معرفی
Dr. Gert Folkers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, specializing in NMR Spectroscopy within the Biomolecular Sciences division. His research focuses on applying advanced NMR techniques to study biological macromolecules in their native environments. He is based in the Nicolaas Bloembergen building and has been actively involved in both research and teaching at the university for many years.
Dr. Folkers' research primarily centers on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy with emphasis on solid-state NMR and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization techniques. His work bridges structural biology and biophysics, with significant contributions to understanding protein structures in cellular environments, DNA-protein interactions, and developing novel NMR methodologies for in-cell applications. His research group has pioneered approaches to study proteins inside mammalian cells at atomic resolution, significantly advancing the field of structural biology.
Analysis of Dr. Folkers' publication record reveals a strong trajectory in advancing NMR methodology for biological applications, with increasing focus on cellular environments over time. His work spans from fundamental protein-DNA interactions to cutting-edge in-cell structural biology, demonstrating both breadth and depth in structural biology research. Recent publications highlight his leadership in applying DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR to study proteins and nucleic acids in increasingly complex biological contexts.
Dr. Folkers has served in various administrative capacities at Utrecht University, including participation in faculty decision-making since 2009 and membership on the University Council since 2012. He has been actively involved in teaching, particularly in life sciences master's and bachelor's information sessions since 2011-2012. His laboratory work extends beyond research to include significant safety responsibilities, having served as a radiation safety officer since 2002 and as an Emergency Response Officer since 2004.
Dr. Folkers leads research activities within the NMR Spectroscopy group, working closely with Professor Marc Baldus and other colleagues. His laboratory maintains the radionuclide facility in the Bloembergen building and focuses on developing and applying cutting-edge NMR methodologies to solve challenging problems in structural biology, particularly related to protein structure and function in cellular environments.
