Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry / Biomedical Engineering

Bio-Organic Chemistry

We develop compartmentalization strategies to construct micro- and nano-capsules for application in nanomedicine and artificial cell research.

Creating minuscule compartments with life-like features

In our research we combine techniques from protein engineering, polymer chemistry and bioconjugation approaches to create particles with bioactive properties. In the field of nanomedicine, we design smart delivery vehicles that for example cross the blood brain barrier or are used in cancer therapy. We also use nanoparticles as scaffolds for vaccine development. In the field of artificial cell research, we aim to create responsive smart compartments that mimic the behavior of living cells. For instance, we develop nanoreactors that can be incorporated as artificial organelles in living cells, to complement or affect cellular processes.

Nanomedicine

To obtain the most optimal biological response in vivo, nanoparticles that are used for transport of drugs, or as scaffolds for antigen display, need to be tailor made for their specific application. With advanced synthetic techniques and assembly methods, we can construct particles with control over size, shape, surface charge and functionality. These particles are employed, in collaboration with our (international) partners, in treating brain related (metabolic) diseases, ophthalmology, cancer research and bacterial vaccine development.

Meet some of our Researchers

Postdoc

Bingbing Sun

Doctoral Candidate

Yudong Li

Postdoc

Hanglong Wu

Postdoc

Daan Vervoort

Doctoral Candidate

Thijs van Veldhuisen

University Researcher

Annelies Wauters

Doctoral Candidate

Yingtong Luo

Postdoc

Eduardo Guisasola

Assistant Professor

Loai Abdelmohsen

Full Professor

Jan van Hest

Postdoc

Huynh Tien Duc Le

Doctoral Candidate

Işil Yeşil Gür

Former Doctoral Candidate

Roy Oerlemans

Postdoc

Suzanne Timmermans

Doctoral Candidate

Jianhong Wang

Doctoral Candidate

Arjan Hazegh Nikroo

Doctoral Candidate

Alexander Fusi

Postdoc

Jingxin Shao

Doctoral Candidate

Yiğitcan Sümbelli

Artificial cells and Organelles

The eukaryotic cell is a multicompartment structure, in which the different compartments, the organelles, enable the cell to execute in a highly controlled way delicate processes without interference with the direct environment. We construct artificial nanoreactors that can be incorporated as artificial organelles in living cells to complement or affect cellular processes.  The cell as a whole also provides a boundary with the outside world, via which the cell interacts with and responds to external stimuli. We aim to create responsive smart compartments that mimic the behavior of living cells, with respect to communicative features, motility, growth and division.

Recent Publications

Our most recent peer reviewed publications

Spinoza prize for Jan van Hest

Jan van Hest combines biology and chemistry in such a way that the boundaries between the two disciplines become really blurred. He was awarded the Spinoza Prize 2020, the most important award in Dutch science. We put Jan van Hest in the spotlight by publishing a portrait, in both text and video, which appeared earlier on the website of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Secretary

Marleen Schaminée - Laus

m.h.e.schaminee@tue.nl

+31 40 247 3737

Contact