PhD student
Frederique Turlings
RESEARCH
Expansion microscopy is a newly developed technique to visualize biological targets at nanoscale resolution on conventional fluorescence microscopes. This technique involves embedding a biological sample in a swellable polyelectrolyte hydrogel, followed by homogenization to disrupt structures that could potentially distort isotropic swelling. This can be achieved through enzymatic digestion with proteinase K or chemical denaturation through high temperatures or detergent treatment. After homogenization, swelling of the hydrogel in water physically expands the distance between the grafted molecules, resulting in improved spatial resolution.
Since its introduction in 2015, many efforts have been committed to extend its range of applications and further increase the resolution1,2. Trivalent molecules, which can target, report and anchor at once, can aid this technique, but have been limited by its applicability to specific targets3. My project aims to facilitate the extension of the applicability range of these tools by the design and synthesis of a molecular toolbox for expansion microscopy. This project is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) Gravitation programme IMAGINE! (project number 24.005.009).
CURRICULUM VITAE
I obtained my Master’s degree in Chemistry at the Radboud University in Nijmegen in 2021. During my studies, I performed my first research internships at the Boltje Research group focussing on the synthesis of carbohydrate prodrugs. Additionally, I performed a research internship at NTRC (now Crossfire Oncology), during which I worked on the design and Synthesis of PROTACs. After my studies, I joined Symeres for two years to work as Senior Research Chemist, encountering various synthetic organic chemistry projects.
In May 2023 I joined dr. Martijn Verdoes’ group as a PhD candidate in Chemical Immunology at the RadboudUMC and transferred to LUMC in September 2024.
1. Chen, F., Tillberg, P. W. & Boyden, E. S. Expansion Microscopy. Science 347, 543 - 548 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260088
2. Wen, G., Leen, V., Rohand, T., Sauer, M. & Hofkens, J. Current Progress in Expansion Microscopy: Chemical Strategies and Applications. Chem Rev 123, 3299-3323 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00711
3. Wen, G. et al. Trifunctional Linkers Enable Improved Visualization of Actin by Expansion Microscopy. ACS Nano 17, 20589-20600 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c07510
