Harsha Devalla, Jurjan Aman and Marten Hoeksema have been awarded a Vidi grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The grant enables experienced researchers to develop their own innovative line of research and set up or expand their own research group.

Harsha Devalla
How do genetic differences influence heart rate? Decoding the neuro-cardiac dialogue.

Abnormal heart rate increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Hundreds of DNA regions have been linked to heart rate, but their biological functions remain undiscovered. Scientists at the Amsterdam UMC will use innovative human stem cell-derived systems. By combining heart pacemaker cells (which generate the heartbeat) and autonomic nerve cells (which speed up or slow down the rhythm), the team aims to identify processes that influence the electrical activity of heart cells. This research will improve understanding of how genetics determine heart function, contributing to the development of effective treatments for heart rhythm disorders.

Jurjan Aman
Healthy vessels for healthy lungs

Lung disease is often linked to airway damage, but the tiny blood vessels in the lungs (microvasculature) are also crucial for lung health. Factors like smoking and aging can damage these vessels, yet research has mostly focused on airways. This project aims to identify key genes/proteins that help to maintain the microvasculature. By combining existing human lung cell data with patient-derived cells and preclinical disease models, my goal is to understand how these ‘stability factors’ work and whether activating them could reverse lung disease. This groundbreaking approach may lead to novel therapies targeting blood vessels to improve lung health.

Marten Hoeksema
MAF matters: fine-tuning macrophage inflammatory responses (MAFMAC)

Macrophages are crucial immune cells present in all our tissues. My preliminary data show that binding of MAF transcription factors to the DNA is needed for inflammatory gene activation in macrophages. However, their precise role in turning on pro-inflammatory gene programs remains unclear. In my Vidi, I will identify which MAF proteins drive excessive inflammation and how they exert their functions. This will enable precise targeting of MAF proteins to control macrophage responses and counteract inflammatory disease.

About the Vidi grant

Vidi is a funding instrument in the NWO Talent Programme. It allows researchers who have already spent several years doing postdoctoral research to develop or expand their own innovative line of research. This year, NWO has awarded a Vidi grant to 149 researchers. Read more about the 2024 laureates and there projects.