Nieuws /en en Sat, 25 Oct 2025 23:09:57 +0200 Thu, 23 Oct 25 12:37:00 +0200 The tomato of the future may not need a plant /en/news/the-tomato-of-the-future-may-not-need-a-plant Tomatoes might not even need the rest of the plant to grow. According to a new vision from biologists, this idea could make the way we produce food far more sustainable and resilient. 153163 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:37:00 +0200 Nieuws Han Wösten wins Huibregtsen Prize 2025 /en/news/han-wosten-wins-huibregtsen-prize-2025 Microbiologist Han Wösten has been awarded the prestigious Huibregtsen Prize 2025. The prize recognises Wösten's innovative and fundamental research into new sustainable materials from fungi-based compounds. 153011 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:20:00 +0200 Nieuws Biologist Jason Gardiner secures €1 million grant to study how flowers make patterns /en/news/biologist-jason-gardiner-secures-eu1-million-grant-to-study-how-flowers-make-patterns A new project aims to build fundamental knowledge about flower pigmentation, with real-world applications. This may help breeders create more stable flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The grant is awarded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). 152123 Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:04:00 +0200 Nieuws Many medicine users prefer sustainable options, even if they cost more /en/news/many-medicine-users-prefer-sustainable-options-even-if-they-cost-more Research team urges better education on the environmental impact of medicines, helping patients make informed choices and reduce waste and costs. 151515 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0200 Nieuws From farmland to jungle: working together to measure and save biodiversity /en/news/from-farmland-to-jungle-working-together-to-measure-and-save-biodiversity Deep in the lush green heart of Costa Rica, researchers are tackling a major question: how can we restore biodiversity and measure whether our efforts are actually working? “This is way more than just a scientific study.” 150384 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0200 Nieuws Inspiring connections at the 2nd Bioinformatics Industry Day /en/news/inspiring-connections-at-the-2nd-bioinformatics-industry-day The Bioinformatics Industry Day 2025 brought together students, researchers, and professionals from across the life sciences sector. The event served as a platform for bioinformatics students and researchers to explore career opportunities outside academia. 150073 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:48:00 +0200 Nieuws Our immune system relies on a stable set of antibodies that barely changes over time /en/news/our-immune-system-relies-on-a-stable-set-of-antibodies-that-barely-changes-over-time A small group of antibodies in your blood stays the same for years, even after vaccines. These stable antibodies create a unique and personal immune 'fingerprint' that barely changes over time. The discovery helps explain how long-term immunity works. 148896 Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:12:00 +0200 Nieuws Bas van Steensel appointed Professor of Chromosome Biology /en/news/bas-van-steensel-appointed-professor-of-chromosome-biology Utrecht ľϸӰ has appointed Bas van Steensel as Special Professor of Chromosome Biology. Van Steensel will lead fundamental research into how chromosomes function and how genetic information is expressed in our bodies. 148288 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0200 Nieuws Gorillas match chimpanzees in self-awareness study /en/news/gorillas-match-chimpanzees-in-self-awareness-study Gorillas may have greater self-awareness than scientists previously thought. A new study finds that gorillas perform just as well as chimpanzees in tests that require awareness of their own bodies. Researchers now encourage using different types of tests to better understand self-awareness in animals. 147830 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0100 Nieuws Smart farming: AI predicts potato growth potential /en/news/smart-farming-ai-predicts-potato-growth-potential A new AI tool can now predict how well seed potatoes will grow into healthy potato plants. "This marks the beginning of a new era in farming, where microbiology and AI come together to enhance agriculture." 146013 Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:17:00 +0100 Nieuws 10 years of Science for Life: A lively network of researchers /en/news/10-years-of-science-for-life-a-lively-network-of-researchers For a decade now, the Science for Life community has brought together life sciences researchers in Utrecht. What started as a small initiative from the Faculty of Science has evolved into a vibrant, campus-wide community. 145016 Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:01:00 +0100 Nieuws Science for Llife conference Inaugural lecture by Laura Villanueva: Ocean’s hidden heroes /en/news/inaugural-lecture-by-laura-villanueva-oceans-hidden-heroes In her inaugural lecture, Prof. Laura Villanueva will illuminate the hidden world of marine microbes, and highlight how they influence our planet’s complex systems in remarkable and sometimes unexpected ways. 144855 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:25:00 +0100 Nieuws Laura Villanueva Study reveals how plants grow thicker, not just taller /en/news/study-reveals-how-plants-grow-thicker-not-just-taller Using a computer model that reveals how plants grow thicker over time, biologists have uncovered how cells are activated to produce wood tissue. Understanding the fundamentals behind this growth, they hope to advance forestry practices and CO₂ storage in trees. 144672 Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:00:00 +0100 Nieuws Tackling Alzheimer from within the brain /en/news/tackling-alzheimer-from-within-the-brain Making brains generate their own therapeutics could be a promising approach to slowing or even stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Researcher Niels Reinders has shown in lab experiments that this approach could work. 144018 Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:00 +0200 Nieuws Veni grant for improving cost-effectiveness analyses for gene therapies /en/news/veni-grant-for-improving-cost-effectiveness-analyses-for-gene-therapies Renske ten Ham has received a Veni grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) for her research into improving cost-effectiveness analyses for gene therapies. 142150 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:29:00 +0200 Nieuws Antibiotics in early life increase risk of asthma and allergies in adulthood /en/news/antibiotics-in-early-life-increase-risk-of-asthma-and-allergies-in-adulthood Taking antibiotics at a young age can make the body more prone to asthma and allergies later in life. This might be preventable by adding a simple supplement, concludes immunologist Olaf Perdijk from Utrecht ľϸӰ. His comprehensive study is published today in the journal Immunity. 142127 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:00:00 +0200 Nieuws Corné Pieterse elected as new EMBO member /en/news/corne-pieterse-elected-as-new-embo-member Plant biologist Corné Pieterse has been elected to join EMBO, a European research network for leading scientists in life sciences. This membership is a significant honor and opens up new opportunities for collaboration and sharing ideas. 141918 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:16:00 +0200 Nieuws Can we replace this old surgical technique? /en/news/can-we-replace-this-old-surgical-technique Patient’s own bone has long been used for transplantation, but this method is not optimal. Instead, special grains of artificial bone may be a better option. 141642 Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:25:00 +0200 Nieuws World-class collaboration receives €37.5 million for regenerative medicine using smart materials /en/news/world-class-collaboration-receives-eu375-million-for-regenerative-medicine-using-smart-materials The DRIVE-RM consortium has been awarded €37.5 million under the prestigious NWO SUMMIT program. The collaboration focuses on smart materials that assist the body in healing. 140796 Fri, 24 May 2024 08:37:00 +0200 Nieuws Antibiotic ‘Velcro’ gives bacteria a sticky situation /en/news/antibiotic-velcro-gives-bacteria-a-sticky-situation-0 A small antibiotic called plectasin uses an innovative Velcro-like mechanism to kill bacteria. Research into how this structure is formed unveils a new approach that could have broad implications for the development of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. 140747 Thu, 23 May 2024 10:13:00 +0200 Nieuws