NKI-AVL researcher dr. Daniel Peeper has been awarded a top grant of two million euros by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF). The KWF program grant is a new type of funding that is awarded to three internationally renowned researchers.
It is the largest subsidy for scientific research in the Netherlands. Peeper has received the grant for his research on melanoma, which is performed in collaboration with prof. Wolter Mooi (VUmc).
This grant will fund research for a period of six years, allowing the researchers to conduct a coherent and multidisciplinary research program. It aims to translate fundamental knowledge into clinical applications in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy. The researchers have been selected by the Scientific Council of the Dutch Cancer Society as well as (inter)national referees.
Peeper, who has been working at the NKI-AvL as a molecular biologist since 1995, will collaborate with clinical pathologist Mooi on several melanoma-related questions. For example, by expression profiling they aim to identify genes that contribute to the development of a benign nevus (mole) into malignant melanoma. This will not only increase our understanding of this process but could improve the diagnosis in problem cases.
In addition, with the help of advanced molecular biological techniques the researchers will screen for new targets for melanoma treatment. Finally, Peeper and Mooi will try to improve the efficacy of melanoma drugs currently used in the clinic.
Also prof. Hans Clevers (Hubrecht laboratory; for research on colon stem cells) and prof. Cock Van de Velde (LUMC; for research on breast cancer in elderly women) have received this program grant.