Biomolecule Crystallization in Microfluidic Devices

This PhD project is embedded in the Group of Transport Processes and Reactions at KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Simon Kuhn. We also form part of the larger Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems (ProcESS) group at the Department of Chemical Engineering with expertise in process intensification, use of alternative energy sources and membrane technology.

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Project

Downstream processing (DSP) of biopharmaceuticals is dominated by chromatographic steps which suffer from low throughput, poor scalability and elevated energy consumption, as well as high equipment and materials costs. The MSCA ETN "Crystallization towards efficient and sustainable biomanufacturing" (PROCRYSTAL) vision is to establish crystallization as a simple, sustainable, cost-efficient and scalable alternative to current DSP techniques.

The offered PhD project will develop efficient screening workflows for biomolecules relevant to therapeutic purposes (peptides). A droplet-based microfluidic screening platform will be developed. The experimental work is complemented by advanced modelling tools to rationally select nucleating agents for a desired compound. The project aims to identify efficient crystallization screening approaches by using nucleation-promoting agents and external fields. It involves developing both inline and offline characterization methods to continuously monitor nucleation and growth within the screening platform. Additionally, it will evaluate the use of advanced modeling tools to rationally select nucleating agents for desired compounds, ensuring a more targeted and effective approach to crystallization.

The project is embedded in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ETN program “PROCRYSTAL”, an initial training network for PhD students which is dedicated to biomolecule crystallization, biochemistry, chemical and process engineering as well as advanced modelling. The PROCRYSTAL training program for the involved PhDs has been framed with special attention to fundamental understanding of the underlying phenomena, from the molecular scale to process scale, and advanced experimental and modelling techniques specific to crystallization technology. The PhDs will also perform secondments at our academic and industrial partners. 

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Offer

The successful candidate will be offered a PhD position to become part of our international team with global research links.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Simon Kuhn, simon.kuhn@kuleuven.be.

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