Leiden University and LUMC join Netherlands Centre for One Health
Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center have joined the Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH), further strengthening the academic network in which such problems as antimicrobial resistance are studied.
New medicines needed
Infectious diseases have an increasingly major impact on the health of humans and animals, particularly in densely populated countries like the Netherlands. In 2050, some ten million people are predicted to die worldwide from bacterial infections alone, while viral infections such as Zika are also spreading at an alarming rate. This coincides with a rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance and a lack of new drug candidates for the treatment of bacterial infections that are in the industrial pipeline.
Protection against zoonotic infections
‘LUMC will participate with various clinical disciplines and scientific research groups that are active within the profile area of "Infection, Immunity and Tolerance". This participation will contribute to more insights and a better recognition of emerging zoonotic infections and antimicrobial resistance. It will also support new developments of immunotherapy and vaccinations to treat and protect against emerging zoonotic infections,' says Professor Pancras Hogendoorn, dean of LUMC.
Collaboration with government and industry
‘The problems relating to antibiotics and resistance are enormous,’ says Professor Geert de Snoo, dean of the Faculty of Science of Leiden University. ‘At Leiden University we have strong expertise in the area of drug development with antibiotics. By integrating the expertise of the different partners in the NCOH we will increase our chances of making major contributions to combatting the threat of infectious diseases to human health, and will become a more attractive partner for government and industry. Similar developments can be seen in, for example, the US, Canada and the UK, which increases competitiveness.’
‘Leiden partners bring added value’
The Netherlands Centre of One Health was originally set up by Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wageningen University & Research, Erasmus MC and the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam. ‘I am very pleased that Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center are both joining NCOH as a partner. Together, the leading academic research institutes provide significant added value in realising the ambitions of the NCOH. With Leiden University and LUMC now joining NCOH, we will work together to tackle One Health issues in public health, animal health, and the environment in a more integrated and interdisciplinary approach,’ Martin Scholten, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NCOH, commented.
The Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH) bundles leading academic research institutes in the Netherlands in an open innovation network focused on One Health: public, veterinary, wildlife, and ecosystems health. It aims for an integrated approach to facing the global risk of infectious diseases and developing durable solutions for the grand challenges of societal health. This virtual, science-driven institution focuses its research and knowledge growth on antibiotic resistance, emerging infectious diseases, smart farming, and healthy ecosystems.
The NCOH stimulates collaboration between academic and research institutes, governments, NGOs, RIVM, and industrial partners. The NCOH partners are
- Utrecht University
- University Medical Center Utrecht
- Wageningen University and Research
- Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam
- Academic Medical Center Amsterdam
- Leiden University
- Leiden University Medical Center