Roithová and Büll receive the grant for the following projects:
Synthetic sugar barcodes for a healthy gut immune system
Dr Christian Büll & Dr Jochem Bernink (Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University/AMC)
The intestine produces mucin proteins that carry repeating sequences of complex sugar molecules at different positions and densities. As such, mucin sugars form diverse molecular patterns, reminiscent of molecular barcodes. These sugar barcodes contain biological information that is interpreted by receptor proteins, ‘barcode scanners’, found on intestinal immune cells. However, this process is poorly understood. We will synthesize sugar barcodes and investigate how they are ‘scanned’ by immune cells. Furthermore, we will study if the sugar barcodes are changed in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and explore their potential to mitigate inflammation.
Molecular Insights for Advancing Nitrogen Reduction
Prof Dr Jana Roithová (Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University)
The project aims to revolutionize knowledge of nitrogen reduction by studying reactive intermediates in electrocatalytic N2 reduction. Using voltammetry coupled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (VESI-MS), researchers will monitor reactions in real time. By studying known catalysts and designing new ones with tunable cavities, the research will provide detailed insights into reaction mechanisms and intermediates. Unique coupling of these methods with cryogenic ion spectroscopy will enlighten the activation of N2 and the effects of the molecular environment on it. This knowledge could lead to better catalyst design and thus advance the field of N2 electroreduction.
