Atoms and molecules can act like tiny laboratories for sensitive experiments that probe the fundamental structure of matter and search for new laws of physics. Scientists will develop a novel method of unsurpassed accuracy and use high performance computing to calculate parameters needed to support and interpret these challenging experiments.

Antimicrobial drug-resistant (AMR) pathogens are one of the most critical concerns in public health. As part of the implementation of the Global Action Plan on AMR, the WHO drew up a list of priority antibiotic-resistant bacteria to guide research into the discovery and development of new antibiotics. This list is headed by a group of bacteria characterized by their ability to escape the biocidal action of antibiotics. These bacteria are acronymically denoted as the ESKAPE pathogens and together representing new paradigms in pathogenesis, transmission and resistance. Recently the WHO has reviewed the available information on the current clinical development of antibacterial agents to assess to which extent the drug candidates act against these priority pathogens, concluding that more investment is needed in basic science, drug discovery and clinical development. Most of the agents in the pipeline are modifications of existing antibiotic which constitute a short term solution, so more innovative products that show no cross- or co-resistance to existing antibiotic classes and are active against a new target are urgently required. The identification and characterization of new antimicrobials are urgently needed. The present project proposes the use of resveratrol derivatives as a scaffold for new antimicrobial development.

"Protein display" is een van de krachtigste technieken om eiwitten uit te rusten met nieuwe nuttige functies, omdat hiermee miljoenen varianten kunnen worden getest. De onderzoeker beschrijft hier de eerste displaymethode die eiwitten met een moleculaire “streepjescodes” labelt, waarmee kenmerken van de beste computer-ontworpen eiwitten razendsnel geïdentificeerd kunnen worden. “Protein display” is among the most powerful engineering strategies researchers have devised to equip proteins with useful functions, because it allows assessing millions of variants. The researcher here describes the first display method that labels proteins with a molecular “barcode” to rapidly identify characteristics of computer-designed proteins.

Despite many counter measures, the number of collisions between aircrafts and birds (bird-strikes) has increased in the past decades. Annually the strikes cost civil aviation (disregarding military aviation) worldwide over 1 billion Euros. Particularly the multiple collisions during strikes with bird flocks lead to engine failure. Unfortunately, flocks are difficult to control. As a solution, the proposed project aims to develop a method of using robot-falcons, so-called RoboFalcons, to chase away flocks of birds. Exploiting the synergy between RoboFalcon experiments, computer-modeling and observational data, the project will deliver a prototype of an easily steerable RoboFalcon and a protocol for how to drive away flocks of birds.

How can climate policy lead to behavioural change? ChangeAble develops new knowledge aimed at accelerating behavioural change, provides insight into which individual, social and contextual factors stimulate sustainable behaviour, and how and when policy can effectively leverage them. ChangeAble also provides insight into how tipping points can be reached by improved policy timing for more widespread and faster sustainable behavioural change. ChangeAble identifies, develops and tests interventions to promote changes in social conventions in five policy areas. In this way, ChangeAble contributes to more effective, efficient, acceptable and just climate policy by making better use of behavioural knowledge in policy.