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 tackle many medical challenges. Single-molecule approaches have greatly advanced our understanding of DNA processes in academic research, but traditional single-molecule […]
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. Early diagnosis of cancer is crucial for increasing survival rates and reducing treatment costs. Based on our patented detection concept, we will develop disposable, inexpensive optical biosensors for the label-free […]
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 detection of diseases is key to improving healthcare, but current diagnostic tests often lack precision, leading to delays, false alarms, and higher healthcare costs. Our innovative solution uses advanced nanotechnology and CRISPR—a cutting-edge molecular tool—to create ultra-sensitive tests that detect tiny traces of disease markers at very early stages. These tests are […]
Glow-in-the-dark molecular diagnostics

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a versatile and sensitive diagnostic method that is the golden standard for DNA and RNA detection. However, qPCR requires expensive equipment, expert technicians and dedicated laboratory facilities, all leading to test times of multiple hours. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the strength of qPCR for infectious disease detection (ease of development, […]
Next generation formulations for RNA

Liporyx is developing a bioinspired lipid-like polymer technology to safely and specifically deliver nucleic acid therapeutics to diverse cell types in the body. Most RNA therapeutics do not traverse the body well and are typically removed from circulation by the liver, limiting their effectiveness for many diseases. A highly versatile drug delivery system lies at […]