This thesis focuses on two processes involved in fighting infections: metabolism and immune cell motility and navigation.

Promotores: W. Jiskoot, F. Ossendorp

In surface science there is great effort to move from studying simple, flat model surfaces in vacuum to investigating more complex model catalysts in gas environments (in situ). This thesis gives three examples of such studies using microscopy and spectroscopy.

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

Cathodic corrosion is a relatively unknown phenomenon that can severely etch metallic electrodes at cathodic (negative) potentials.

Promotores: Wim Jiskoot; Ferry Ossendorp

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.G.E.M. Fraaije, Co-promotor: A. Kros

The progressive loss and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is a major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The onset and progression of PD can be triggered by multiple risk factors, for instance, genetic mutation, environmental exposure, and aging.

The aim of this thesis was to develop aluminium salt-based nanoparticles that may ultimately be used as adjuvant in human vaccines.

In this thesis, I study 1) metabolic alterations in tuberculosis related to wasting syndrome in human patients as well as in rodent and fish animal models. 2) effects of the mutation of the leptin gene on cachexia and diabetes in rodent and zebrafish animal models.

Metabolomics is a powerful tool that can provide a comprehensive insight into the complexity of human biology and the pathophysiology of diseases. By analyzing the metabolome, which refers to the complete set of small (endogenous) molecules (with a mass <1500 Da) present within a given biological system,…

In most applications, electrocatalysts exhibit a large surface area to volume ratio, for example using nanoparticles.

The rapidly increasing commercial application of metallic nanoparticles within products will inevitably enhance the amount of NPs being released into soil.

Current therapies for patients with atherosclerosis are targeted primarily on reducing blood cholesterol, but this fails to prevent a large number of cardiovascular events.95 In order to identify new therapeutic strategies for treating atherosclerosis, it is important to study the interactions between…

The investigation into the bidirectional communication between the gut and its host is a rapidly growing area of research, attracting considerable attention for its potential to provide crucial insights into health and disease.

This thesis tackles the difficulty of predicting the liver’s clinical response to novel therapies, a challenge arising from interspecies differences and limitations of existing in vitro models.

Onderzoek in het BioTherapeutics onderzoeksprogramma is gericht op een soepelere en snellere transitie van preklinisch onderzoek naar geneesmiddelen en op het afleveren van medicijnen in het menselijk lichaam met behulp van kleine moleculen en ‘biologics’.

This thesis focuses on the development of sample-preparation methods for small amounts of samples and applying the developed methods to muscle tissues to investigate the mechanisms involved in sarcopenia.

Promotie

Projecten van de afdeling Environmental Biology

The major and ultimate aim of metabolomics is to obtain an answer to a specific biological or clinical question.

Individuele moleculen zijn extreem moeilijk te zien via hun zwakke fluorescentie. Piepkleine gouden nanostaafjes fungeren als nieuwe antennes om hun signaal 500 maal te versterken. Publicatie op 24 februari in Angewandte Chemie.

The outbreaks of AIDS and COVID-19 showed clearly how infectious viruses can influence people’s lives. Investigating the changes in the host metabolism may provide a paradigm shift to consider immune-metabolic interactions as therapeutic targets.

Promotor: M.A.G.J. Orrit

This thesis explores squaramide-based supramolecular polymers and hydrogels, enhancing their mechanical strength for 3D cell culture.

Moleculen detecteren met temperatuur in plaats van chemische reacties: dat is wat wetenschappers van het Leids Instituut voor Onderzoek in de Natuurkunde willen doen. Ze ontwikkelen een sensor die speciale nanodeeltjes gebruikt om moleculen in de gaten te houden. Op deze manier kunnen ze bijvoorbeeld…

Promotores:Th.J.C. van Berkel, M. van Eck

Promotor: H.S. Overkleeft, Co-promotor: M. van der Stelt

Hoe is het om te werken bij de Universiteit Leiden en hoe zijn wij als werkgever? Diverse medewerkers delen graag hun ervaringen. Bekijk de video’s.

In this research project, we aimed to obtain more insight in the role of mast cells in the immune driven disorders rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis.

Promotie

The bacterial cell wall is a nearly universal structure that offers protection and gives the cell its shape. However, environmental stressors, such as cell wall-targeting antibiotics and hyperosmotic conditions, can induce bacteria to shift to a wall-deficient state. It is unknown whether the lack of…

Heterogeneous catalysis is essential to many industrial applications. These catalysts are often comprised of supported nanoparticles, which contain various different surface sites.

This thesis investigates reactive interfaces in surface science across three domains: heterogeneous catalysis, environmental nanoplastics, and two-dimensional materials.

This thesis focuses on using liposomes in two different treatment strategies; vaccination (or immunotherapy) and delivery of a small molecule, and in two different disease models; cancer and atherosclerosis.

Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by blood dwelling parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, and it is classified as the second most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease, second only to malaria.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in the world. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is the development of atherosclerosis in the medium and large-sized arteries.

This thesis describes biochemical investigations of glucocerebrosidase (GBA), the lysosomal β- glucosidase that is deficient in Gaucher disease (GD).

Promotor: H.S. Overkleeft, Co-promotor: M. van der Stelt

Cardiovascular syndromes are the major cause of death in Western societies.

Promotor: T. Hankemeier, Co-Promotores: T. Reijmers, L. Coulier

Promotores: H.S. Overkleeft, G.A. van der Marel, Co-promotor: B.I. Florea

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancer in males.

Promotor: J.A. van Veen, Co-promotor: E.E. Kuramae

Filamentous Actinobacteria, such as Streptomyces, produce a plethora of chemically diverse bioactive metabolites that have found applications across medicine, agriculture and biotechnology.

Bacterial biocatalysis constitutes a sustainable alternative for high-value chemicals production by enabling the utilization of renewable feedstocks.

Organisms often need to adapt more efficiently and devise new strategies for surviving difficult ecological circumstances.