The research aims to explore the evolutionary adaptability of enzymes and the impact of temperature on protein evolution pathways, using M. tuberculosis β-lactamase BlaC as the object of study. Enzymes inherently embody a delicate balance between activity and stability, and the acquisition of new enzymatic…

In this thesis, we extend the concept of null models as canonical ensembles of multi-graphs with given constraints and present new metrics able to characterize real-world layered systems based on their correlation patterns.

The main objective of this thesis was to develop clinically relevant survival models for patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities, in particular the development and validation of prediction models for use in clinical practice.

Lezing

Op 15 en 16 december nam Simona Demková deel aan een afsluitende conferentie en boekpresentatie van het doctorale opleidingsprogramma van de Universiteit van Luxemburg over ‘Enforcement Challenges in Multilevel Regulatory Systems – DTU REMS.

Promotores: J. Zaanen, A. Parnachev

The progressive loss and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is a major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The onset and progression of PD can be triggered by multiple risk factors, for instance, genetic mutation, environmental exposure, and aging.

We developed the bitterling as a unique, well-studied model organism in the area of the evolutionary ecology of brood parasitism. The bitterling-mussel relationship, interspecific mussel host preference, and mussel gill structure are studied in detail, to help understand the developmental adaptation…

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are mechanical waves that travel along the surface of a material and find many applications in modern technologies due to the ease of excitation on piezoelectric substrates via interdigital transducers (IDTs).

Promotor: Prof.dr. B. van de Water

The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to develop new methods forchallenging systems in liquid-state NMR using paramagnetic effects generated by thetwo-armed probe CLaNP-5.

Material circularity and energy efficiency are highly relevant and intertwined issues for the transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular built environment. In the Netherlands, the building sector has been rendered a priority towards a circular and low-carbon society.

We use DNA strands to stabilize few-atom silver clusters, which show unique optical and chemical properties. This thesis involves the study of these constructs for various applications.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

Wetlands provide many ecosystem goods and services which include fish production. The sustainability of small-scale fisheries (SSF) has received considerable attention in recent years because fish is one of the major sources of animal protein to a considerable fraction of the global population which…

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. Deprettere

Scattering of light in the presence of nano-structured materials, i.e. with features in the order of the wavelength of the light or smaller, reveals details of how light interacts with matter at the nanoscale.

Galaxies in the local Universe fall into two main categories of spirals and ellipticals. In this Thesis, we explore the structural evolution of galaxies into this bimodal distribution.

In the current global context, there is a pressing need to address sustainable energy supplies to safeguard our Planet and its ecosystems. The choices made by human society have a significant impact on genetic evolution and climate.

Promotor: Prof.dr. W.T.F. den Hollander

Promotor: Koen Kuijken Co-promotor: Henk Hoekstra

Heterogeneous catalysis is essential to many industrial applications. These catalysts are often comprised of supported nanoparticles, which contain various different surface sites.

The database research community has made tremendous strides in developing powerful database engines that allow for efficient analytical query processing.

Prof. Ton Liefaard en dr. Stephanie Rap (m.m.v. Apollonia Bolscher LL.M.) zijn betrokken bij het ontwikkelen van een training Toolkit en Manual voor het project Improving Juvenile Justice Systems in Europe: Training for Professionals (JUST/2013/FRC/AG).

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. Zaanen, Prof.dr. K.E. Schalm

Climate change is a challenge for both current and future generations. New biological resources have to be developed in order to meet the demand for energy as well as the demand for food.

De Cleveringaleerstoel is ingesteld door de Universiteit Leiden ter herinnering aan hoogleraar Rudolph Pabus Cleveringa en zijn moedige optreden in november 1940 tijdens de Duitse bezetting en ter herdenking van de bevrijding in 1945.

Promotor: Ed F. Deprettere, Co-promotor: Todor P. Stefanov

Van hoogbegaafde kinderen wordt vaak gedacht dat zij vanzelfsprekend op de top van hun kunnen presteren. Psycholoog Bart Vogelaar ontdekte dat ook deze groep met training en uitleg op een test vooruitgang boekt. Bijzonder genoeg gaan ze daarin precies gelijk op met hun leeftijdsgenootjes. Promotie op…

This thesis is a collection of experimental attempts to enhance photoluminescence of fluorescent molecules and quantum dots with single gold nanorods (GNRs) and relevant applications.

The expanding population and economic activity are driving up global energy consumption. Simultaneously, there is an urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources to mitigate the climate crisis, primarily caused by fossil fuel combustion.

This thesis investigates how cell shape and collective behavior influence the dynamics and structure of biological tissues, which are crucial for understanding processes like embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and metastasis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and function of GRHL2 in different breast cancer subtypes.

The overall theme of this thesis is to complement the electrochemical data acquired in fuel cell research with in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

Promotor: Roeland M.H. Merks

The zebrafish is a promising vertebrate model organism in early drug discovery and development.

Humanity stands at a pivotal juncture, facing the dual challenge of environmental sustainability and rapid population growth, projected to exceed 11 billion by century’s end.

Promotores: T.H.W. Bäck, Y. Tan, Co-promotor: M.T.M. Emmerich

Antimicrobial drugs constitute a fundamental part of modern medicine. The global rise in antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health.

Promotor: P. J. J. Hooykaas, Co-promotor: R. Offringa

Why do black holes emit thermal radiation? And how does a closed quantum system thermalize?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, it is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and with a high financial burden on global healthcare systems. Bacterial infections are the primary cause of sepsis, but the growing prevalence of antimicrobial…

The overarching goal of this thesis is to set the foundations, but also make the first essential steps towards establishing a comprehensive, mesoscopic, hydrodynamic theory of epithelial tissues. The stage is set by an exhaustive study of topological defects in passive p-atic liquid crystals, singularities…

Promotie

Femke Bakker, Hawks and Doves: Democratic Peace Theory Revisited

This thesis focuses on enhancing predictions of central nervous system drug exposure using the LeiCNS-PK3.0, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.

This thesis addresses the problem of designing performance and energy efficient embedded streaming systems, that is, systems which process a stream of input data coming from the environment and generate a stream of output data going into the environment.

This thesis focus on the interaction between M dwarf stellar winds and Galactic cosmic rays and the possible effects on the habitability of exoplanets.

Promotores: Prof.dr. H. van Veen & Prof.dr. W. de Boer (Wageningen University)

For centuries astronomers studied the Universe by collecting light. Nowadays, we are living in times of great technological advancements, which allow us to explore our Universe in a new way - though gravitational wave radiation.