Self-assembly of biomolecules
We study biomolecular self-assembly found in living systems, both in health and in disease, as well as in other soft materials: Prominent examples include emulsions and lipid vesicles, phase separation (coacervates) and condensation of proteins, protein misfolding and aggregation into amyloids in-vitro and ex-vivo.
Soft materials and biological systems build themselves from smaller components: molecules or particles that stick together through weak forces such as electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, etc. Such self-assembly process lies at the heart of many of the unique physical properties of soft materials and is a key focus of our teaching and research within this research theme. To study these processes, we use a variety of advanced techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, microfluidics, nanoscale microscopy and spectroscopy, and a variety of physical chemistry tools.
Our work also includes designing new soft materials made from natural biomolecules and synthetic biopolymers.
Our Projects
Revealing the role of surface-supported lipids in gecko and insect adhesion
This study aims to investigate the impact of surface-supported lipid assemblies and their interactions on the adhesion and lubrication properties of gecko toepads through biomimetic models. Biological adhesives are generally categorized into two primary types: wet-adhesion, which is facilitated by a thin liquid film and associated forces, and dry-adhesion, which depends on the direct contact between the adhesive micropatterned pads and the substrate, without any intervening fluid.
Intracellular communication through designer membraneless organelles
The main idea of the project is to address intracellular communication through designer phase-separating membraneless organelles (MOs) in cell-like assemblies using on-chip microfluidic techniques, advanced microscopy, and molecular cloning. The idea is to generate multiple, functional, condensate-based compartments within synthetic cells to drive independent enzymatic reactions.
Revealing the role of surface-supported lipids in gecko and insect adhesion
This study aims to investigate the impact of surface-supported lipid assemblies and their interactions on the adhesion and lubrication properties of gecko toepads through biomimetic models. Biological adhesives are generally categorized into two primary types: wet-adhesion, which is facilitated by a thin liquid film and associated forces, and dry-adhesion, which depends on the direct contact between the adhesive micropatterned pads and the substrate, without any intervening fluid.
Intracellular communication through designer membraneless organelles
The main idea of the project is to address intracellular communication through designer phase-separating membraneless organelles (MOs) in cell-like assemblies using on-chip microfluidic techniques, advanced microscopy, and molecular cloning. The idea is to generate multiple, functional, condensate-based compartments within synthetic cells to drive independent enzymatic reactions.
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Research themes
Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter
Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, led by Jasper van der Gucht, is interested in phenomena at the nanoscale.
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