Yesterday (7 February, 2022) Roel Maas presented his and Bob van Sluijs’ work about a new pipeline for the characterization of cell-free synthetic genetic networks at the Build a Cell seminar series. In this pipeline a combination of microfluidics, optimal experimental design and database fitting is used to tackle the modularity problem in forward engineering of synthetic genetic networks.
Interested and want to know more? You can rewatch the seminar here.
Yesterday (27 January, 2022) Erik van Buijtenen successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Towards multiomic single-cell analysis of immune cells”.
Congratulations Dr. Erik!
Leonardo obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in 2018 and his Master’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology in 2021 at University of Bologna, as a member of Collegio Superiore. For his Master thesis, he worked for one year in the group of Bacterial Genetics at Wageningen University & Research, focusing on CRISPR/Cas9, DNA repair mechanisms and alternative sigma factors. In late 2021, he started his PhD in the Huck group as part of the BaSyC research programme (Building a Synthetic Cell). His project focuses on gene expression and on how this is affected by different types of compartments and physical constraints. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, drums, sports and traveling.
Welcome Leonardo to the group!
Thijs de Jong got his Master degree in Chemistry of Life at the Radboud University in 2021, during which he started in the Huck group for an internship. After his Master’s he is now continuing in the same lab as a PhD candidate. Thijs is interested in studying how chemical systems can be used to process information, currently he is researching how the complex chemistry in the prebiotic formose reaction could be used for reservoir computing. Outside of the lab he enjoys cooking, reading, hiking and he is a volunteer at Scouting.
Welcome to the group!
The Late Night Conference is back in 2022! As always, you will also be able to get involved at home with our trademark, Wilhelm Huck-hosted, live streaming action. Now, we’re exploring ‘Artificial Life’. We’ve got this covered from every angle. Synthetic cells, artificial intelligence and responsive robots.
We are excited to introduce the first guest – Hans Clevers.
Hans Clevers
Professor of Molecular Genetics, Utrecht University
Hans Clevers’ research origins began in studying the stem-cells of the intestines. These cells are especially relevant for the development of diseases, such as cancer. Clevers’ and his team identified the intestinal stem-cells involved in the renewal of the outermost layer of the organ, called epithelium, and with this, managed to grow these cells into artificial mini-intestines, so called organoids. These organoids are useful research tools for studying a variety of phenomena – from basic developmental and cell biology to toxicology, as well as hereditary diseases, and cancer.
Watch the episode live on YouTube Thursday 6 January 2022, 20.00-21.00 CET.
There is a yearly tradition to exchange socks and write poems during The Secret Socks Santa game every December in our Physical Organic Chemistry department. We also have to guess who was our Secret Santa after carefully reading the poem. This makes the activity a really fun game!
Peer van Duppen gave a presentation in NWO CHAINS 2021 online conference, which is the annual Dutch Chemistry conference. Peer talked about temporal environmental patterns as driving force for self-organization in the formose reaction. Great work!
Congratulations to Peter van Dijk, who was awarded a Radboud University Bronze Medal! This Medal is awarded to staff members of Radboud University for their exceptional personal commitment and involvement. Peter van Dijk currently works as a prevention officer at the IMM and he started as an instrument maker and glass blower at the Faculty of Science already 50 years ago!
You can read more about the medal here.
And you can watch the 98th Radboud University Dies Natalis celebration during which the medal was awarded here.
Photos taken from the 98th Radboud University Dies Natalis celebration video on YouTube with a permission from Radboud University.
Sphere Fluidics, a company which developed single cell analysis system and was co-founded by Wilhelm Huck, closed a $40 million investment round today. It was announced that Sofinnova Partners and Redmile Group were leading the round. The funding will be used for the expansion of the Company’s international sales activities, improving customer’s support and also the expansion of research and development programs.
Congratulations to Wilhelm Huck and the whole Sphere Fluidics team!
The official press release can be found here: https://spherefluidics.com/sphere-fluidics-closes-a-40-million-funding-round-led-by-sofinnova-partners-and-redmile-group/
Congratulations Dr. Helwig!
Today (25 October, 2021) Britta Helwig successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled “From Enzymatic Reaction Networks Towards Synthetic Metabolic Pathways.”
Great work Britta! Good luck to your future career!
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