In this paper we describe the first artificial bond that strengthens under stress. Not only did we find this catch bond, we also identified regime corresponding to ideal bond behavior, being insensitive to stress.

Great results of a collaboration with Joris Sprakel (Biochemistry) and Jasper van der Gucht (Physical Chemistry & Soft Matter), and the excellent work by graduate student Martijn van Galen and undergraduates Annemarie Bok en Taieesa Peshkovsky.

See also this interview in C2W.

Very happy to announce that NWO granted our OTP proposal to develop stealth antibodies that lower unwanted toxic effects (SALUTE). Together with Sandra Heskamp (Radboudumc) with the support of Synaffix, Genmab, and EnzyTag, we will develop generic methods to improve the dose-to-tumor delivery of antibody-based therapeutics.

Finally! Bio-orthogonal click chemistry received the Chemistry NP2022. It was awarded to Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and Barry Sharpless.

For the importance of click chemistry in cancer research, read the article in Cancer Discovery News. As click chemistry is at the core of what we do, I was interviewed.