Han Karel Remaut

Han Karel Remaut is a Professor and External employee in the Department of Bio-engineering Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where he leads the Structural Biology Brussels research group. He also serves as a groupleader at the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology since 2009.

His research focuses on structural biology of bacterial systems, particularly:

• Single-domain antibodies and nanobodies
• Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis
• Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
• Bacterial protein structures and assembly
• Biofilm formation
• S-layer proteins

Prof. Remaut's recent work, as evidenced by his 2025 publications, centers on structural analysis of bacterial systems using cryo-EM, investigation of outer membrane biogenesis in Gram-negative bacteria, and development of single-domain antibodies for therapeutic applications. His research bridges structural biology with bacterial pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions.

He has received significant research funding with 44 projects totaling over 15 years of continuous funding, including major grants for nanobody development, bacterial protein nanofibers, and advanced cryogenic microscopy.

• IOF3034: Nanotools - From Nanobodies to new materials for Biotechnology and Health (2025-2029)
• FWOSB195: BactoCatch: development of agglutinating protein nanofibers for non-antibiotic depletion of enteric pathogens (2024-2028)
• HERC68: High-resolution low-cost 100 kV electron cryogenic microscope for near-atomic protein structure determination (2024-2028)

Prof. Remaut actively mentors students and has supervised multiple Master's theses on topics ranging from protein structure-function analysis to bacterial nanofiber applications. He also organizes educational initiatives such as the "Biotech in Brussels" Summer School.

His laboratory, Structural Biology Brussels, focuses on understanding bacterial protein structures and their implications for pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions.