Endocannabinoids are lipid messengers that modulate various physiological functions by activating the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. While the metabolism of endocannabinoids and their action at the CB receptors is fairly well studied, the molecular mechanisms governing their release and transport…

Inaugurale rede

Anthropogenic change is reshaping ecological systems, raising concerns about increasing transmission of infectious diseases. Among these, mosquito-borne diseases may be particularly sensitive to environmental change, as their transmission depends on vector populations.

Promotor: Prof.dr. G.A. van der Marel, Co-Promotor: J.D.C. Codée

The main goal of this thesis is to achieve advanced control of binding properties in bis-pyrrolic and macrocyclic pyrrolic receptors by light.

This thesis describes the use of an activity-based proteomics method to study the endocannabinoid system.

Promotor: G.R. de Snoo, Co-promotores: M.G. Vijver, J.P.M. Vink

The primary goal of this research is to deepen our understanding of substrate-enzyme interactions in Glycoside hydrolases. For this purpose, Bacillus circulans xylanase (BcX) has been selected as a well-established model to examine the Michaelis complex and glycosyl-enzyme adduct.

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

The thesis describes terrestrial field trials aimed to detect side-effects of pesticides within the framework of pesticide registration procedures. Field trials were developed using vascular plants Brassica napus and Poa annua, caterpillars Pieris brassicae and effects on decomposition were studied…

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.P. Abrahams

Soil biodiversity is of great importance for the maintenance of multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

The research described in this thesis combines the latest insights in lysosomal function with lysosome centred cell signalling.

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), including N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA), N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) and N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA), are signaling lipids that play an important role in different physiological process.

If mankind wants to survive into the 22nd century, we will need to change the way we live drastically. The human impact on our planet is everywhere, we are changing the atmosphere, the oceans and the land, leading to global warming, climate change, loss of biodiversity and pervasive pollution. There…

This multidisciplinary minor provides students with knowledge on how and why humans became the way they are. The minor focuses on the evolution of the species Homo sapiens from other hominin lineages and animal ancestors, and on the various factors shaping this process. Not only is human evolution of…

Hoe kunnen we onze maatschappij zo inrichten dat de wereld leefbaar blijft voor onszelf en al het andere leven om ons heen? Aan dat vraagstuk werken Leidse wetenschappers samen vanuit allerlei disciplines, van biologie tot datawetenschap en van milieueconomie tot archeologie.

Aan de hand van de karakteristieke aspecten van een beeld kunnen bepaalde computers ons vertellen wat het beeld laat zien. Ze kunnen dit leren op dezelfde manier als jonge kinderen beelden kunnen leren herkennen. Het verder verbeteren van deze technieken opent de weg naar een hele reeks nieuwe toepassingen.…

Om goed onderbouwde besluiten over complexe onderwerpen zoals het klimaat, recht en gezondheid te kunnen nemen, zijn wetenschappelijke resultaten van groot belang. Maar wetenschappelijke resultaten bevatten altijd een mate van onzekerheid. Binnen het onderzoek Communicatie over onzekerheden wordt onderzocht…

Aan de hand van de karakteristieke aspecten van een beeld kunnen bepaalde computers ons vertellen wat het beeld laat zien. Ze kunnen dit leren op dezelfde manier als jonge kinderen beelden kunnen leren herkennen. Het verder verbeteren van deze technieken opent de weg naar een hele reeks nieuwe toepassingen.…

Carbohydrates, or sugars, are the most diverse and most abundant biomolecules known. However, the isolation of carbohydrate samples in sufficient amounts and purity is often impractical or even impossible, so the chemical synthesis of glycosides becomes relevant. The glycosylation reaction, in which…

At the moment, over 350.000 chemicals are registered worldwide for production and use. Their application, however, may harm human health and the environment.

Despite the fact that gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are one of the most studied nanoparticles, there is still a necessity for new approaches allowing for effective protective coating to enable wider use of GNPs in biomedical applications.

Promotor: T. Schmidt, Co-Promotor: B.E. Snaar-Jagalska

The study of orchid flowers, fruits, and inflorescences is crucial due to the remarkable diversity of orchid species and their unique adaptations to pollinators and seed dispersers. However, our understanding of the evolution and development of these organs within the orchid family remains limited.

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

In times of hardships or crisis, local people know how to deal with it using their resourcefulness. Although efforts are sometimes made by the government to help them, they are fully aware that community support is at least equally important.

Trigonostemon Blume is a plant genus in the family Euphorbiaceae comprising 59 species.

This ecological community has long been known to affect host biology, and their diverse roles have been further clarified in recent years following numerous studies of animal:microbiota interactions in diverse systems.

Diacylglycerol lipases (DAGLα and DAGLβ) are responsible for the biosynthesis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the brain and peripheral tissues. Selective DAGLβ inhibitors have been proposed as a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases with reduced potential for central…

Promotor: A. Kros

Single-molecule spectroscopy has become a powerful method for using organic fluorescent molecules in numerous applications.

In this thesis, bioorthogonal chemistry is combined with correlative light-electron microscopy to selectively label and study pathogenic intracellular bacteria within the host immune cell.

Phospholipase A/acyltransferase 3 (PLAAT3) and PLAAT4 are enzymes involved in the synthesis of bioactive lipids. Despite sequential and structural similarities, the two enzymes differ in activity and specificity.

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

Plant diversity is essential for us and our planet as it sustains the stability of our ecosystems, provides vital materials and food to us and supports many ecosystem services.

Promotor: Prof.dr. W.J.G.M. Peijnenburg

Membrane fusion is a vital process in living organisms and is mediated by zipper-like proteins.

This thesis describes the role of pollution, specifically neonicotinoid insecticides, as an actor of the ongoing biodiversity decline.

Na het afronden van de bacheloropleiding volgen verreweg de meeste studenten de masteropleiding. De Universiteit Leiden stimuleert studenten om na hun bacheloropleiding door te gaan met de masteropleiding.

Plant exudates appeared long time ago in the history line of life in the early Devonian. They are typical saps produced by specialized cells.

Single-layer graphene (SLG) has attracted considerable interest as a proton exchange membrane for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), owing to its atomic thickness, mechanical robustness, and unique proton permeability.

This dissertation presents the synthesis and evaluation of antibody recognition for various capsular polysaccharide (CP) fragments of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

Kinase inhibitors are key therapeutic agents, particularly in oncology, yet their clinical efficacy is often hampered by off-target effects and limited understanding of their cellular target profiles.

This dissertation explores new chemical strategies for the synthesis of self-adjuvanting peptide conjugates and immunomodulatory ligands aimed at targeted activation of the immune system.