Internships

We are always looking for talented bachelor and master students who are interested in origins of life, synthetic cells, coacervates, physical biology, big data and machine learning or multi-omics analysis methods, who like to work in an interdisciplinary cutting-edge environment. If you are interested in joining, please contact us here, or approach one of the members of the group directly.

Photoactive inhibitors of enzymes affecting pH

We aim to create artificial enzymatic networks that mimic some of the properties of living systems. The range of complex behaviours of our networks includes oscillations, adaptation, bistability and photocontrol. Photocontrol of these networks can be achieved via photoactive inhibitors: small molecule inhibitors containing a photoactive group, that can isomerize in response to irradiation with light. We have hands-on experience in synthesis of photoactive molecules of azobenzene and spiropyran classes, as well as using them to control networks. In this project, we aim to synthesize and characterize a series of photoswitchable inhibitors for enzymes affecting pH, such as urease. Converting urea to ammonium carbonate, this enzyme produces rise in pH, that can regulate the activity of other enzymes. With this, we will be able to use patterns of light as mean of control over virtually any enzyme. The internee will apply organic synthesis skills to obtain a series of molecules, that will be spectroscopically characterized and studied as a component of enzymatic networks in flow.

Keywords: Organic synthesis, Physical chemistry, Flow chemistry, Protein chemistry, Reaction networks, Spectroscopy

Supervisors: Nikita Ivanov, Rianne Haije

Studying cellular signaling in dynamic environments with single cell/omics techniques

The aim of this project is to further our understanding of how biochemical information flows through cells upon external, dynamic stimulation. We study cellular signaling networks with phospho-specific flow cytometry or immunodetection by sequencing techniques. You will work on B-cell signaling activation upon different types of stimuli and inhibitors in both healthy and diseased cell models.

Keywords Signaling, Molecular Biology, Phospho-flow Cytometry, Immunodetection by sequencing, Omics, Data analysis

Supervisor Melde Witmond

Cell-free expression systems based on minimal bacterial cells

In vitro systems that perform transcription and translation (cell-free expression systems) are necessary for building a synthetic cell. In partnership with the J. Craig Venter Institute (La Jolla, USA), we are developing cell-free expression systems based on the minimal bacterium JCVI-syn3A. We are using two different approaches: (i) cell lysate-based systems and (ii) PURE-based systems (protein synthesis using recombinant elements).

Keywords Mycoplasma, JCVI-syn3A, cell lysate, PURE, minimal cell, cell-free expression system.

Deadlines Master’s students should apply before 01-10-2023, no deadline for bachelor students.

Supervisor Andrei Sakai

Environmental dynamics as a driving force for the organization of chemical reaction networks

The network of metabolic reactions in Life is postulated to find its origin in prebiotic waters, in the absence of sophisticated enzymes or genetic inheritance. We hypothesize environmental dynamics were a fundamental driving force for the organization of chemical reaction networks. In this project, you will simulate a changing environment by imposing temporal patterns on the network via modulation of the inflow profile of catalyst or feedstock molecules.

Keywords Origin of life, Chemical reaction networks, Flow chemistry, Python modelling, HPLC, GC-MS, Python, Machine learning

Supervisor Peer van Duppen

Constructing a glucose dependent neuron

In this project you will be working on building an artificial neuron, the smallest unit of a neural network, making use of enzymes and photoprotected glucose. It will be your job to synthesize a photoprotected glucose, to measure the rate constants and to make a model of the neuron itself.

Keywords Molecular computing, Carbohydrate synthesis, Enzymes, Neuron

Supervisor Jeroen van de Wiel

Exploring chemotypic diversity in prebiotic reaction networks.

The self-organisation of reaction pathways from abiotic precursors was a vital component in the transition from inanimate to animate matter. In this project, we wish to understand the principles for how abiotic environments shaped the development of modern biochemical pathways. You will explore the incorporation of redox reactions and alpha-ketoacids into the formose reaction.

Keywords Prebiotic chemistry, Reaction networks, Kinetics, Data analysis, Air sensitive handling, HPLC, GC-MS, Machine learning methods

Supervisor Will Robinson, Thijs de Jong