In the past decade many population studies have been performed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to understand the bulk properties of protoplanetary disks around young stars. These population studies mostly consisted of low mass stars, with relatively few of the disks around…

Galaxies form and evolve through close interaction with their surroundings. As a result, the heavy elements ('metals') that are synthesized in stars, are found both inside and outside galaxies.

Within the field of astronomy, understanding how galaxies grow and evolve from the Big Bang to the present day is a challenging and complex question.

High-angular-resolution observations of the circumstellar material have uncovered numerous and very diverse substructures in protoplanetary discs, raising the question of whether they are caused by forming planets or other mechanisms.

Multiple stars, that is two or more stars composing a gravitationally bound system, are common in the universe.

Beneficial plant-associated microbiota, particularly those inhabiting the rhizosphere, contribute substantially to plant health through pathogen suppression, stimulation of plant defence responses, and enhanced nutrient acquisition.

This thesis investigates how galaxies form and what diversifies the evolutionary histories of galaxies.

This thesis discusses the physical and chemical processes than influence the composition of forming planets.

One of the key quests in astronomy is to study the growth and evolution of galaxies across cosmic time. Radio observations provide a powerful means of studying the formation of stars and subsequent buildup of distant galaxies, in a way that is unbiased by the presence of dust.

To address the fundamental questions of how life on Earth emerged and how common life may be in the Universe, it is crucial to know the chemical composition of the planet-forming material.

Promotor: J. Schaye

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. Schaye, Prof.dr. S.D.M. White (MPA Garching)

The focus of this thesis is how stars like our Sun and planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Earth are formed.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck

Promotor: R. Verpoorte, Co-promotores: Y.H.Choi, N.R. Mustafa

Promotores: Prof.dr. W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg & Dr. M.G. Vijver

What is the effect of light at night on plant phenology and physiology, and how does this affect plant interactions with other species?

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

Plastics have become an integral part of modern society due to their versatility and durability.

Wetenschappers bij de Leidse Sterrewacht onderzoeken de oorsprong van sterren en hun planetenstelsels. Ze detecteren en karakteriseren planeten rondom andere sterren (exoplaneten). Ze onderzoeken hoe sterren en planeten ontstaan. En ze volgen moleculen van interstellaire wolken tot planetenstelsels…

Promotor: C.A.M.J.J. van den Hondel, Co-promotor: Sandra de Weert

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. F. van Dishoeck

The formation of stars and planets happens over multiple scales, which can interact. In particular, planet formation happens in the dense, complex environment of star forming regions.

Promotor: Roeland M.H. Merks

Promotor: G.P. van Wezel

Promotores: Prof.dr. T.H.W. Bäck, Prof.dr. M. Bongards (Cologne University)

Plants produce an astonishing variety of secondary metabolites (SMs) which are thought to play vital roles in the fitness of plants through ecological interactions.

The soil ecosystem consists of the largest reservoir of biodiversity on Earth.

Understanding how chemical complexity emerges during star formation requires connecting molecular material preserved in interstellar ices with that observed in the gas phase after protostellar heating begins.

Promotor: E.F. Smets, Co-promotor: T.R. van Andel

The solar system was formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago. Despite the numerous theories that have been developed over the years, the formation and evolution of the solar system still remain unclear.

Promotor: Prof.dr. L.J. Slikkerveer

The AT-Hook Nuclear Localized 15 (AHL15) gene belongs to a plant-specific gene family of DNA-binding proteins. Overexpression of AHL15 in Arabidopsis thaliana delays developmental phase transitions whereas its loss of function causes a slight acceleration.

Promotores: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Prof.dr. P.G. van Dokkum (Yale University)

In this thesis, we study different curved single crystals because of the diversity of surface structures across their curvature.

Protein–protein complexes are formed via transient states called encounter complexes that greatly influence the formation of the stereospecific complex.

Large areas of space are filled by molecular clouds that consist of gas and dust grains that are the remnants of dead stars. When these clouds start collapsing, the decreasing temperature and increasing density cause gas particles to start accreting onto dust grain surfaces.

Promotor: P.G.L. Klinkhamer, Co-Promotores: K. Vrieling, P.P.J. Mulder

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. F.F.S. van der Tak (RUG)

A dense region of a gaseous and dusty cloud collapses to form a protostar surrounded by a disk and an envelope. This thesis uses both observations and models to study physical and chemical conditions of these protostellar systems which are likely where planets start to form.

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.V.J. Linnartz

The origin and evolution of galaxies are closely tied to the cyclic feedback processes between stars and the interstellar medium (ISM).

It has been a long-standing mystery how complex biological structures emerge from such seemingly uncoordinated building blocks as cells and tissues, in the presence of only minimal environmental guidance.

This thesis investigates the relations between metabolism and anatomy through the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

The physical origin of the dozens of stellar-mass binaries, the mergers of which have been detected by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration via gravitational waves, is still unknown.

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

Promotor: Erik F. Smets, Co-promotores: Barbara Gravendeel, Niels Raes

This thesis takes steps toward understanding the interaction between gas-phase and solid-state molecules in star- and planet-forming regions.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: M.R. Hogerheijde

This thesis addresses the chemical processes that determine the compositions of giant planet atmospheres.