Eefjan Breukink

Prof. dr. Eefjan Breukink is a full Professor in the Department of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science. His office is located in the Hugo R. Kruyt Building (Room Z807), where he leads research on bacterial membrane mechanisms and antibiotic development.

Breukink's research focuses on:

• Antibiotic mechanisms targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis, especially interactions with Lipid II
• Peptidoglycan biosynthesis and remodeling
• Membrane biophysics studied through advanced techniques like solid-state NMR
• Development of novel antimicrobial peptides including nisin and teixobactin derivatives
• Bacterial resistance mechanisms and stress responses

His laboratory employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning biochemistry, structural biology, and chemical biology to address fundamental questions in membrane science.

Analysis of Breukink's recent publications reveals strong emphasis on:

• Discovery and optimization of next-generation antibiotics
• High-resolution structural studies of membrane protein complexes
• Metabolic labeling techniques for tracking peptidoglycan synthesis
• Bacterial stress responses under oxidative/acidic conditions
• Innovative applications of solid-state NMR in membrane biology

He teaches multiple courses including Biomolecular Chemistry, Membranes & Metabolism, and oversees Bachelor/Master thesis projects in biochemistry. As secondary activities, he serves as a reviewer for NWO committees and international journals.