Credit: Axel Rosendahl Huber, Copyright: Hubrecht Institute. 29 July 2026 Veni for Axel Rosendahl Huber Back to news Axel Rosendahl Huber, postdoc in the Clevers group, receives a prestigious Veni grant from the NWO Talent Programme. NWO has awarded the Veni grant of up to 320,000 euros to 205 promising researchers. This allows them to further develop their own research ideas over the next three years. With this personal grant, Axel will study whether toxins from gut bacteria can cause DNA-mutations in colon cells. DNA breaks in 2D intestinal organoids caused by genotoxin-producing E. coli (colibactin). The green dots indicate DNA breaks. Credit: Axel Rosendahl Huber, Copyright: Hubrecht Institute. Various microbes produce DNA-binding toxins (naturally occurring toxic substances) that may cause harmful mutations in DNA. In Axel Rosendahl Huber’s research, organoids, which are simple miniature versions of the intestine grown from intestinal cells, are exposed to these toxins to determine whether they can cause permanent DNA mutations. If they do, the researchers will investigate how these mutations can be identified by their distinctive “fingerprint” in the DNA. These fingerprints will then be used to determine whether mutations caused by microbial toxins are present in the DNA of healthy intestinal cells and colorectal cancer cells. If so, this would suggest that such microbial toxins may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. This research will provide insight into risk factors for colorectal cancer and may help identify new opportunities for prevention. About the Veni Veni is together with Vidi and Vici part of the NWO Talent Programme. The Veni is a personal scientific grant aimed at researchers who have recently obtained their PhD. The grant instrument allows recipients to conduct research of their own choosing. The projects that receive funding therefore cover a wide range of topics. Axel Rosendahl Huber is a postdoc in the Clevers group.
