NExTLi prides itself on a robust network of collaborators, each bringing a unique set of skills and expertise to our collective mission of advancing lipidomics research. Our co-applicants, pivotal in shaping the direction and success of NExTLi, include renowned researchers from various institutions:
Dr. Frédéric M. Vaz from Amsterdam UMC is the main applicant and visionary behind NExTLi. Specializing in biochemistry, bioinformatics, and metabolic diseases, Dr. Vaz’s expertise in metabolomics and lipidomics drives the core scientific agenda of NExTLi.
Prof. Riekelt H. Houtkooper, also based at Amsterdam UMC, is a co-applicant with a distinguished research focus on translational metabolism. Prof. Houtkooper’s work on understanding the metabolic underpinnings of aging and related diseases contributes to the foundational research pillars of NExTLi.
Dr. Nicole van der Wel brings to the consortium her expertise in cell biology, histology, and electron microscopy from Amsterdam UMC. Her focus on infectious diseases and advanced imaging techniques adds a crucial dimension to NExTLi’s research capabilities.
Prof. Eric Reits, another key co-applicant from Amsterdam UMC, specializes in cellular imaging and histology. His work enhances NExTLi’s understanding of cellular structures and functions, furthering our ability to analyze lipid distributions spatially.
Dr. Katherine Wolstencroft from the University of Leiden brings a bioinformatics and AI perspective to the consortium. Her expertise in data ontologies and FAIR data principles ensures NExTLi’s research outputs are accessible, interoperable, and reusable and the development of new workflows to process lipidomics data.
Prof. Antoine van Kampen of Amsterdam UMC significantly contributes to NExTLi by developing sophisticated bioinformatics pipelines tailored for spatial lipidomics. Additionally, he integrates the principles of ENCORE (ENhancing COmputational REproducibility) into our workflows. This ensures our research is not only innovative but also transparent and replicable.
But NExTLi is much more!
NExTLi’s strength and success extend beyond the contributions of the co-applicants, rooted deeply in the collective efforts of a dedicated team comprising metabolic specialists, technicians, AI specialists, and bioinformaticians. Together, they embody the core of NExTLi, bringing to life our vision of pioneering lipidomics research. Their combined expertise ensures the highest standards of research, innovation, and service, making NExTLi a beacon of excellence in the scientific community.
Synergistic integration of NExTLi with Core Facility Networks and Computational Resources
Embedded within the Core Facility Metabolomics at Amsterdam UMC, NExTLi is closely aligned with an overarching collaboration among Core Facilities (CFs) and the innovative data & compute hub. This strategic alignment enhances NExTLi’s capacity for groundbreaking lipidomics research by tapping into a wider network of expertise, shared technological resources, and advanced computational infrastructure. Being a part of this collaborative framework not only amplifies our research capabilities but also situates NExTLi within a dynamic ecosystem aimed at pushing the boundaries of medical research and innovation at Amsterdam UMC.
(Inter)national collaborations and embedding of NExTLi
NExTLi’s strategic engagement with esteemed LSRIs and research groups across in the Netherlands, including the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4i) led by Prof. Ron Heeren, and the Leiden University Medical Center’s Metabolomics group of Dr. Martin Giera, exemplifies our active role in the national and international research infrastructure. This network extends to collaborations with pioneering institutions and projects, such as the Netherlands Metabolomics Centre and the European infrastructure for translational medicine (EATRIS), enriching our research landscape. Through these alliances, NExTLi not only contributes to but also benefits from a rich tapestry of knowledge, technology, and resources, positioning us as a key contributor to the advancement of lipidomics research worldwide. This collaborative framework empowers NExTLi to push the boundaries of scientific discovery and underscores our commitment to excellence in the rapidly evolving field of lipidomics.