Projects

In this project we aim to develop new pathways for the biocatalytic synthesis of rare sugars and derivatives. To that end, various enzymes will be optimized by protein engineering and then combined in a one-pot reaction vessel. The process starts from sucrose as abundant and renewable resource and allows obtaining the target products with high yields and minimal costs.

Carbohydrate epimerases (CEP) are very interesting enzymes, inverting the configuration of a sugarU+2019s hydroxyl group through a single reaction without prior activation. Our recent CEP classification system revealed a remarkably broad diversity of substrates and products is handled by CEP1 family members. In this project, we aim to identify the specificity determinants of these enzymes by means of mutational analysis.

Background. Microbial Synthetic Biology (MSB) is an emergent interdisciplinary area combining disciplines such as microbiology,

biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, molecular engineering, systems biology, protein engineering, membrane

science, biophysics and computer engineering. MSB applies these disciplines to engineer biological systems and microorganisms in

view of improving industrial, environmental, ...

Tissue engineering (TE) is still facing challenges with respect to the quality of its products. Advancing engineering aspects lacking in the field will be crucial in order to tackle these challenges. Bioreactor technology is one of these enabling technologies that helps to obtain high TE product quality as it allows for controlled in vitro formation of 3D neo-tissues (cells + extracellular matrix). As these neotissue are 3D dynamic structures ...

The equatorial countries of sub-saharan Africa have the highest worldwide mortality rates, primarily caused by infectious disease. Those who are immunosuppressed, including children, the elderly and the sick, are particularly at risk. Improving sanitation, and boosting the immune system with vaccination or improved diet, have been key for continuing to combat this issue.

Short-chain low-digestible carbohydrates (LDCs), act as human ...

Current clinical treatments for large long bone and osteochondral defects are limited by either tissue availability or incapacity to regenerate tissues to their original functionality. Regenerative medicine, and more specifically tissue engineering (TE), shows great potential to meet this clinical need by creating in vitro implants able to heal large bone and osteochondral defects. The current PhD project aimed to develop a ...

The specialization of cartilage cells, or chondrogenic differentiation, is an intricate and meticulously regulated process that plays a vital role in both bone formation and cartilage regeneration. This PhD work centers on the development of computational models to study the molecular regulation of this process. First, we investigate how individual genes and their defects contribute to the overall change in functionality of the growth plate, ...

In order to be able to fulfill the requirements concerning renewable energy, a large amount of energy should be gained from offshore windfarms. Mainly because of energetic reasons, these parks must be placed further and further offshore. Building these parks, a lot of problems occur. This project proposal comprehends on the one hand a desk study to investigate these problems and on the other hand an experimental study towards one specific ...

Fractures of the long bones are the most common large organ trauma worldwide. In about 5% of all cases the broken bone fails to heal, resulting in a so-called non-union defect. These can be caused by a lack of potent skeletal progenitor cells at the defect site. Currently, there is no reliable treatment strategy available for these patients. Therefore, tissue engineering (TE) represents a promising approach. However, current expansion ...

Bioethanol is considered as a valuable, green fuel-alternative because greenhouse gas emission can be significantly reduced. Moreover, the polymer industry shows great interest in this alcohol as a precursor molecule for the production of a wide variety of plastics, including Plexiglas (PMMA), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Because of its high demand in the industrial and transport sector, it ...