Two ACS researchers have been honored this year with the Amsterdam UMC Fellowship. Dr. Nam Bui (Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine) and Dr. Najim Lahrouchi (Department of Experimental Cardiology) will each receive a grant of €750,000 for their promising research projects.

Nam Bui
‘Harnessing the power of human nutrition and the
microbiome for metabolic fitness and mineral deficiency.'

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are escalating global health challenges with major societal impact. The gut microbiome is a critical mediator between diet and metabolic health and represents a promising target for prevention and treatment. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbes improve adiposity and insulin sensitivity, yet current strategies to increase SCFA levels have been largely ineffective. My recent findings reveal that gut bacteria can degrade phytate - an abundant phytocompound in whole grains and seeds - into SCFAs while simultaneously releasing essential minerals. This project will harness these processes and design microbial consortia to improve metabolism and mineral absorption, offering novel solutions for metabolic diseases.

Dr. Bui previously received a VENI grant and a Postdoc Career Bridging grant.

Najim Lahrouchi

'Congenital heart disease: deciphering its complex genetic basis.'

The precise causes of congenital heart disease
remain largely unknown. Although genetic factors are known to play a role, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This limits the ability of clinicians to assess familial risk, conduct prenatal testing, and provide accurate counseling. Najim is working to uncover the genetic basis of congenital heart disease by investigating the relationship between genetic variation and different forms of heart defects. He has established a global database of clinical and genetic information from thousands of patients, compiled through collaborations with biobanks, hospitals, and researchers worldwide. His research integrates this data with advanced transcriptomics to analyze gene activity in the developing heart. Using cutting-edge bioinformatics, he aims to identify novel causal genes and genetic pathways. This paves the way for improved diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease.

Dr. Lahrouchi has previously been honored with an Ammodo Science Fellowship, a VENI grant, and a ZonMw Off Road grant.

The Amsterdam UMC Fellowship is awarded annually to talented researchers who excel in their field and make significant contributions to the strategic research of Amsterdam UMC. The projects have a duration of 5 years.

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