
Analytical Chemistry (prof. dr. M.W.F. Nielen)
The special Chair on Analytical Chemistry with special emphasis on the detection of chemical food contaminants has been established in 2007 within the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry. Focus of the Chair is on research in bioactivity-related detection and mass spectrometric identification of chemical contaminants in the food chain, ultimately leading to the identification of emerging unknown bioactive contaminants. Within this scope, innovations in ambient ionization mass spectrometry, biosensing, toxicology and microfluidics are being integrated.
In 2021 the following interrelated projects are being studied:
1. Multiplex screening using planar arrays of color-encoded microspheres
2. Advances in mass spectrometry
3. Smartphone-based food quality and safety testing
4. 'Proeftuin' Citizen Science.
In 2017, the regional Citizen Science Innovation Initiative (CSII) has been established in which Radboud University Nijmegen, University of Twente and Wageningen University collaborate on health, food and environmental analytical chemistry with the ultimate aim of bringing the lab to the sample and facilitating future citizens science approaches. In 2018, the European Union through its European Fund for Regional Development (EFRO) and OP-Oost granted the project ‘Proeftuin Citizen Science’ (project no. PROJ-00748), coordinated by Radboud University. In this project, the academic CSII partners will validate and benchmark prototype devices and handhelds from six different private partners using their high-end facilities and expertise. The Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (ORC) is the academic partner from Wageningen University and will bring the expertise of its scientific staff and the technical skills of its technicians to the project. Particularly, high-end chromatography and spectroscopy for benchmarking of sensors, detailed characterization of sensor surfaces and translation of devices towards mobile and smartphone-based future alternatives is expected to be highly relevant. Further detailing of activities will depend on specific needs of the private partners in the project.

Recent publications:
A. Geballa-Koukoula, A. Gerssen, M.W.F. Nielen, “From smartphone lateral flow immunoassay screening to direct MS analysis: development and validation of a semi-quantitative Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometric (DART-MS) approach to the analysis of deoxynivalenol”, Sensors, (2021) submitted.
P. de Haan, M.J.C. Santbergen, M. van der Zande, H. Bouwmeester, M.W.F. Nielen, E. Verpoorte, “A versatile, compartmentalised gut-on-a-chip system for pharmacological and toxicological analyses”, Sci. Rep., (2021) in press.
G.M.S. Ross, D. Filippini , M.W.F. Nielen, G.IJ. Salentijn, “Unraveling the hook effect; a comprehensive study of high antigen concentration effects in sandwich lateral flow immunoassays“, Anal. Chem., 92 (2020) 15587−15595.
G.M.S. Ross, D. Filippini , M.W.F. Nielen, G.IJ. Salentijn, “Interconnectable solid-liquid protein extraction unit and chip-based dilution for multiplexed consumer immunodiagnostics “, Anal. Chim. Acta, 1140 (2020) 190-198.
A. Geballa-Koukoula, A. Gerssen, M.W.F. Nielen, “Direct analysis of lateral flow immunoassays for deoxynivalenol using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry“, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 412 (2020) 7547–7558.
M.J.C. Santbergen, M. van der Zande, A. Gerssen, H. Bouwmeester, M.W.F. Nielen, “Dynamic in vitro intestinal barrier model coupled to chip-based liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for oral bioavailability studies“, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 412 (2020) 1111-1122.
F.A.M.G. van Geenen, F.W. Claassen, M.C.R. Franssen, H. Zuilhof, M.W.F. Nielen, “Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Ambient Mass Spectrometry Imaging“, J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., 31 (2020) 249-256.
M.H. Blokland, A. Gerssen, J. Jager, M.W.F. Nielen, “Ionization source, functional combination with a mobile device and arrangement with an atmospheric inlet mass spectrometry system“, European Patent Application (2020), EP20177574.