The research in the Biosyn-group is focused on the design, synthesis and function of the four major types of biomolecules: nucleic acids, carbohydrates, peptides and lipids and hybrid structures thereof. These biomolecules and their derivatives are used in drug discovery and chemical biology, to develop synthetic methodology or as an inspiration for mimetic design.

Research within our group revolves around the atomic structures of large bio-molecules and their complexes.

The research aim of the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis group is to probe and understand chemical reactions on well-defined, mostly single crystalline, surfaces at the molecular level. The group combines state-of-the-art experimental setups to study surface catalytic reactions using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, both at the metal-uhv and metal-liquid interface, with computational techniques based on density functional theory and dynamic Monte Carlo simulations.

The major theme involves chemistry taking place within the coordination sphere of metal ions. Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and applications such as in materials, catalysis and medicine are studied. The project is divided into four main lines, with a focus on, respectively: molecular materials, homogeneous catalysis, biomimetics and metal-antitumor chemistry.

Our research focuses on the morphology and antibiotic production of the exciting filamentous soil bacterium Streptomyces. The research is a lively mix of fundamental and applied research, which is reflected in our papers and patents. We are a dynamic and growing research group with many national and international collaborations.

The Molecular Genetics group is headed by prof. dr. Jaap Brouwer and is involved in fundamental research related to the structure, regulation and maintenance of the genetic material. Various organisms ranging from the bacteria Escherichia coli or Streptomyces, to the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human/aninmal cells are analysed. Both DNA and RNA related processes are studied.

The research is aimed at understanding protein structure and function. Particular interests comprise protein-protein interactions & enzyme function (Prof. Ubbink), and drug discovery technologies (Dr. Siegal).

The section houses equipment for recombinant protein production and a variety biophysical characterisation methods and hosts the spin-out company ZoBio.

The research in the soft matter chemistry group concerns both theoretical fundamentals and applications of supramolecular chemistry and chemical bio-nanotechnology. Research topics are: (a) model systems for lipid membrane fusion inspired by SNARE proteins, (b) drug delivery systems based on hydrogels and silica nanoparticles, and (c) models for protein-membrane complexes in photosynthesis.

The long term goal of our group is to reach understanding of structure, dynamics and functional mechanisms of membrane proteins and self-organized biological assemblies and to translate this knowledge into new concepts for nano-devices, medicine, and new materials of technical importance.

The main goal of the Theoretical Chemistry group, is to achieve the ability to predict the outcome of chemical reactions involving hydrogen from first principles. This goal is important in almost all fields of chemistry and in many fields of physics.