Speakers
Eefjan Breuninks
“Can fungi provide us with more antibiotics besides penicillin?”
Short bio
Eefjan Breukink received his PhD (in 1994) at Utrecht University. After post-doctoral research at Oxford University with Prof. A. Watts, he returned to Utrecht University, and joined the Department of Biochemistry of Membranes of the Utrecht University faculty of Chemistry first as post-doc and since 2003 as faculty member where he became an associated professor in 2013 and a full professor in Microbial Membranes and Antibiotics in 2023. His research focuses on the bacterial cell wall synthesis pathway, determination of the mode of action of (membrane-active) antibiotics and on the discovery of novel antibiotics. He (co-)authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and became an honorary Professor of the Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Microbiotechnology Research of China in 2014. From 2014-2017 he was the Director of Education and Director of the Bachelor Chemistry program. He now heads the Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics group of Utrecht University.
Abstract
Novel antibiotics are urgently needed in our fight against the multi resistant bacteria. Yet, in the past decades very few novel antibiotics with novel structures and mechanisms of action have been introduced in the clinic. In collaboration with the Westerdijk Institute for Fungal Biodiversity, we are using a target based approach to screen for novel antibiotics in fungal extracts. The target of choice is the essential precursor in the bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis pathway, Lipid II. I will discuss our latest, unpublished, results as well as our frustrations on these efforts.
Marc Falandt MSc
Dynamic by Design: Advancing biomaterial development to mimic native tissues in 3D and 4D volumetric biofabrication
Short bio
I am a Dutch synthetic chemist from Rotterdam; and have a MSc in chemistry, with a specialisation in synthetic organic chemistry and research from the university of Leiden. I worked on the design of various stimuli responsive supramolecular polymers for hydrogel applications. In 2021 I started my PhD in Biofabrication and Regenerative Medicine. My project is focused on the development of new materials for the volumetric bioprinting process and its applications. With the aim to build physiological-scale cell-laden constructs with these new materials replicating human functionality.
Abstract
In this talk, I will present the latest research in volumetric bioprinting, highlighting the critical importance of 3D control and the spatial distribution of bioactive compounds. Biomaterial development is a cornerstone of biofabrication, as different cell types require distinct mechanical environments and bioactive cues to support their growth and function. Most biofabrication methods do not allow for this precise spatial control of certain bioactive compounds in an already printed construct. With volumetric photografting it is possible to provide this control in a 3D system with high accuracy. I will discuss recent advancements in achieving spatiotemporal control of growth factors to direct cellular behavior within 3D bioprinted constructs. Besides spatiotemporal control, it is essential that bioprinted materials not only maintain high shape fidelity but also facilitate cellular migration and proliferation. I will show a novel biomaterial which enables cell migration without compromising structural integrity of the printed construct. These findings pave the way for more accurate tissue models, bringing the field of biofabrication closer to replicating native tissue environments and enhancing current biological models.
Florian Ort
How do we develop chemistry that is sustainable, robust and elegant?
Short bio
During my Master's in Molecular Chemistry, specializing in organic synthesis and flow chemistry, this question became my main motivation for research. Currently, as a PhD Student, I explore how mechanical forces drive chemical reactions and how we can apply this to improve synthesis and chemical processes. After earning my Master’s degree in Molecular Chemistry (cum laude) at the Radboud University in 2022, I worked as a research scientist in the group of Prof. Roeland Nolte. I now conduct my research in the Department of Synthetic Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Floris Rutjes and Dr. Daniël Blanco.
Maarten van Bommel
Profiling Degradation Pathways in Art Objects (and more!)
Short bio
Prof. van Bommel is professor of conservation science at the University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Science, Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Analytical Sciences and Faculty of Humanities, department of Art & Culture, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage. By this a unique position at two faculties a bridge is established between science and conservation & restoration.
His main research focuses on the characterization and behaviour of organic colourants, i.e. dyes and pigments applying in artifacts dating from prehistory up to present. He has been awarded several national and international grants and published over 125 articles, chapters and books.
Abstract
The identification of materials in artworks is highly challenging due to the wide variety of compounds present and their complex degradation over time. Organic colourants, used since prehistoric times, are especially problematic because they degrade when exposed to UV/Vis irradiation, creating many degradation products. Understanding degradation processes is crucial, but studying light-induced degradation (LID) is difficult due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of the materials and the environmental factors that affect them. Current methods for studying LID are time-consuming, prone to errors, and lack sufficient chemical insights, leading to poor degradation prediction models.
A new approach using liquid-core waveguide (LCW) technology coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. This fully automated system allows for the direct introduction of samples into the LCW, however, samples can be also introduced after LC separation. The system exposes samples to irradiation and then analyse the degradation products through HPLC. A recycling method has been introduced to further study degradation by reintroducing specific products into the system. This approach can be applied to art research, pharmaceuticals, food, and even water purification.
Before we dive into the topic mentioned above, a short introduction will be given presenting typical (analytical) challenges in conservation research.
