Stefan Nierkens, a medical immunologist at UMC Utrecht and research group leader at the Princess Máxima Center, has received a prestigious Vici grant. With this funding, Stefan and his team will conduct groundbreaking research to enhance immune system recovery after stem cell transplantation in children with hard-to-treat blood cancer, immune disorders, or metabolic diseases.
Stem cell transplantation is the last resort for children with hard-to-treat blood cancer, or immune or metabolic disorders. Unfortunately, this procedure is only successful in half of the children. Earlier studies have shown that a faster immune recovery improves survival rates. Stefan Nierkens’ group investigates ways to accelerate immune system recovery after stem cell transplantation. They particularly focus on the role of the thymus, the organ where immune cells are produced. The aim is to translate the insights into new treatments, thereby improving the recovery outcomes for children undergoing this procedure.
Stefan Nierkens shares the power of collaboration: ‘This Vici grant is a wonderful acknowledgment, and the result of strong collaboration between my research groups at the Máxima Center and UMC Utrecht. Together, we can now take important steps toward better treatments for children after stem cell transplantation.’
The Vici grant is part of the NWO Talent Programme, alongside the Veni and Vidi grants. The goal of this programme: to create creative space for adventurous, talented, and groundbreaking researchers. In total, 43 top researchers in the Netherlands have received a Vici grant, each worth up to 1.5 million euros. The grant enables researchers to expand their research group and further develop their research line over the next five years.
