Utrecht playing key role in future of medical and scientific research

UMC Utrecht, a university hospital linked to IASP member Utrecht Science Park, is set to play a key role in shaping future medical and scientific innovation through its involvement in five projects funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). These initiatives represent large-scale, long-term programmes designed to strengthen the Dutch scientific landscape over the coming decade. 

The projects involving UMC Utrecht are:  

• Biomotive, a project aiming to develop advanced MRI technology capable of performing scans of the body whilst in motion. This will offer an improved insight into internal forces and physiological processes and their impact on muscle function, digestion and circulation. 
• AMICE, which will serve as a Dutch national infrastructure for development and diffusion of new imaging techniques, leading the way for future innovation and allowing scientists to better use information available from ongoing research. 
• EBRAINS-Neurotech, a new infrastructure which will allow users to develop and test new technologies relating to development in neurotechnology. This will allow for an improved understanding of brain operations and neurological disorders. 
• EMPower, a project to create a national level infrastructure supporting the development of research into life at a molecular level. This project will provide a facility with advanced support for electron microscopy, promoting new medical and technological breakthroughs. 
• NCC, standing for the Netherlands Cohort Consortium, that brings together health data from nearly 500000 Dutch citizens. This supports research into causes of chronic diseases, and how they can be prevented, hopefully leading to healthier and longer lives. 

These projects are setting a path for the next 10 years of Dutch medical research and development and hope to have an impact on healthcare at both a national, and international level.