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The research in this division is based on the molecular approach of biomedical engineering problems: designing, synthesizing, characterizing and applying new molecules or materials for various subjects, e.g. drug delivery systems, imaging (MRI), tissue engineered heart valves, molecular imaging, the molecular basis for disease processes and repair, and biomaterials for vascular replacement.
The research is performed in Eindhoven and Maastricht in various groups: 

People

• Protein Engineering and Chemical Biology [prof. Bert Meijer, dr.ir. Marcel van Genderen, dr. Maarten Merkx]

Our research interest is in the engineering of new proteins with attractive biomedical properties (e.g. fluorescent sensor proteins for molecular imaging) and the interaction between biological macromolecules (proteins, peptides) and synthetic materials. In this research line we use techniques and concepts from biochemistry, organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and protein engineering to arrive at hybrid molecules and molecular systems with unique biomedical properties. Important concepts are the use of multivalency to enhance the affinity and specificity of biomolecular interactions and the use of dynamic, noncovalent interactions to build complex biomolecular systems. Dendrimers are studied as multivalent scaffolds for peptide and protein display, and used as modular systems in the development of imaging probes (MRI, fluorescence). Protein engineering has been introduced to arrive at protein-based FRET sensors for the intracellular imaging of transition metal ions. Also multivalent proteins are combined with targeting and to get a detailed understanding of protein-peptide interactions. Finally, phage-display is used to search with for active peptides in biomaterials and molecular imaging. Many of the techniques we use are standard molecular biology techniques (recombinant protein expression, cloning of fusion proteins, yeast-2-hybrid system, phage-display etc.), but we apply them to problems at the interface between biology/medicine and chemistry/material sciences. The goal of all projects in our group is to both develop a fundamental molecular understanding and apply this knowledge to develop new tools and materials for biomedical research. 
Clinical Chemistry [Prof. Huib Vader]

The Chemical Biology group is a new established researchgroup within the department BME. Prof.dr.ir. Luc Brunsveld which is started in 2008.
The research deals with chemical biology approaches to study protein-protein interactions. Two general lines are being followed: 1) Supramolecular Architectures are being pursued as instruments to modulate protein-protein interactions and 2) the Nuclear Receptor – Cofactor interaction is being targeted as a model ‘drugable’ protein-protein interaction.

 

Contact person:  prof.dr. Klaas Nicolaij.

Biomedical NMR  The research and teaching program of the BioMedical NMR group is aimed at the development and use of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) techniques. MRI and MRS offer exciting possibilities for the investigation of a range of structural, functional and metabolic parameters in living systems. MRI and MRS are non-invasive and therefore ideally suited for repeated studies, in which changes in tissues are followed over time. This non-invasiveness and the richness of the information that is obtained explain the important role of MR in biological and biomedical research. Not surprisingly, MR has also rapidly gained an important position in human healthcare since its first arrival in medical centers in the late 1980’s.

The central aim of our research program is to push the limits of biomedical MR. New techniques are developed and validated by studies on biological preparations in vitro and animal models in vivo, and where possible applied in clinical human research. The technology developments in our group are inspired by important biomedical and healthcare problems: (a) skeletal muscle disorders, especially type 2 diabetes and decubitus; (b) cardiovascular disorders, including atherosclerosis and cardiac infarction; (c) molecular imaging of disease biomarkers and the development of target-specific contrast agents. These themes were chosen because: (a) diseases of skeletal muscle and the cardiovascular system have a major socio-economic impact; (b) MR has the potential to greatly improve the diagnosis and management of these disorders; (c) novel MRI protocols combined with targeted contrast agents can strongly enhance the specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic MRI.

Vital Imaging Unit  In the Vital Imaging Unit [VIU], the UM groups of prof. Frans Ramaekers, dr Johan Heemskerk and dr. Marc van Zandvoort (prof. Dick Slaaf) collaborate [CARIM / BME].  Researchers from various backgrounds have joined in this unit because they share a common interest in microscopy techniques applied to visualize processes that take place in  living cells and tissues, on a molecular level. Over the years, the VIU has acquired an impressive number of microscopy set-ups: several intravital video microscopes [equipped for bright field and fluorescence], a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope [CLSM], a Nipkow scanning disk confocal microscope, a digital microscope with off-line image restoration, a Fluorescence Imaging and Micro photometric System [FIMS],  and an upright  Two-Photon  Laser Scanning Microscopy [TPLSM]. The TPLSM  allows  for experiments under optimal conditions in vivo as well as in vitro and is equipped with a Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging  module   [FLI M ].  Recently, an ultrafast two-photon/confocal scanning microscope has been obtained. This unique set-up allows in vivo imaging of fast processes deep in tissues. The availability of all these vital imaging facilities within one building is unique.  

webmaster MBEMI:  dr.ir. Marcel van Genderen.