Projects
Bottom-Up generation of atomicalLy precise syntheTIc 2D MATerials for high performance in energy and Electronic applications – A multi-site innovative training action KU Leuven
The “graphene rush” has triggered a great interest in the design and fabrication of synthetic 2D materials (S2DMs) excelling in their chemical and physical properties for future emerging technologies addressing numerous societal needs, such as faster and better performing electronics, as well as energy storage and conversion. To match the societal benefits of being at the forefront of new technological and scientific developments, the EC ...
Sulfonated mesoporous silica-carbon nanocomposites for biomass conversion KU Leuven
Over the past decades, researchers have made great efforts in the synthesis and functionalization of ordered mesoporous carbon or silica-carbon nanocomposites. These materials have the merits of mesostructures; that is, a high surface area and large pore volume. Meanwhile, the carbon moieties in the framework provide the advantages of organic component, which is hydrophobicity and the ability to be easily functionalized. These materials are ...
Thermodynamics of Interaction on Nanocellulose Surfaces KU Leuven
In this project we will aim to elucidate the boundaries of nanoparticleself-assembly, using cellulose nanocrystals with different surface functionalities as model system. To achieve this, we will develop a knowledge platform covering the thermodynamic driving forces for nanoparticle self-assembly as a function of nanoparticle surface functionalities and compare it to their kinetic limitations to move into structured materials. This will then ...
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, ...
Design and characterization of DNA-origami cytoskeletal structures for synthetic erythrocytes KU Leuven
Blood is a precious and vital resource for many clinical interventions. Yet, in low- and middle-income countries, insufficient blood donations and their unsafe control are endemic burdens that cost lives. Despite several decades of attempts, a safe and universal blood substitute has yet to be developed. In this context, the ambitious goal of the SynEry project (funded via EIC Pathfinder Open in the framework of Horizon Europe) is to reproduce ...
Bottom-up reconstruction of a Synthetic Erythrocyte KU Leuven
Blood is a precious and vital resource for many clinical interventions. Erythrocytes, its key component, are used to save thousands of
lives every day worldwide. Yet, in low- and middle-income countries, its scarcity and unsafe control are endemic burdens that cost lives.
In spite of several decades of attempts to develop a safe and universal blood substitute, this goal has yet to be achieved. Beyond the mere
transport of ...
Computational design of symmetric circulary proteins as building blocks for platonic protein frameworks KU Leuven
The host laboratory recently made 6-fold and 8-fold symmetric circular proteins using computational biomolecular modelling techniques. The 6-fold symmetric protein called Pizza has promising properties for use in nano-technology. This Pizza protein was also redesigned to coordinate metal ions, thus forming the smallest nanocrystal reported to this date. In this project, I will aim to design other symmetric proteins with a different rotational ...