Rational design of ligands to optimize the cellular uptake of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used to efficiently deliver drugs into diseased cells. They are engineered from rigid or soft platforms of various shapes and sizes, and decorated with ligands to improve water solubility, avoid aggregation and ensure cell-targeting specificity. This aim of this project is to rationally design ligands for metal nanoparticles, probe their specificity via computer simulations and validate them in an experimental setup. This project is meant for students who have both a theoretical and an experimental interest.

The computational research will be carried out in the group of Dr. Ioana M. Ilie and the experimental research will be carried out in the group of Prof. Hong Zhang at HIMS.

Interested? Submit a letter of motivation and CV to Dr. Ioana M. ILIE as a single PDF document.

 

Exploring the interactions of nanoparticles with the membrane

Nanoparticles (NPs) are used to efficiently deliver drugs into diseased cells. A rate limiting step in the successful transport of NPs into the target cell is the interaction with the membrane. The aim of this project is to explore the interaction of coated nanoparticles with the cellular membrane. You will perform both computer simulations and experiments to test the adhesion and the cellular uptake of nanoparticles. This project is meant for students who have both a theoretical and an experimental interest.

The computational research will be carried out in the group of Dr. Ioana M. Ilie and the experimental research will be carried out in the group of Prof. Hong Zhang at HIMS.

Interested? Submit a letter of motivation and CV to Dr. Ioana M. ILIE as a single PDF document.

 

Experimental projects on The Ingredients for Life

As part of the ORIGINS Center, we offer projects on the origins of life within an interdisciplinary network. 

We study the ingredients for life using Urey-Miller-type experiments, imitating early-Earth conditions and more.

Interested? Find out more here .  Apply by sending an email to a.petrignani@uva.nl

Modelling projects in The search for Life

As part of the ORIGINS Center, we offer projects on the search of life within an interdisciplinary network. 

We want to study the probing power of ionospheres in the search for life by investigating the molecular spectroscopy and photochemistry in ionospheres.

Interested? Find out more here.  Apply by sending an email to a.petrignani@uva.nl

 

Experimental and theoretical projects in Astrochemistry

We offer projects in astrochemistry within an interdisciplinary network. 

We study the (photo)chemistry and inventory of organic material in space and its role in formation of planets and life.

Interested? Find out more here. Apply by sending an email to a.petrignani@uva.nl