Per 15 december 2025 is Dr. Leila Akkari benoemd tot bijzonder hoogleraar bij het Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC). Haar leerstoel met de opdracht Kanker-Immuun Interacties is gevestigd door het Nederlands Kankerinstituut (NKI), alwaar Dr. Akkari werkzaam is als onderzoeker.

Een overzicht van awards en prijzen die in 2019 zijn toegekend aan onze medewerkers en studenten, maar ook bijzondere benoemingen aan de Universiteit Leiden en andere instellingen.

Een overzicht van awards en prijzen die in 2020 zijn toegekend aan onze medewerkers en studenten, maar ook bijzondere benoemingen aan de Universiteit Leiden en andere instellingen.

Een overzicht van awards en prijzen die in 2021 zijn toegekend aan onze medewerkers en studenten, maar ook bijzondere benoemingen aan de Universiteit Leiden en andere instellingen.

This thesis describes the design and synthesis of novel small molecules based on sulfur-containing heterocycles for the inhibition of glycosidases and glycosyltransferases related to Fabry and Pompe disease.

In this thesis the combinatorial use of bioorthogonal labelling and Electron Microscopy (EM)-based imaging techniques is explored to enable observations of specific molecular targets in their ultrastructural context within the cell.

Het proefschrift omschrijft de chemische synthese van fenolische glycolipiden van verschillende mycobacteriën met het doel om deze te kunnen gebruiken voor immunologisch onderzoek.

The aim of the research described in this thesis was to use structure-based design to optimise multiple properties of aryl sulfoxide monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors as anti-inflammatory analgesics.

Naar schatting bestaat de wereldbevolking over twintig jaar uit ongeveer 8,7 miljard mensen, terwijl dat aantal nu 7,3 miljard is. Deze groei, gecombineerd met de bijbehorende groei in consumptie en de verbeteringen in levensstandaarden, zal resulteren in een enorme groei in de vraag naar voedsel, verbruiksgoederen,…

Design and synthesis of two 3-substituted swainsonine derivatives with the aim to improve the potency and selectivity towards Golgi alpha-mannosidase II.

The thesis describes the development, synthesis and biological evaluation of several proteasome inhibitor designs. Mainly, this work focusses on designing proteasome inhibitors that selectively inhibit the immunoproteasome, while leaving the constitutive proteasome mostly, if not completely, untouch…

The chemical synthesis of inhibitors and probes targeting endo-glycosidases.

Synthetic methodlogy is described, aiding in the synthetic preparation of putative inhibitors of retaining and inverting glycosidases and glycosyl transferases. All constructs are cyclophellitol-based cyclitols.

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) is associated with several inflammatory diseases with an unmet medical need (e.g. Alzheimers, multiple sclerosis, reumatoid arthritis). Development of new chemical biology strategies to study this protein is essential to aid future development of drugs for these…

Several techniques are explored for going beyond the born-oppenheimer static surface model for molecule-surface reactions.

This thesis has shed light on some of the ways in which the local electrolyte composition can differ from the bulk and how these changes in the local reaction environment can determine the activity and/or selectivity of two important electrocatalytic reactions, namely, electrochemical CO2 reduction…

Het chemische biologie-onderzoek bij het Leids Instituut voor Chemisch Onderzoek (LIC) is gericht op het begrijpen van biologische processen op moleculair niveau, om zo onze kennis te vergroten over gezondheid en ziekte van de mens.

Thesis focused on uncovering the underlying mechanisms of the lysosomal storage disorders Gaucher's disease using chemical tools, biochemical assays and lipidomics.

Within this thesis the central stage is taken by the discovery and investigation of transglycosylation of sterols. First, investigation focuses on the development of a method to accurately detect and quantify glucosylated metabolites in biological materials.

Promotor: H.S. Overkleeft, Co-Promotor: B.I. Florea

This thesis describes the development of a variety of mannosylated conjugates. Antigen presenting cells bear mannoside recognizing receptors that actively transport antigen into the cell. This thesis exploits this feature for the development of improved vaccines.

This thesis focuses on the application of lipid-based nanomedicine in drug delivery, including small molecular antitumor drugs and biomacromolecules including mRNA, and evaluates their biological performance.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman

Viral diseases constitute one of the major challenges in modern medicine. Membrane-targeting have broad-spectrum potential and could distinguish viral membranes from the host cell plasma membrane by the difference in membrane curvature.

This Thesis describes the synthesis of D-alanylated ribitol-based wall teichoic acids from S. aureus to probe their interaction with immune-binding partners.

The research described in this thesis focused on the preparation of S/N functionalized carbene ligands and their transition metal complexes, and the exploration of their application as electrocatalysts for proton reduction.

The adsorption of D2 and CO2 on catalyst surfaces is studied using a molecular beam in ultra-high vacuum.

Met de NMR faciliteit doen we onderzoek naar de synthese van paramagnetische moleculen om kennis te vergaren over de structuur en dynamiek van eiwitten. Deze kennis kan dienen als basis voor een medicijn dat zich hecht aan een eiwit of voor de ontwikkeling van vaccins. Medicijnontwikkeling is één van…

Op deze pagina vind je een overzicht van prijzen en subsidies die in 2025 zijn toegekend aan onze medewerkers en studenten, en de bijzondere benoemingen aan de Universiteit Leiden en andere instellingen.

To design the ideal water oxidation catalyst, understanding of the catalytic mechanism and decomposition pathways is essential.

The studies described in this thesis deal with glycosidases, in particular alpha-galactosidases.

In this thesis, the researcher developed a nanosystem based on the metallophilic Interaction between cyclometalated complexes.

Sphingolipids are important membrane compounds with a variety of functions. In mammalian cells, different enzymes are involved in the metabolism of sphingolipids, but interruption of this metabolism process leads to different diseases.

This thesis presents the first synthetic peptides ADP-ribosylated on serine, threonine, tyrosine, arginine and cysteine.

M.T.M. Koper, Co-promotor: D.G.H. Hetterscheid

The work described in this Thesis is focused on the assembly of oligosaccharide fragments derived from a fungal polysaccharide, galactosaminogalactan (GAG) and fragments of the exopolysaccharide Pel, generated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

This thesis aimed to investigate core cross-linked polymeric micelles (CCPMs) and expand their potential for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs and co-factors.

Cyclic peptides are investigated as a platform to induce different orientations between various ligands.

Neuraminidases are enzymes that cleave glycosidic linkages of sialic acid. These enzymes are involved in influenza infections as well as in many cellular processes in mammals and micro-organisms.

Promotor: E. Bouwman, Co-Promotor: S. Bonnet

Evolution acts via mutations in amino acid sequences. Substitution of essential amino acids leads to a nonfunctional protein. l.

O-Nitrobenzyl groepen worden veel gebruikt als moleculaire beschermgroepen die je met licht kunt verwijderen.

The aim of this thesis is to study cell-cell interactions and the development of an assay to explore and quantify the exchange of membrane compounds.

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: L.B.F. Juurlink

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink, Co-promotor: G. Siegal

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is the substrate used for the introduction of the ubiquitous and highly dynamic PTM in which either one or multiple adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPr) moieties are covalently attached to a nucleophilic side chain of an specific amino acid in the target protein…

In this thesis, we consider various (electro)chemical phenomena at surfaces and nanoparticles and their underlying atomistic processes, which we studied using first-principles methods such as density functional theory.