FunBluez

Within the FunBLueZ project we want to explore the commercial potential of fungal colourant for application in solar cells. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on sustainable, natural product-derived materials for organic electronics. At MNEXT Avans we have obtained a fungal colourant that demonstrates promising properties as an organic semiconductor, with notable charge carrier […]

Beyond Bioplastic

Ever thought your old bioplastic cup or t-shirt could be part of something bigger? Right now, most biodegradable plastics end up burned or composted, releasing CO2 into the air and missing their chance to shine. But, this bioplastic waste could become the start of something new—thanks to some incredible bacteria! At Wageningen University, we’ve developed […]

NanoLoom

Molecules (proteins) that bind to DNA in our cells play a crucial role in viral and microbial infections, rare diseases, and cancer: developing drugs that interfere with the function of these proteins would allow us to tackle many medical challenges. Single-molecule approaches have greatly advanced our understanding of DNA processes in academic research, but traditional […]

Shikimax

SHIKIMAX addresses the critical need for sustainability in the chemical industry, particularly in the production of aromatic compounds found in everyday products, from food additives to polymers. Traditional production methods of aromatics rely heavily on fossil fuels, resulting in substantial greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. In response, we harness advanced metabolic engineering to develop […]

Alzheimer’s proteomics for disease diagnosis and patient stratification

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a worldwide problem that does not yet have a clear solution. Although new treatments are starting to emerge, they do not work for every patient. The reason is likely individual difference in the specific, molecular, causes of AD. In our project, we will explore an innovative method to classify AD patients […]

Leiden Analytics

Technologies to help us understand the biology underlying drug response are in high demand, as many patients do not respond to treatments. Identifying potential responders is particularly important in modern cancer care, where therapies are potentially very effective yet extremely expensive. There is need of more in-depth understanding of which rare cell populations, (e.g. inside […]

TRITON-Disposable PoP tests for early detection of lung cancer

With around 1.8 million new cases per year, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. We are developing disposable, inexpensive optical biosensors for label-free detection of cancer biomarkers. Our main value proposition is to improve early lung cancer diagnosis with rapid, accessible, and cost-effective diagnostic […]

Huntington biomarker detection in tears

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, ultimately lethal, genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the gene coding for the protein mutant Huntingtin (mHTT). Despite numerous genetic intervention trials, there are currently no treatments that can slow down HD’s progression. To develop new treatments it is important to monitor disease progression and the effectivity of […]

Giant Extracellular Vesicles (GEVs)

Imagine if we could tell patients if they are cancer-free, how advanced it is, or which drugs work best for their treatment, all by analyzing a blood or urine sample. Our technology does precisely that. It functionally identifies unique molecules in tiny bubble-like containers called extracellular vesicles that come from diseased cells. These molecules act […]

lab-on-a-particle CRISPR detection

Accurate and early disease detection is key to improving healthcare, but current diagnostic tests often lack precision, leading to delays, false alarms, and higher healthcare costs. Our innovative solution offers the main benefit of substantially improving diagnostic accuracy at the earliest stages, using advanced nanotechnology and CRISPR to develop ultra-sensitive tests that detect trace levels […]