Nanobiotechnology, Biophysics and Bioengineering

Research

Specific research areas represented in the NanoBio Program include molecular, membrane, and cell biophysics, single molecule techniques, micro- and nanofluidics, cell micro-manipulation, high-end imaging, nanophotonics, bioinformatics, biomaterials, polymer science, and nanotechnology. The field of nanosciences is approached from the different disciplines as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The particular aspect of technology development for cell and tissue analysis and manipulation closely links the NanoBio Program to the other two PhD Programs of the DIGS-BB.

Research in the NanoBio Program focusses on

• Biomolecular motors;
• Combination of nanotechnological systems as carbon nanotubes or smart polymers with biomolecules or complex biological systems;
• "Lab-on-a-chip" approaches for applications in the biomedical field;
• Development of imaging and single molecule optical techniques for cell and tissue analysis and manipulation;
• Nanometer single particle tracking in 3D or spatially resolved multi-colour Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS);
• Development of novel bio-functionalized nano-labels and sensors for probing molecular and cellular properties;
• Development of bioactive polymer matrices and artificial cell scaffolds for biomedical applications, including the regeneration of different tissues.

Research fields

• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Bioengineering
• Polymer Science
• Systems Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Biomaterials

Training

The NanoBio Program will provide interdisciplinary training and research opportunities for University Graduates who wish to work towards a PhD in the fields of Biophysics, Bioengineering, or Nano(bio)technology. The underlying concept is to combine a molecular approach towards biology with cutting edge nanotechnology. One strategy is to make use of the wide variety of molecular functions provided by nature’s “nanomachines” such as proteins and enzymes, as a basis for an innovative and new molecular-based nanobiotechnology. Read more.....

Faculty