Projects
Curing and nanostructure development in epoxy/block copolymer blends KU Leuven
Throughout the last decades, material research has increasingly been exploring the potential of ordered nanostructures to enhance mechanical, electrical, optical or other properties. Nanostructuring most elegantly happens through processes of self-assembly, being the spontaneous association of molecules, through non covalent bonds.
When amphiphilic molecules, such as surfactants or block copolymers are introduced in a liquid matrix with ...
Formulation of hydrophobic anticancer drugs into intelligent polymer nanoparticles Ghent University
solubility and the delivery of taxane anti-cancer drugs. PART I of the thesis comprises a general introduction to scope the need for advanced chemotherapy. Chapter 1 reports on the current treatment modalities for cancer applied in clinic. In particular, anti-cancer drug treatment is described along with the issues of conventional chemotherapy, ...
Nanocellulose-based functional cellular matrices KU Leuven
Formulation of vaccine antigens in smart dual-responsive ultrasmall nanoparticles Ghent University
Current vaccination strategies fail to induce protective immunity against global killers
such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and for cancer immunotherapy. A promising strategy is to
formulate antigens in nano/microparticles, rather than in soluble form. The reason for this is that particles are recognized by immune cells in a different way than soluble antigens and are capable of inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cells that can ...
Formulation of ultrasmall vaccine nanoparticles Ghent University
In this projact we aim to design ultra small vaccine nanoparticles based on amphiphilic block copolymers that self-assemble in aqueos medium to sub 100 nm micelles. These micelles will be decorated with (1) antigens, (2) a targeting ligand to reach specific DC subsets that are specialized in antigen presenting to CD 8 T cells and (3) immune-stimulatory ligands to further boost the immune response.
Development of a generic protocol for synthesis of conjugated polymer/nanoparticle hybrids. KU Leuven
This dissertation focusses on the synthesis of more advanced polymer structures by the use of air-stable Ni-initiators and the strong control over the Kumada catalyst transfer polycondensation (KCTP). About a decade ago a controlled chain-growth polymerization of poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT) was published, which opened possibilities for the formation of new polymeric structures. Different research groups have focused on end-functionalization ...
Microscopy-computer connection and detection system Ghent University
With continuing interest in nano-sciences, electron microscopy is routinely used in many laboratories. In our own research and that of our collaborators, there is a constant need for this equipment. While a new device is expensive, we have found a solution by repairing an older device. Only one detail is still missing, digital readout - the subject of current proposal.