PRESS RELEASE 21.01.2009

On Wednesday 19 November 2008, Professor Willem de Vos received the Spinoza prize for his outstanding work as a researcher in the field of Biology and Molecular Science. The Prize was handed over by the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture & Science HE mr Ronald Plasterk.

The NWO/Spinoza Prize, also viewed as the 'Dutch Nobel Prize', is annually awarded to four Dutch researchers who rank among the world's top scientists. The prize is the highest Dutch award in science. It consists of an amount of EUR 1.5 million to be spent on new research and a statue. Professor Willem the Vos works both in the Netherlands but also at the University of Helsinki at the Department of Basic Veterinary Science. He started his work in  Finland on a Finland Distinguished Professor grant which was awarded by Tekes and the Academy of Finland. His research focuses on molecular biology of intestinal microbiota, on host-microbe interactions, on development of mucosal vaccine vectors and probiotics for prevention of intestinal infections as well as on developing high-throughput molecular methods for microbial diagnostics. 

Laureate Professor Willem the Vos is honoured by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Nicolaas Beets, on Thursday 29 January when he will give the lecture ‘Microbes Inside’ at the Ambassador’s residence in Helsinki.