Charles Van der Henst

Charles Van der Henst is a Professor in the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, specializing in Structural Biology. His research focuses on bacterial pathogenesis, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii and related antibiotic resistance mechanisms. He maintains an active research program with multiple ongoing projects and a substantial publication record.

Dr. Van der Henst's research interests center on microbial pathogenesis with particular emphasis on Acinetobacter baumannii, carbapenem resistance, virulence factors, and nanobody technology applications. His work bridges structural biology and microbiology to develop novel therapeutic approaches against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The research combines molecular techniques, structural analysis, and clinical microbiology to address pressing challenges in antibiotic resistance.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on bacterial resistance mechanisms, nanobody applications for bacterial targeting, and comprehensive characterization of clinically relevant bacterial strains. The work shows a consistent trajectory toward developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for challenging bacterial pathogens.

Dr. Van der Henst actively participates in academic service, serving on PhD committees and supervising graduate students. His recent committee memberships include evaluations for doctoral candidates in bio-engineering sciences, demonstrating his engagement with the next generation of researchers.

He leads multiple research projects including FWOSB189 on anti-amoebic strategies using Nanobody technology, HERC68 on cryogenic electron microscopy for protein structure determination, and several related initiatives focused on bacterial pathogenesis and structural biology. These projects involve substantial collaboration with other researchers across multiple institutions.