celkweek, foto Rawpixel
celkweek, foto Rawpixel

The Radboud PIC gel: how this material can contribute to your health

Friday 24 November 2023, 3 pm - 5:30 pm
Ten years ago, in one of our chemical laboratories at the faculty, a synthetic hydrogel with extraordinary properties was discovered.

This hydrogel, known as PIC, undergoes a phase transition, becoming a gel when heated and returning to a liquid state upon cooling. What truly sets this gel apart is its remarkable resemblance to collagen and fibrin gels, which constitute the extracellular matrix surrounding cells in our bodies.

Due to its close mimicry of native collagen, there is a plethora of potential biological and clinical applications for this synthetic gel. For instance, the PIC gel proves to be a perfect medium for cultivating human cells and organoids in the laboratory, and it can be employed as a wound healing material.

In this lecture, Dr. Paul Kouwer, an associate professor at our university, will explain the discovery and unique attributes of this hydrogel. He will demonstrate how, by incorporating various biological cues, the PIC gel can serve diverse purposes. He will delve into current and prospective applications within the laboratory and clinical settings. Furthermore, he will expound on how this synthetic gel can contribute to the advancement of personalized healthcare.

Are you curious about the future of "Personalised Medicine"? Or do you wish to gain comprehensive insights into the chemical intricacies and discovery of the PIC gel? If so, please sign up for the lecture!

Programme

15:00 - 15:30  Welcome with coffee and tea
15:30 - 16:30  Lecture
16:30 - 17:30  Social mixer

Language lecture

Dutch (Nederlands)

When
Friday 24 November 2023, 3 pm - 5:30 pm
Speaker
dr. Paul Kouwer
Location
Huygens building
Organisation
Faculty of Science
Contact information

This event is organised by the Team Alumni relations for the Faculty of Science. During the event our code of conduct for visitors is in effect. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us on alumni [at] fnwi.ru.nl (alumni[at]fnwi[dot]ru[dot]nl).