Veni for researcher Patrick Deelen

Dr Patrick Deelen of the Department of Genetics of the UMCG has been awarded an NWO Veni grant of 250.000 euro for scientific research. The Veni grant enables young, talented researchers to develop their ideas further for a period of three years.

Patrick's Veni research project, The Shared Focal Point of Common Diseases and Rare Diseases, aims to integrate current knowledge about the genetic causes of common diseases with bioinformatic gene networks to predict which genes cause rare disease. The ultimate goal of this work is to enable a genetic diagnosis for the approximately 60% of patients suspected of having genetic disorders who currently go without a diagnosis.

The Veni, together with the Vidi and Vici, is part of the Innovational Reseach Incentives Scheme of the NWO, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (Dutch Research Council). The aim of the programme is to foster innovative research. The Veni grants are personal grants and awarded by the NOW annually. See www.NWO for more information.