Programmes

The main goal of AIMMS is to provide a complementary platform to perform Molecules and Medicines research at an integrated Systems level. This is essential for the acquisition of an integrative fundamental understanding at the molecular level of the biological processes relevant to health and disease. It is also crucial for the discovery and development of drugs (i.e. low molecular weight compounds) and therapeutics (e.g. proteins, antibodies and other biologics), as well as the development of translational biomarkers and molecular diagnostics.

This approach can only be facilitated by a vertical integration of key disciplines within AIMMS. Within the conventional horizontal and discipline-oriented organisation at the VU University Amsterdam Campus, which will remain crucial in today’s research landscape in the Netherlands and beyond, this structure is a novelty.

The projected research activities of AIMMS can be grouped around three interrelated main research programmes. The research programmes comprise:

• Molecular mechanisms of biological processes
  This theme comprises research aiming at in-depth understanding of the molecules and biological processes relevant to life (in health and disease). Moreover, it includes more specific disease target identification and validation by combined molecular and network-based research.
• Design and characterisation of molecules and medicines 
  Research towards the discovery, design, synthesis, analysis and characterisation of new drug and therapeutic candidates, typically small organic molecules, peptides, proteins, antibodies and other biologics. This includes the disposition, safety and pharmacological effects of the drug and therapeutic candidates.
• Biomarkers and diagnostics
  Discovery of appropriate translational biomarkers and corresponding in vitro and in vivo molecular diagnostic tools to facilitate the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of selected diseases and dedicated (new) drug and therapeutic candidates.
  

The Figure represents an overview of the participating research groups and their respective contributions towards the three selected AIMMS programmes.