Gravitation Funding (Zwaartekracht-subsidie) for project FLOW – Towards health via protein quality control

Seven consortia with top scientists from various Dutch universities received a total of 160.5 million euros. The Gravitation funding will enable these consortia to conduct pioneering research over the next ten years. Minister Dijkgraaf (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science) is making this funding available for researchers from one or more disciplines who are working together in consortia. This fosters innovation, excellence, and the international positioning of Dutch research. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) carried out the selection process for the Gravitation program. One of the projects that was awarded this Gravitation funding is FLOW.

FLOW
Health is not a given as it is often challenged by the body’s own proteins. To prevent harm, cells have a vast quality-control system in place that supports and corrects proteins on their way to health but also removes damaging proteins. Failure of the quality-control system results in many diseases including Alzheimer, Parkinson, cystic fibrosis, metabolic diseases, and cystic fibrosis. The FLOW consortium of 15 researchers will, for the first time, comprehensively chart the supervision of specific proteins within the cell, from cradle to grave. Ultimately, leveraging this understanding, they aim to exert control over the fate of these proteins. Such insights could pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches targeting diseases like Parkinson and cystic fibrosis. Ineke Braakman (UU) is lead applicant of the grant and coordinates the FLOW consortium consisting of Mireille Claessens (UT), Friedrich Förster (UU), Mark Hipp (UMCG), Stefan Rüdiger (UU), Alfred Vertegaal (LUMC), Arnold Boersma (UU), Martijn Huynen (Radboudumc), Harm Kampinga (UMCG), Monique Mulder (LUMC), Peter van der Sluijs (UU), Evan Spruijt (RU), Kasia Tych (RUG) and Anne Wentink (LU).

Further reading
OCW: Kabinet investeert in wetenschap op wereldtopniveau
C2W: Bakken met geld voor moleculair onderzoek
Radio interview: BNR interview
Utrecht University:  Gravitation award for FLOW: “We will be able to steer the fates of proteins”
Radboud University: Gravitation grant for research project FLOW
University of Groningen: UG/UMCG researchers receive prestigious research grant
UMCG: UMCG onderzoekers grote subsidie ontvangen van NWO Zwaartekracht
Leiden University: Gravitation funding for five projects with Leiden researchers
LUMC: Gravitation funding Zwaartekracht subsidie for LUMC ccb researchers Alfred Vertegaal and Monique Mulder
Grants for brain atlas and the fate of proteins
University of Twente: UT scientists involved in three Gravitation projects