Menno Prins

With his research group, Menno Prins aims at the development of technologies to detect proteins and study protein function with single-molecule resolution in complex macromolecular environments such as blood plasma. This entails the investigation of biophysical manipulation and detection methods with emphasis on the use of small particles. These particles offer the possibility to actively transport biological materials and to detect the presence and properties of specific targets. 

The capability to probe individual molecules enables the researchers to reveal novel characteristics of the molecules, e.g. distributions of molecular properties (such as affinity or kinetic parameters, variations in space and/or in time). Moreover, it allows the study of properties that are difficult or even impossible to measure on ensembles of molecules, e.g. molecular torsion constants. The research of the MBx group leads to novel biosensing technologies and to a better understanding of molecular functions within complex and crowded environments.

Menno Prins is the founder and organizer of SensUs, the annual international student competition in the field of bioensors for health (www.sensus.org). SensUs serves as a platform to accelerate education and innovation in the field of biosensing, with participation of international academic research groups, companies, and healthcare organizations.

The research activities are part of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) and the Strategic Area Health (SA Health).

Molecular biosensors for continuous patient monitoring will help to make healthcare truly personal