Leiden Science

Eating less meat? Good for the planet, a risk for farmers – unless we act wisely now If Europeans eat less meat and dairy, this will have major consequences for farmers. New research shows that many barns and machines could lose their value. With the right policies, these losses can b...

If Europeans eat less meat and dairy, this will have major consequences for farmers. New research shows that many barns and machines could lose their value. With the right policies, these losses can be limited. This is shown by research from Leiden, Oxford and Vienna.

NWO and the National Science Foundation China award 1.1M euro to urban resilience research Arnold Tukker and Mingming Hu (CML) will look for urban resilience solutions in the Dutch-Chinese ReSURE2 project that received 1.1M euro.

From flooding to heat stress or biodiversity loss: cities everywhere face challenges due to climate change. Arnold Tukker and Mingming Hu (CML) will look for solutions in the Dutch-Chinese ReSURE2 project that received 1.1M euro.

Lion conservation in Kenya: why one approach does not fit all Lions in Kenya respond very differently to human land use, climate and conservation practices. That is the conclusion of thesis from Leiden biologist Monica Chege. A uniform approach is therefore insu...

Lions in Kenya respond very differently to human land use, climate and conservation practices. concludes Leiden biologist Monica Chege. ‘Effective conservation only works when management is tailored to local conditions and developed with and around local communities.’

How a coach helps first-generation students find their strength Since 1 October, Sabina Chiță has been working as a coach for first-generation students in Physics. But who are first-generation students, and why might they need a coach? Six questions to Sabina Chiț...

Since 1 October, Sabina Chiță has been working as a coach for first-generation students in Physics. But who are first-generation students, and why might they need a coach? Six questions to Sabina Chiță.

The link between students and the stars: Sanne works at the Old Observatory From children’s birthday parties to international ambassadors, the Old Observatory attracts a wide range of visitors. Student coordinator Sanne van Beek connects visitors and students, ensuring everyo...

From children’s birthday parties to international ambassadors, the Old Observatory attracts a wide range of visitors. Student coordinator Sanne van Beek connects visitors and students, ensuring everyone — from five to sixty-five — learns something about the stars.

Human language inspired AI – and now we can use that AI to learn about language Yuchen Lian defended her thesis on AI and language evolution at Leiden University.

PhD candidate Yuchen Lian (LIACS) wants to understand why human languages look the way they do – and find inspiration to improve AI along the way. She defended her thesis on 12 December.

Experience the future of technology: visit the Quantum Escape Room Science journalist Anna Gimbrère and physicist Julia Cramer will open the Quantum Escape Room in Eindhoven on Wednesday, 17th of December. Researchers from Leiden worked closely with the designers to ...

Science journalist Anna Gimbrère and physicist Julia Cramer will open the Quantum Escape Room in Eindhoven on Wednesday, 17th of December. Researchers from Leiden worked closely with the designers to make sure the escape room is not only exciting, but also truly quantum.

Triturus newts reveal a genetic balancing act An evolutionary 'trap' that has haunted crested and marbled newts for 25 million years: Leiden researchers have uncovered a mysterious DNA error that should not be able to arise – yet persists all the...

An evolutionary 'trap' that has haunted crested and marbled newts for 25 million years: Leiden researchers have uncovered a mysterious DNA error that should not be able to arise – yet persists all the same. How is that possible? PhD candidate James France found new clues.

How science informs policy: ‘As a researcher, my work only becomes truly relevant once it is used in society’ Green cities and a well-protected food system: Roy Remme and Oliver Taherzadeh study ways to achieve these. But how can their scientific findings lead to societal change? They share their experiences ...

Green cities and a well-protected food system: Roy Remme and Oliver Taherzadeh study ways to achieve these. But how can their scientific findings lead to societal change? They share their experiences with science-policy initiatives.

Extraterrestrial life, AI and more: these are the most-read Leiden Science articles of 2025 Speculation about alien life, a new nitrogen map, AI as a thesis supervisor, groundbreaking telescopes and multi-million-euro investments to combat antimicrobial resistance – the diversity of these to...

Speculation about alien life, a new nitrogen map, AI as a thesis supervisor, groundbreaking telescopes and multi-million-euro investments to combat antimicrobial resistance – the diversity of these topics shows that our readers are just as broadly interested as our researchers.

Over €900,000 awarded for new treatment against atherosclerosis How can we slow down atherosclerosis? Researcher Amanda Foks believes it may be possible by switching off ageing immune cells. This could lead to an entirely new treatment for heart attacks and stroke...

How can we slow down atherosclerosis? Researcher Amanda Foks believes it may be possible by switching off ageing immune cells. This could lead to an entirely new treatment for heart attacks and strokes. She has been awarded the Established Investigator Dekker Grant from the Dutch Heart Foundation.

Celebrating 20 years of Sino-Dutch environmental research This week we welcomed a high-level delegation from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to Leiden’s Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML).

Smarter construction, cleaner energy and greener cities: Last week, we welcomed a high-level delegation at CML. A visit that marks 20 years of Sino-Dutch collaboration on themes that matter.

A new window into the brain: visualising neural connections Leiden researchers can now visualise the connections between brain cells. They do so using a microscopy technique in which Leiden physicists excel. This breakthrough could significantly advance the hu...

Leiden researchers can now visualise the connections between brain cells. They do so using a microscopy technique in which Leiden physicists excel. This breakthrough could significantly advance the human quest to understand brain functions.

NWO and Groeifonds funding for research into smart light-responsive chips Physicists at Leiden University are developing smart chips that can be programmed with light. These chips are more energy-efficient than traditional chips because they do not require a constant power ...

Physicists at Leiden University are developing smart chips that can be programmed with light. These chips are more energy-efficient than traditional chips because they do not require a constant power supply. For this research, they will receive funding in the coming years.

New endowed chair brings astronomy and AI together. ‘AI can help improve our understanding of the Universe’ ASTRON en de Universiteit Leiden beginnen samen een nieuwe leerstoel over sterrenkunde en AI. Bijzonder hoogleraar Joeri van Leeuwen gaat deze positie vullen.

AI helps us to understand our Universe better, and that role is set to grow. Therefore, ASTRON and Leiden University are establishing a new research field together. Professor by special appointment Joeri van Leeuwen will develop astrophysics-informed AI, and then use it to uncover new astronomy.

Bacteria full of potential: searching for new antibiotics through genetic on–off switches Collaborating and learning from other fields – that is what bioinformatician Hannah Augustijn enjoys most about doing research. During her PhD at Leiden University, she developed new ways to search wi...

Collaborating and learning from other fields – that is what bioinformatician Hannah Augustijn enjoys most about doing research. During her PhD at Leiden University, she developed new ways to search within bacteria for the antibiotics of the future.

Four Leiden contributions to NWO Perspectief projects Four consortia within the Perspectief programme that include Leiden researchers have received funding to start their research projects. These projects focus on (further) developing technological innov...

Four consortia within the Perspectief programme that include Leiden researchers have received funding to start their research projects. These projects focus on (further) developing technological innovations, with societal and economic impact at their core.

Ten Leiden students receive prize for outstanding achievement Ten Leiden students have received a prize from the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW). They were nominated by their degree programme. Who are these students?

Ten Leiden students have received a prize from the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW). They were nominated by their degree programme.

Sofie Hajer wins prize for research on balancing wind energy and biodiversity How do you combine the growth of wind energy with the protection of vulnerable seabirds? With her master’s thesis on this delicate balance, Sofie Hajer won the 2025 Unilever Research Prize. Her work p...

How do you combine the growth of wind energy with the protection of vulnerable seabirds? With her master’s thesis on this delicate balance, Sofie Hajer won the 2025 Unilever Research Prize. Her work provides new insights into how ecology and policy can strengthen each other.

🔬 Optical or electron microscopy… why not both?
Join the Tuesday Talk with Sense Jan van der Molen this Tuesday 9 December. More information and registration: www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/events/20...

NWO grant for insecticides without side effects for humans and wildlife Maurijn van der Zee searches for insecticides that protect crops without harming wildlife or leaving residues in our food. His GREENSHIELD project received funding from the NWO Open Technology Program...

Maurijn van der Zee searches for insecticides that protect crops without harming wildlife or leaving residues in our food. His GREENSHIELD project received funding from the NWO Open Technology Programme.

Carbon footprint of global steel production remains high: ‘Capturing CO₂ won’t solve it’ Steel production is likely to take up a large portion of our future carbon budget. Capturing CO₂ from coal-based production won’t solve the problem. Technologies that rely on renewables are more effec...

Steel production is likely to take up a large portion of our future carbon budget. Capturing CO₂ from coal-based production won’t solve the problem. Technologies that rely on renewables are more effective, but not enough to get to net zero.

Celebrating 20 years of Sino-Dutch environmental research This week we welcomed a high-level delegation from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to Leiden’s Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML).

Smarter construction, cleaner energy and greener cities: This week, we welcomed a high-level delegation at CML. A visit that marks 20 years of Sino-Dutch collaboration on themes that matter.

‘To truly understand the brain, we must understand the chemistry’ How do fats and enzymes in the brain contribute to multiple sclerosis? In his PhD research, Daan van der Vliet combined chemistry and neuroscience to gain new insights into how brain disorders develop...

How do fats and enzymes in the brain contribute to multiple sclerosis? In his PhD research, Daan van der Vliet combined chemistry and neuroscience to gain new insights into how brain disorders develop.

Two new programme directors to start in the new year In early 2026, two new programme directors will begin their roles at FWN. Joost Broekens will take charge of the bachelor’s programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), while Sander v...

In early 2026, two new programme directors will begin their roles at FWN. Joost Broekens will take charge of the bachelor’s programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), while Sander van Kasteren will become programme director of the MSc in Life Science and Technology (LST).

Arrival of cryostat marks milestone on the road to the world’s largest telescope After years of development, the moment has finally arrived: a massive cryostat, a highly advanced freezer that keeps the sensitive components extremely cold, has arrived in Leiden from Zurich. The dev...

A massive cryostat, a highly advanced freezer that keeps the sensitive components extremely cold, has arrived in Leiden from Zurich. The device is the largest component of METIS, one of the first instruments for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction in Chile.

Consensus, bias and polarisation: How mathematicians study opinions How do opinions form and change in large groups of people? That's not just a sociological question, it's a mathematical one. PhD candidate Federico Capannoli studied opinion dynamics. He defended his ...

How do opinions form and change in large groups of people? That's not just a sociological question, it's a mathematical one. PhD candidate Federico Capannoli studied opinion dynamics. He defended his thesis on November 19.

Three Leiden researchers receive NWO Open Competition grant for innovative science Sustainable biotechnology, new insights into genome evolution and combining forces in mathematics. The NWO has awarded grants to these three innovative Leiden research projects in the ENW-M Open Compe...

Sustainable biotechnology, new insights into genome evolution and combining forces in mathematics. The NWO has awarded grants to these three innovative Leiden research projects in the ENW-M Open Competition.

Higher CO2 levels are making our food more calorific and less nutritious Food crops More CO2 in the atmosphere is making food crops more calorific, less nutritious and potentially more toxic.

More CO2 in the atmosphere is making food crops more calorific, less nutritious and potentially more toxic. If we do not intervene, this could cause malnutrition, even in population groups that currently have enough to eat. These are the findings of Leiden research.

‘Training the pharmacists of tomorrow is something we do together’ Martijn Manson became programme director for the Master’s in Pharmacy this month. He is a pharmacist as well as a lecturer and researcher at the LACDR (Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research). ‘LUMC...

Martijn Manson became programme director for the Master’s in Pharmacy this month. He is a pharmacist as well as a lecturer and researcher at the LACDR (Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research). ‘LUMC and LACDR share the responsibility for training the pharmacists of the future.’