[Page is still under construction!] Below you will find (for now) some of the research groups where you could do an internship.
Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
Professor: Albert Heck
Interest area: Massa spectrometrie
Website: https://www.hecklab.com/
The study of all proteins that form the basis of life is called proteomics and is central to our research group Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics. The technique applied to research on the proteome, as the name of the research group suggests, is Mass Spectrometry (MS). Mass spectrometry is a technique that allows the characterisation of molecules in cells by breaking down molecules into ions and determining the mass-to-charge ratio. Do not be afraid of the complex theory behind the operation of this mechanism, many people in our research group do not deal with this on a daily basis. By using MS, interacting proteins and other biomolecules in cells can be identified. There are various specialisations within the research group and there is room for bachelor and master students who want to do an internship. The second year course Mass Spectrometry and Analysis gives a good introduction to our research area. Check out the website https://www.hecklab.com for more information about the people within the research group and current published articles.
Cellular Protein Chemistry
Professor: Stefan Rüdiger, Ineke Braakman
Interest area: Controlling protein damage, Protein Folding in the ER
Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/cellular-protein-chemistry
The section of Cellular Protein Chemistry is investigating how proteins in cells can reach their correct folding state, how helper proteins called chaperones help with this (Prof. Ineke Braakman and Dr. Peter van der Sluijs) and how these chaperones work exactly (Dr. Stefan Rüdiger). It uses, among other things, radioactive pulse chase and microscopic techniques to measure the kinetics of folding and transport processes of medically relevant model proteins, namely the envelope proteins of influenza and HIV virus, the LDL receptor (cholesterol uptake), and CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis), to be unraveled in living cells. To investigate how Hsp90 assists in the folding of substrate proteins, aggregation tests and fluorescence measurements are used to determine where and how the interaction takes place between the two. The research is not simple, but it is very challenging. If you want to know more, feel free to visit the east wing of the Kruyt building on the seventh floor.
Crystal and Structural Chemistry
Professor: Piet Gros, Eric Huizinga
Interest area: Protein Crystallography
Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/crystal-and-structural-chemistry
Within the Crystal and Structural Chemistry group, the 3-dimensional structure of proteins and protein complexes is studied with a focus on membrane-related and biomedical relevant processes. The group is divided into various subgroups with specific research themes such as the complement system (Piet Gros), blood clotting (Eric Huizinga) and communication between Glia cells and neurons (Bert Janssen), see the website for further subgroups. Molecular recognition and communication between multi-modular protein complexes play a major role in all these processes. To understand these processes, insight into the 3D structure of the protein complexes involved is crucial; it gives us an insight into the molecular interactions involved in recognition, provides insight into structural changes and leads to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms. The methods used for 3D structure elucidation are: protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. The lab also consists of protein purifications and biochemical and biophysical analyses to determine protein quality, stability, functionality and protein interactions.
NMR spectroscopy
Professor: Marc Baldus, Alexandre Bonvien
Interest area: NMR spectroscopy
Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/nmr
Many students think NMR spectroscopy is complicated research. The theory behind NMR is indeed tricky, but most of us are not concerned with it on a daily basis. NMR spectroscopy is a technique for obtaining structural biological information. In the NMR spectroscopy research group, there are several divisions engaged in their own ongoing research. The research in the group of Dr. Hugo van Ingen focuses on the molecular basis of chromatin function, essential for the regulation of gene expression, replication and DNA damage repair. Marc Baldus employees conduct research on membrane proteins and complexes, but also on materials such as catalysts. Markus Weingarth’s group is working on peptides that prove very effective against multi-resistant bacteria, because of a unique affinity mechanism they run a very small chance of developing resistance. The staff of Prof. Alexandre Bonvin are, among others, working on the Haddock program that translates structural biological information (obtained by NMR) into models of biomolecular complexes. So very varied projects, but all very interesting.
Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics
Professor: Antoinette Killian, Eefjan Breukink, Toon de Kroon
Interest area: Membranes
Website: http://mbb.science.uu.nl/
The research of the Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics research group focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind processes involving biological membranes. Interactions between membrane proteins and lipids are essential for membrane biogenesis, membrane organisation and membrane function. The aim of the research is to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane assembly, organisation, homeostasis and function, with special emphasis on the lipid-protein interactions involved. Biophysical techniques used in this study include fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, preparation of model membranes, calorimetry (DSC, ITC), solid state NMR, thin layer chromatography, and mass spectrometry. These techniques are used in conjunction with peptide and protein synthesis/expression/purification, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, use of microarrays, biomembrane isolation and treatment methods.
Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Professor: Friedrich Förster, Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
Interest area: Structural Biology, Membrane Fusion
Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/cryo-em
Within the Cryo-Electron Microscopy research group, they are interested in the molecular organisation of biochemical processes and biomolecules within the cell. Research into these processes is done by using cryo-electron microscopy (EM). Cryo-EM is a technique that allows you to look at extreme magnifications of cells and its components, in which the sample (a biomolecular complex) is cooled to cryogenic temperatures in an aqueous environment. Cryo-EM makes it possible to make three-dimensional images of the biomolecular complexes to be studied in physiological conditions at extremely high resolution! For internships, there are opportunities for you to gain knowledge and training on protein expression and purification, cell cultures, molecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy/Tomography, Image processing and programming!
Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
Professor: Geert Jan Boons
Interest area: Drug research
Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/chemical-biology-and-drug-discovery
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Theoretical biology and bioinformatics
Proffessor: –
Interest area: –
Website: https://bioinformatics.bio.uu.nl/
The new theoretical techniques applied in the Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics research group make it increasingly possible to study complex biological systems (consisting of interactive building blocks such as molecules, cells and organisms). The research group is divided into a Theoretical biology unit (led by Rob de Boer) and a Bioinformatics unit (led by Berend Snel), each with its own biological focus. What the research groups have in common is that they use computer biological techniques ranging from bioinformatics and mathematical modeling to computer simulation. These techniques are used, for example, for the study of the immune system, virus infections, evolutionary developments, genetic networks and genome evolution. The first-year biology course Systems Biology provides a good introduction to the role of theoretical research in biology. If this appeals to you, and you are interested in an internship, you can read further at http://tbb.bio.uu.nl for further information and an overview of the research that all members in our research group are conducting.
Developmental Biology
Professor: –
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Website: http://web.science.uu.nl/developmentalbiology/
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Cellular Dynamics
Professor: Anna Akhmanova
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This research group falls under the research division “Cell biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics” (often abbreviated as Cell Biology), here they use other actions to arrange a thesis internship, read that here. In the Cellular Dynamics research group, they study the organisation of the cytoskeleton and various transport processes in the cell, which contribute to cell polarisation, differentiation, vertebrate development and diseases. There is a great focus on research into the microtubule cytoskeleton, for example which proteins interact with the two ends of the microtubules. During this research, high-resolution live-cell imaging and quantitative analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics and different methods that can identify protein-protein interactions (in vitro binding studies, pull-down assays, yeast-two hybrid screens and protein mass spectrometry) are used. identification). For example, the microtubule study uses Plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs), a group of factors that interact specifically with the growing end of microtubules. For more examples of current research; see the website.
Molecular Neuroscience
Professor: Casper Hoogenraad
Interest area: –
Website: –
This research group falls under the research division “Cell biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics” (often abbreviated to Cell Biology), here they use other actions to arrange a thesis internship, read that here.
Molecular Oncology
Professor: Paul van Bergen en Henegouwen
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Theoretical Biophysics
Professor: Florian Berger
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Neuronal Organelle Dynamics
Professor: Ginny Farías
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Biophysics
Professor: Lukas Kapitein
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Axonal Signalling
Professor: Maarten Kole
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Synapse organization
Professor: Harold MacGillavry
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Molecular Targeted Therapies
Professor: Sabrina Oliveira
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Cellular Electron Miroscopy
Professor: Jan Andries Post
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Synaptic Physiology
Professor: Corette Wierenga
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