Beyond the already impressive functional diversity of natural proteins
Our group operates at the interface of chemical biology and synthetic biology. Combining protein engineering and DNA nanotechnology, we develop intelligent biomolecular sensors and switches for applications in intracellular imaging, optogenetics, point-of-care diagnostics and antibody-based therapies. An important research theme is to develop generic engineering concepts for the development of protein-based switches, which include fluorescent sensors for intracellular imaging of metal ions, photo-switchable proteins, and protein-based sensors for antibody detection and actuation. We have an active policy of sharing our protein building blocks by depositing our plasmids to AddGene and promote their use by writing dedicated protocols and tutorial reviews. In education, our main goal is to train bachelor, masters and PhD students to become creative biomolecular engineers and independent critical scientists.
Research Lines
Meet some of our Researchers
Recent Publications
Our most recent peer reviewed publications
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Turning Antibodies into Ratiometric Bioluminescent Sensors for Competition-Based Homogeneous Immunoassays
ACS Sensors (2024) -
Bioluminescent Intercalating Dyes for Ratiometric Nucleic Acid Detection
ACS Chemical Biology (2024) -
Optimization of the STARlet workflow for semi-automatic SARS-CoV-2 screening of swabs and deep respiratory materials using the RealAccurate Quadruplex SARS-CoV-2 PCR kit and Allplex SARS-CoV-2 PCR kit
Microbiology Spectrum (2024) -
Bioluminescent detection of viral surface proteins using branched multivalent protein switches
RSC Chemical Biology (2024) -
A Generic Antibody-Blocking Protein That Enables pH-Switchable Activation of Antibody Activity
ACS Chemical Biology (2024)
Student opportunities
The Protein Engineering group provides courses and projects in the bachelor's and master's program.
Contact
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Visiting address
Secretary Tanja Vermaas - VerhaagGroene Loper, Building 14, Helix (room STO 3.39)5612 AP EindhovenNetherlands -
Visiting address
Secretary Tanja Vermaas - VerhaagGroene Loper, Building 14, Helix (room STO 3.39)5612 AP EindhovenNetherlands -
Postal address
Department of Biomedical EngineeringP.O. Box 5135600 MB EindhovenNetherlands -
Postal address
Department of Biomedical EngineeringP.O. Box 5135600 MB EindhovenNetherlands -
Secretarya.m.j.verhaag@ tue.nl