Three NWO ENW-M grants for FSE researchers

Three projects by researchers of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (UG) will receive ENW-M grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). Dr. Kristina Haslinger and Dr. Thomas Hackl receive EUR 750,00 for research on fungi in the potato microbiome. Prof. Adriaan Minnaard and Dr. Marion Nicolaus receive EUR 400,000 for research on carbohydrate modifications and camouflage strategies of a freshwater fish in the Netherlands.

The ENW M grant offers researchers the opportunity to develop creative, high-risk ideas and bring about scientific innovations in all disciplines of the Exact and Natural Sciences. 

Who are you and what do you do? Getting to know fungi in the inner potato microbiome

Dr. Kristina Haslinger and Dr. Thomas Hackl 
All plants are home to microbes contributing to plant health and resilience. Some microbes associate with the outside of the plant, some with the inner tissues. Research has shown that this inner microbiome is less variable across growth seasons, age, and generations of plants. Since potatoes are propagated through their tubers, researchers hypothesize that equipping them with a healthy microbiome will enhance their resilience to pathogen infection and effects of climate change. In this study, researchers strive to learn more about fungi in the tuber microbiome to make predictions on their biological role for the next potato generation. 

New Light on Carbohydrate Modifications

Prof. Adriaan Minnaard
Carbohydrates are everywhere in nature. Recognition by cells of the immune system and communication between cells in the body largely depends on carbohydrates. Therefore it is important to study carbohydrates, both to understand how these work but also to use them as the basis for novel drugs and vaccines. Carbohydrates, however, come as complex mixtures upon isolation from biological material and this makes it impossible to study the precise role of each component. This proposal aims to prepare complex carbohydrates in a novel way, and in addition to equip these with tags and labels to trace these compounds in cells and tissue. 

Staying hidden in a changing world: The adaptiveness of fish camouflage strategies

Dr. Marion Nicolaus 
Environmental changes negatively impact the effectiveness of animal camouflage strategies important for survival. Although plasticity in camouflage strategies may enable adaptation to these changes, we currently lack understanding regarding the degree of camouflage plasticity and adaptiveness for many species. This project will investigate the camouflage strategies of a freshwater fish in the Netherlands. We will study the plasticity, survival benefit, and impacts of environmental stressors on camouflage strategies using field and experimental studies. Our project will provide findings important to animal ecology and conservation by providing novel insights regarding the adaptive capacity of fish camouflage strategies in a changing world. 

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From the microbiome of potatoes to gravitational waves: 21 projects started at the Open Competition Domain Science-M programme (NWO)