Projects
Novel Insights Into Intermediate Filament Assembly Through Chemical Cross-Linking KU Leuven
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are essential constituents of the metazoan cytoskeleton. There are over 70 distinct IF proteins in humans linked to specific tissues and functions. IF proteins are capable of self-assembly into typical 10-12 nm wide filaments. The primary structure of all IF proteins includes the signature central ‘rod’ domain of ~300 residues which forms a dimeric α-helical coiled-coil (CC) composed of three segments (coil1A, ...
Furan and triazolinedion based strategies for site-specific labeling, conjugation and cross-linking of native and recombinant proteins. Ghent University
The ability to chemically modify complex proteins in a highly selective way is one of the major challenges in chemical biology. Although enzyme-mediated or recombinant techniques can be very powerful and direct ways to alter and probe protein structure and function, such methods are often limited to highly specific applications. True chemical (synthetic) methods offer the perspective of turning any protein structure into a versatile, ...
Target identification for orphan peptides through furan-oxidation based cross-linking for application in cancer research Ghent University
Furan-modified peptides will be synthesized for cross-linking to known and unknown target receptors.
Structure-function relation of pectin: role of in situ pectin cross-linking in plant-based tissues. KU Leuven
Furan crosslinking for improved sensitivity in diagnostic assays Ghent University
In the current project we will use UGent technology (UGent IP) to provide an industrial proof-of-concept for its use in the development of an ELISA assay with substantially increased sensitivity. During the project there will be close collaboration with a Flemish Biotech company that is active in the IVD market. Company X will be granted a license option in their domain, while through this interdisciplinary approach Ugent will be given the ...
Furan and porphyrin containing crosslinking ligands for covalent stabilisation of G quadruplexes as cell-permeable anti-cancer aptamers Ghent University
Using a variety established DNA crosslinking nucleobase-analogues a method will be developed for the stapling of the 5’ and 3’ ends of G-quadruplex forming aptamer sequences. This staple will in theory convey several benefits such as conformational locking and improved formation kinetics. Crosslinked aptamers will then be assessed for improvements in these properties compared to wild type oligonucleotides.
Crosslinking of sequence-defined macromolecules: influence of molecular parameters on the macroscopic characteristics of model networks. Ghent University
As a result of the inherent statistical nature of the polymerisation process, a strict control over the molecular composition and final properties of polymer networks could not be reached until now. This is where the field of ‘sequence-defined polymers’, a discipline targeting the synthesis and application of macromolecules with a discrete molecular mass and perfectly controlled microstructure, can make a difference. After developing a flow ...
Crosslinking Aptamers for Covalent Protein Targeting Ghent University
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid ligands that bind targets with high affinity and specificity, owing to their characteristic three-dimensional structures. Because of these features, aptamers have been widely studied in different applications, including targeted therapy, cell staining and biosensors. Nevertheless, the translation into real-world clinical and analytical practice is still very limited, underlining the need for further ...
Competition between (flow-induced) crystallization and Diels-Alder crosslinking KU Leuven
The study of the competition between flow-induced crystallization and Diels-Alder crosslinking, where both phenomena have distinctively different time scales. DA crosslinking, which is typically a very fast process, is studied by the chemical modification of existing polymers (poly-e-caprolactone PCL) by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetrical Analysis (TGA). The speed of the crystallization phenomena can be ...