Bio-Organic Chemistry Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and ChemistryOur ambition is to create hybrid cells and organelles that can be used to mimic and adjust cellular processes. We employ expertise from polymer science, nanotechnology and cell biology to achieve our goals. Are you the enthusiastic PhD student that fits in our group of excellent researchers?
The research of the group Bio-organic Chemistry focuses on compartmentalization strategies to construct micro and nanocapsules which can be applied in the areas of nanomedicine and artificial cell research. We design smart delivery vehicles that for example cross the blood brain barrier or are used in cancer therapy. We use nanoparticles as scaffolds for vaccine development. We construct capsules with life-like properties, such as metabolism, organelle-mimetic behavior and cell growth and motility. In our research we combine techniques from protein engineering, polymer chemistry and bioconjugation approaches to create particles with bioactive properties.
Further information on the research interests of Prof. Jan van Hest can be found on their website:
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/bio-organic-chemistry/A PhD position is open in the field of Nanomotor-based Science
Nanomotor-based quorum behavior with directional and rotational controlNanomotors, composed of self-assembled bowl-shaped polymer vesicles which are loaded with enzymes are able to show directional motion. They will be decorated on the surface with molecular motors. These molecular motors show clockwise or anti- clockwise motion when irradiated with the wavelength of light. The two types of motion will be used to induce a concerted directional and rotational movement via the addition of fuel, and irradiation with appropriate light. The final aim is to achieve this concerted effect in a population of nanomotors.