrait of Celia.
Mario van der Stelt has been appointed Professor of Molecular Physiology at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry with effect from 1 November 2017.
The majority of current cancer immunotherapies focus on PD-L1. This well studied protein turns out to be controlled by a partner, CMTM6, a previously unexplored molecule that is now suddenly also a potential therapeutic target. Researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute publish these findings in the leading journal Nature on August 16.
Today NWO president Stan Gielen announced that Utrecht University Professor Albert Heck has been awarded an NWO Spinoza Prize. Heck has been given this prize for his exceptional, pioneering and inspiring work. The NWO Spinoza Prize is the highest scientific distinction in the Netherlands. The laureates will each receive 2.5 million euros which they can spend on scientific research.
Every year The Young Academy selects ten talented new researchers to add to its ranks. In addition to their proven research excellence, Young Academy members take a broad interest in science and in science communication.
This year, Celia Berkers from the ICI and Utrecht University has been selected as a new KNAW Young Academy member for a five-year period. She will be inducted on 8 June 2017 in Amsterdam.
Professor Albert Heck, Utrecht University and member of the ICI executive board, has received an honory membership of the Spanish Proteomics Society. Heck was honored during the Opening Ceremony of the 6th Congress of the Spanish Proteomics Society in Cadiz on November 15th 2016.
On the picture Heck receives the award from Angel García, President of the Spanish Proteomics Society.