NeCEN: the start
Leaders of the main TEM research groups in the Netherlands observed an urgent need for progress in cryo-TEM. They were aware that joining forces was the best way to make this happen. They submitted a proposal for a centre with highly advanced electron microscopes to the Committee for Large Infrastructures (Committee Van Velzen) in 2008. The Committee included NeCEN in the National Roadmap for large infrastructures.
Initiators
The initiators of NeCEN are Prof. P.J. Peters, chair (The Netherlands Cancer Institute – Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam), Prof. H.W. Zandbergen (Delft University of Technology), Prof. G. de With (Eindhoven University of Technology), Prof. A.J. Koster (Leiden University Medical Center), Prof. E.J. Boekema (University of Groningen) and Prof. A.J. Verkleij (Utrecht University).
Finding the right location
Three different consortia made bid books to host NeCEN: AMOLF-NKI, Utrecht University-Hubrecht Lab and Medical Delta. An international committee selected Medical Delta with as site the Cell observatory of Universiteit Leiden as the best location. The other consortia (AMOLF-NKI and Utrecht University-Hubrecht Lab ) are now fully supporting NeCEN in Leiden.
Raising funds
Once the location had been chosen, Universiteit Leiden took the lead in securing finances. NeCEN secured two rounds of finance in 2010. The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) granted 6.2 million euro in June. In October, a total of 6 million euro was donated by various financers including the European Regional Development Fund (EFRO).
Establishing NeCEN
At present, everything necessary is being arranged to ensure a smooth start up of the centre. The official opening will take place on October 27th. The microscopes will not be fully tested and optimized for experiments by then. Therefore the centre is not expected to offer its equipment and services before 2012.
