Pim de Vink is a doctoral researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology , affiliated with the Biomedical Engineering department and Chemical Biology group. Supervised by dr. L.-G. Milroy and prof. L. Brunsveld , his work bridges supramolecular chemistry and chemical biology , focusing on host/guest chemistry for protein complex modulation. Education: B.Sc. in Chemistry (2014) from University of Amsterdam M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering (2016) from TU/e Internship at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology (2016) on gold-catalyzed synthesis Research Themes: His research develops switchable cucurbituril-based systems for light-controlled enzyme activation and artificial signaling networks. Key areas include protein-protein interaction stabilization , thermodynamic modeling , and allosteric nuclear receptor modulation . Publication Trends: Across JACS , Chemical Science , and RSC Chemical Biology , his work from 2017–2023 emphasizes supramolecular tools for biochemical applications. Notable contributions include 100-fold affinity enhancement of 14-3-3 ligands and UV-responsive cucurbituril release mechanisms . Grants: Funded by Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) through Gravity program 024.001.035 and VICI grant 016.150.366.
Daniela Kraft is a Professor of Experimental Physics at the Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory , part of the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) at Leiden University. She obtained her Ph.D. cum laude from Utrecht University and completed postdoctoral research at New York University's Center for Soft Matter Research with a Rubicon grant. Her research bridges self-assembly in soft and biological matter , including colloidal particles , lipid membranes , and active systems . Key awards include the NWO Athena Prize (2019) , ERC Starting Grant , VENI/VIDI fellowships , and the Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year (2017) . She has published extensively in journals like Nature Communications , ACS Nano , and Physical Review Letters , with recent work on membrane-deforming colloids , non-additive interactions , and anisotropic microswimmers . Research Focus : Self-organization principles in biological and synthetic systems, colloidal model systems, and non-equilibrium physics. Labs : Leads the Kraft Lab at Leiden University. Education : Ph.D. in Physics (Utrecht University), Postdoc in Soft Matter Physics (NYU).
Professor Roland J. Pieters is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, where he serves as a full Professor in the Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. With over two decades of experience at the institution, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (1998) to Associate Professor (2005) and ultimately to Full Professor (2010-present). His research group is internationally recognized for groundbreaking work at the intersection of carbohydrate chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery, with particular emphasis on developing novel therapeutic approaches against bacterial infections and pathogenic mechanisms. Full Professor, Utrecht University (2010-present) Associate Professor, Utrecht University (2005-2010) Assistant Professor, Utrecht University (1998-2005) NWO Talent Post-doctoral Fellow, ETH-Zürich (1995-1996) Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Groningen (1996-1998) Professor Pieters earned his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Groningen in 1990, where he worked with Professor Ben Feringa, and completed his Ph.D. at MIT in 1995 under the supervision of Professor Julius Rebek Jr. His doctoral research focused on molecular recognition and template effects in bisubstrate systems, establishing the foundation for his lifelong interest in molecular interactions. Professor Pieters' research primarily centers on glycodrugs and the strategic interference with protein-carbohydrate interactions using multivalent systems of varying architectures. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how rigid spacers in multivalent ligands can dramatically enhance binding affinity to target proteins, with applications against viral and bacterial adhesion proteins, toxins, galectins, and glycosidases. A particular focus has been on developing inhibitors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA, cholera toxin, influenza virus hemagglutinin, and more recently, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interactions with host cell receptors. His group also pioneered the use of glyco- and peptide-microarrays for high-throughput screening of carbohydrate-protein interactions and drug discovery, particularly in the area of O-GlcNAcylation research. The publication record of Professor Pieters demonstrates consistent innovation in the field of multivalent carbohydrate-based therapeutics. His recent work (2020-2024) shows a strategic expansion into viral pathogenesis (particularly influenza and SARS-CoV-2), immune modulation through glycan recognition, and novel approaches to vaccine development. A notable trend is the increasing sophistication of multivalent architectures, moving from simple divalent systems to tetra- and hexavalent ligands with precisely engineered spatial arrangements. His research bridges fundamental chemical principles with practical therapeutic applications, maintaining strong connections to pharmaceutical development while advancing basic science understanding of carbohydrate-mediated biological processes. Professor Pieters' scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including a Fellowship from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in 1999 and a VICI personal grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) in 2008. These competitive awards reflect the significance and innovation of his research program. He has also served on editorial advisory boards, notably as Section Editor-in-Chief for Chemical Biology in the journal Molecules (2018-2022), contributing to the scholarly community through peer review and academic leadership. Fellowship of Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences (KNAW), 1999 VICI, personal grant, NWO, 2008 Section Editor-in-Chief Chemical Biology for Molecules (2018-2022) Throughout his career, Professor Pieters has coordinated significant research projects including the EU project POLYCARB and secured competitive funding that has sustained his innovative research program. His laboratory has fostered numerous collaborations across Europe and internationally, creating a vibrant research environment that has trained many scientists now working in academia and industry. His research on multivalent carbohydrate systems represents a sustained intellectual contribution to chemical biology with direct relevance to developing new anti-infective strategies and therapeutic approaches. Professor Pieters leads an active research group within Utrecht University's Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, situated in the David de Wied Building. His laboratory maintains strong connections with other research groups both within Utrecht University and internationally, particularly in the fields of glycobiology, infectious diseases, and drug discovery. The research environment he has cultivated emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining synthetic chemistry, biophysical analysis, and biological testing to address fundamental questions in carbohydrate-mediated biological processes with therapeutic applications.
Prof. Roland J. Pieters is a Full Professor of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at Utrecht University, leading research in glycodrugs and protein-carbohydrate interactions. He earned his MSc from the University of Groningen (1990) and PhD from MIT (1995), followed by postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich and Utrecht University. His work focuses on multivalent carbohydrate systems targeting bacterial and viral adhesion proteins, including lectins like LecA and Shiga toxin. He has held grants such as the VICI (2008) and a KNAW fellowship (1999), and chairs the Chemical Biology of Multivalent Systems. His research group uses glyco-microarrays and advanced inhibitors to combat pathogens, with applications in vaccines and antivirals. Key achievements include developing polymer-based cholera toxin inhibitors and anti-influenza agents. He contributes to education as a Program Leader in the Pharmaceutical Sciences department and serves on editorial boards, including Molecules (Chemical Biology section). Education: M.Sc., University of Groningen, 1990 Ph.D., MIT, 1995 Research Interests: Glycodrugs, protein-carbohydrate interactions, multivalency, and drug discovery with an emphasis on bacterial/viral adhesion inhibition and immune modulation. His lab designs inhibitors using rigid spacers and explores O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitors for therapeutic applications. Grants & Awards: 2023: VICI grant (NWO) 1999: KNAW Fellowship Teaching & Service: Program Leader for Pharmaceutical Sciences education since 2006, member of examination committees, and curriculum developer for Molecular Life Sciences programs. Editorial role in Chemical Biology (Molecules). Labs/Teams: Leads the Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery department, focusing on glycobiology, antiviral strategies, and carbohydrate-based therapeutics.
Peter Zijlstra is a Full Professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Molecular Plasmonics group. His research focuses on single-molecule sensing using plasmonic and nanophotonic approaches to study biomolecular interactions in complex environments. He is a core member of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems at TU/e, collaborating across disciplines like chemistry, biomedical engineering, and mathematics. Education: MSc in Applied Physics, University of Twente (2005) PhD from Swinburne University of Technology (2009), studying plasmonic nanoparticles in optical data storage Postdoctoral fellowship at Leiden University under Prof. Michel Orrit Research Interests: Developing novel sensing concepts via nanophotonics and super-resolution microscopy. Key areas include plasmon-enhanced fluorescence, real-time biomolecular dynamics, and applications in cancer management. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through advancements in biosensing technologies. Awards: 2013 NWO Vidi Award for research on plasmonic imaging of enzymes in living cells Teaching & Activities: Teaches courses like Advanced Optical Microscopy and Electromagnetism Supervised 32 academic works Contributed to conferences and editorial roles for journals like npj Biosensing Labs & Collaborations: Molecular Plasmonics group website: www.molecular-plasmonics.nl Marie Curie ITN SuperCol project: www.supercol.eu
Marileen Dogterom is a Professor of Bionanoscience at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, and holds a dual appointment as a Medical Delta Professor at the Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University. Her research focuses on the quantitative biophysics of the cytoskeleton, particularly microtubule dynamics and their role in cellular organization and division. Her work integrates in vitro reconstitution , theoretical modeling , and live-cell experiments to dissect the physical mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal processes. She leads the national 'Building a Synthetic Cell' (BaSyC) initiative, aiming to construct a minimal synthetic cell, reflecting her pioneering role in bottom-up synthetic biology. Her lab investigates cytoskeletal crosstalk, DNA segregation systems, microtubule-kinetochore coupling, and force generation using advanced techniques like optical tweezers and liquid-phase electron microscopy. The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in mechanistic biophysics and synthetic cell engineering , with a focus on protein complexes (Ndc80, Ska), microtubule end dynamics, actin-microtubule coordination, and the development of minimal in vitro systems to model cellular processes like polarity and coacervate formation. Spinoza Prize (2018) : One of the highest scientific awards in the Netherlands. Member of the KNAW board (2017) : Elected to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. She actively supervises PhD and master’s students, fostering the next generation of scientists in biophysics and synthetic biology. Her lab collaborates widely, including with groups at TU Delft, Leiden University, and international institutions like BIOCEV in Prague. The lab is deeply involved in cutting-edge projects such as building light-controllable DNA segregation systems and visualizing microtubule dynamics with liquid-phase EM. Her research is conducted at the intersection of physics, biology, and engineering, primarily within the Marileen Dogterom Lab at TU Delft, and through collaborative efforts with the Koenderink group (TU Delft) , the Schneider lab (Leiden University) , and the broader European Synthetic Cell initiative .
Loes Stevers is a researcher in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She earned her BSc and MSc in Biomedical Engineering at TU/e, specializing in Chemical Biology under Professor Luc Brunsveld. Her PhD work focused on developing therapeutic approaches for Cystic Fibrosis via 14-3-3 protein interactions. Education: BSc/MSc in Biomedical Engineering (TU/e, 2013) Collaborations: Kirill Alexandrov (University of Queensland), Bert Meijer, Patricia Dankers Research Interests: Her work centers on 14-3-3 proteins , protein-protein interactions , and their role in diseases like Cystic Fibrosis. She explores supramolecular chemistry and thermodynamic models to modulate these interactions for therapeutic applications, particularly in cell membrane dynamics and CFTR activity . Publications: Key trends include stabilizing 14-3-3 interactions with macrocycles (2022), thermodynamic modeling of multivalency (2018), and modulator development for protein interactions (2018). Her earlier work (2017) covers structural interfaces and biophysical analysis of 14-3-3 complexes. Labs/Teams: Worked in Brunsveld’s group (TU/e), Alexandrov’s lab (University of Queensland), and contributed to the spin-off Ambagon Therapeutics for cancer treatments
Dr. C.A.M. (Xander) de Haan serves as an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, where he leads research in the Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences within the Infectious Diseases & Immunology group. His work focuses on the molecular biology of influenza A virus, particularly the dynamic interactions between viral surface proteins and host sialoglycan receptors, with significant contributions to understanding viral tropism, pathogenesis, and zoonotic potential. With over two decades of experience studying coronaviruses and more recent expansion into paramyxovirus research, Dr. de Haan has established himself as a leading expert in viral entry mechanisms and host-pathogen interactions. Dr. de Haan's laboratory employs sophisticated methodologies including recombinant soluble glycoprotein mimics, solid phase binding and cleavage assays, and biolayer interferometry to characterize the functional balance between hemagglutinin and neuraminidase in influenza virus particles. His research program spans fundamental virology, translational applications, and practical disease control strategies, with particular emphasis on developing antiviral drugs and innovative vaccines against influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. His work on elephant herpesvirus addresses a critical conservation issue affecting captive elephant populations worldwide. Analysis of Dr. de Haan's recent publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on viral receptor binding specificity, the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase functional balance, and viral adaptation mechanisms. His research demonstrates increasing attention to the development of novel vaccine platforms including nanoparticle displays of viral proteins, the molecular basis of host adaptation in animal influenza viruses, and the application of advanced biophysical techniques to quantify virus-receptor interactions. This work bridges basic science with practical applications for pandemic preparedness and disease control. As an educator, Dr. de Haan teaches courses in Infection & Immunity and Virology to Bachelor and Master students in Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences programs. He actively mentors PhD students and serves on important national scientific committees including COGEM (The Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification) since April 2023 and the ZonMw Committee on Infectious Diseases and Resistance since February 2025, where his expertise informs national policy on critical issues related to genetic modification and infectious disease control.
Leo J. van IJzendoorn is an Associate Professor in Applied Physics and Science Education at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in Particle-Based Biosensing and Biophysics. He co-leads the Molecular Biosensing for Medical Diagnostics group, a joint initiative between Applied Physics and Biomedical Engineering departments. His work focuses on biomolecule detection in complex environments using magnetic and non-magnetic particles, with applications in point-of-care diagnostics and continuous biomarker monitoring. Academically, he holds a combined Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Physics from Leiden University (1979), followed by a Master’s (1981) and PhD in Physics (1985) in Laboratory Astrophysics. He transitioned to TU/e in 1991 as an Assistant Professor, becoming Associate Professor in 1997. He co-founded the Molecular Biosensing group in 2004 and is a core member of TU/e’s Institute for Complex Molecular Systems. His research integrates thermal particle motion, magnetic actuation, and optical microscopy to study biomolecular interactions. Recent work emphasizes real-time biosensing systems and nanomechanical analysis via magnetic tweezers. Over 212 publications and 3,943 citations highlight his contributions to biosensing technologies and nanotechnology. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his work has garnered media attention, including coverage of lab-on-a-chip advancements and particle binding innovations. He has supervised 81 students and actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations across chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering.
Dr. Robert de Vries is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery , Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences , Utrecht University. His research focuses on the receptor binding specificity of influenza A viruses and other glycan-binding pathogens, with particular interest in mechanistic understanding of viral-host interactions , chemo-enzymatic glycan synthesis , and development of glycan arrays for specificity assays. His work has revealed key mutations in zoonotic influenza viruses through collaborations with structural biology groups (Ian Wilson, Rob Woods), combining X-ray crystallography , glycan modeling , and multivalent binding assays . He has received prestigious grants including an ERC Starting Grant (2018) , NWO VENI Fellowship , and Rubicon Fellowship . Key Research Themes: Influenza A virus receptor specificity Rotavirus and avian coronavirus glycan interactions Antiviral glycomimetics development Host sialic acid diversity in pathogenesis Notable Discoveries: Molecular basis for avian-human receptor switching in H5/H7 viruses Role of sialylated glycolipids in SARS-CoV-2 entry Evolutionary constraints in hemagglutinin glycosylation Novel influenza receptors in livestock species Scientific Recognition: Beijerinck Premium (2019) ESWI Best Body of Work Award (2020) ERC Proof of Concept Grants (2022, 2024) Mizutani Foundation Grant (2023) NWO XL Grant (2024) He supervises PhD students and collaborates with international institutions like Scripps Research Institute and University of Twente , with recent publications in Nature , PNAS , and Cell journals.
Anja Palmans is a Full Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology within the College of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. As part of the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and the Supramolecular Chemistry & Catalysis group, her research focuses on biomimetic catalytic systems and supramolecular polymer dynamics. She holds a doctorate from TU/e (1997) and has held academic positions at ETH Zürich, DSM Research, and KIT. Her research explores two primary areas: (1) compartmentalized catalysis in water via polymer folding, reducing purification costs in organic synthesis, and (2) controlling supramolecular copolymerization exchange dynamics. Key work involves benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides (BTAs) as multifunctional building blocks for self-assembled nanostructures. Recent publications highlight her team's innovations in creating enzyme-like catalytic systems in water, tuning cooperativity in supramolecular polymers, and leveraging hydrogen bonding for hierarchical assembly. Collaborators include E.W. Meijer and C. Kulkarni, with applications in biomedical and nanotechnological fields. She teaches courses in molecular chemistry and contributes to annual RPK A lectures. Her group, ICMS Core, operates at the intersection of synthetic polymers and functional materials, with a focus on sustainability and bio-inspired design.
Dr. J. (Jan) Groenewold is an Assistant Professor at the Physical and Colloid Chemistry sub-department within Utrecht University's Faculty of Science . His research focuses on colloidal self-assembly , non-equilibrium systems , and soft matter physics , with notable contributions to understanding patchy particle interactions and colloidal gelation mechanisms. Research trends in his publications reveal expertise in: Colloidal self-organization through valence-controlled particles (2011) Electrokinetic phenomena in nonpolar solvents (2024-2025) Active droplet systems mimicking predator-prey dynamics (2020) Multi-scale assembly of ordered membranes (2018) Current projects explore interface deformation under electric fields and photoresponsive hydrogel locomotion systems. His work bridges fundamental physics with applied technologies in display systems and microfluidic devices.
Alexander Kros is a Full Professor and group leader of the Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry (SBC) group at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Netherlands. He has held academic positions at Leiden since 2002, progressing from Assistant to Associate and Full Professor in 2016. His research bridges supramolecular chemistry and biomaterials, with a focus on drug delivery and membrane fusion. His research interests lie at the intersection of supramolecular chemistry, biomaterials, and nanomedicine. He investigates the molecular mechanisms of membrane fusion using biomimetic model systems and applies this knowledge to design advanced drug delivery platforms. His work particularly emphasizes peptide-based systems, liposomes, and lipid nanoparticles for targeted and stimuli-responsive delivery, with applications in cancer therapy and gene delivery. He employs techniques in self-assembly, chemical biology, and nanotechnology to engineer smart nanocarriers. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in developing innovative, biologically inspired delivery systems. His group focuses on enhancing targeting (e.g., via protein corona analysis, Stab2 evasion), enabling controlled release (e.g., light-triggered fusion, dePEGylation), and improving transfection efficiency (e.g., using inverted lipid phases). The research spans from fundamental supramolecular design to in vivo validation using models like zebrafish. NWO XL (M€ 3), with NKI and AMC (2022) NWO XS (k€ 50) (2021) NWO Groot investering (M€ 2), co-applicant with TUE (2021) Cofund OLife (k€ 664) (2020) DSM Nutrional Products AG, Switzerland (k€ 103) (2019) PPS programma Immunologie “afweer in balans”, Consortium budget (M€ 5) (2018) KWF (k€ 420), with AMC (2018) TKI-programmatoeslag (k€ 35) (2017) NWA Origin fellowship (k€ 200) (2017) Huygens fellowship (k€ 200) (2017) M-ERA (k€ 613), with NIC and TUE (2016) Alexander Kros has supervised over 60 PhD students and 6 postdoctoral fellows since 2010, demonstrating a strong commitment to mentoring. He has secured substantial competitive funding, reflecting the impact and innovation of his research. His group, the SBC group, is a key part of the Fundamental Research in Chemical Biology division at LIC. He is also deeply involved in academic service, including chairing MSc exam committees, serving on the Scientific Council of LIC, and reviewing for major funding bodies like ERC and NWO, as well as top journals such as Nature Chemistry and JACS.
Nicholas B. Tito is a researcher at the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems at Eindhoven University of Technology , focusing on cross-disciplinary work involving nanotechnology, polymer science, and biomedical applications. His role as External Collaboration Coordinator suggests leadership in fostering research partnerships. Core Expertise : Nanoparticle assembly, liquid crystal networks, DNA nanostructures, and nanomedicine Research Themes : Self-assembly mechanisms, responsive materials, drug delivery optimization, and receptor interaction analysis Publication Trends : Recent work emphasizes thermotropic liquid crystal phase transitions for nanoparticle organization (2023), multivalent targeting in nanomedicine (2021), and theoretical modeling of electro-responsive polymer films (2020-2021). Collaborations span chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering domains. Impact Metrics : 620+ citations in repository data, with high-impact publications in ACS Nano , Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews , and Journal of the American Chemical Society . His 2021 Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews paper alone received 77 citations.
Dennis X Beringer is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Translational Immunology (CTI) at University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands, focusing on immunotherapy development for cancer treatment. He earned his PhD in structural biology from Utrecht University and later conducted postdoctoral research at Monash University, Australia, investigating T cell receptor (TCR) interactions in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Since 2016, he has led translational research on tumor-reactive γδTCRs, including the design of bispecific T cell engagers (GABs).
