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  • Upcoming: 2nd CONSENSE Week @ KU Leuven!

    Upcoming: 2nd CONSENSE Week @ KU Leuven!

    Next week, the CONSENSE ESRs and consortium will get together for the 2nd CONSENSE week – a weeklong meeting filled with scientific discussions, transfer lectures, interactive outreach sessions and a 2-day ESR workshop focusing on academic publishing.

    The meeting will commence with progress updates and discussions on all 15 ESR projects, offering the possibility for valuable real-time and in-plenum feedback, and paving the way for the next steps forward. The scientific lectures will be dedicated to the topics of “Photonic Biosensors for Real-time Monitoring of Live and Single cells” and “Single molecule plasmon sensing” delivered by Hatice Altug (EPFL) and Peter Zijlstra (TUE). The third scientific lecture will be held by Christophe Caucheteur (UMONS) on “Optical fiber grating-based plasmonic biochemical sensors”.

    Moving from science to transfer-and entrepreneurial skills, Filip Delport (FOx) and Menno Prins (TUE / HELIA) will share their experiences “from academia to the spin-off”, followed by “An Introduction to Patents: System, Procedures, Rights” delivered by European Patent Attorney Ivo De Baere (KUL) .

    “How do I communicate about and disseminate my research results?” These questions will be answered in the last agenda point of the first days – an interactive “Outreach session” delivered by accelCH, going over all things communication, dissemination and exploitation.

    We will end the 2nd CONSENSE week with a 2-day ESR workshop on “how to visually succeed in academic publishing”, learning and practicing our graphical figure skills. We’re looking forward to lots of learnings and new skills to practically apply in the future.

    Stay tuned to read our event follow up!

  • Follow up: Consense meets at KU Leuven!

    Follow up: Consense meets at KU Leuven!

    Hey everyone! Last week was the 2nd Consense Week in Leuven, Belgium, where we had an incredible opportunity to learn new skills and share our progress. We heard cool talks about the latest research in the field of photonic plasmonic sensors and ESRs shared their own projects in continuous sensing. Plus, we had an awesome workshop on how to make eye-catching graphics and visuals! Let’s dive in!

    Science

    During the scientific talks, we learned about the newest discoveries in the field, like how photonic plasmonic sensors can help us monitor the environment and diagnose illnesses. It was really interesting to see all the different applications of this technology! The lectures covered a range of topics:

     

    This showcased the latest advances in the field, challenges, and opportunities for future research and applications, providing a comprehensive view of the field.

    But the best part was definitely the student presentations, where we got to hear about what our fellow researchers are working on. We gave each other feedback and shared ideas, which was super helpful! On top of that, this was the first meeting with all 15 ESRs physically present, and also the first one for our newest member Daniil who just started his PhD in EPFL, Switzerland.

    Transferrable skills

    In addition to learning scientific disciplines, ESRs have to acquire skills to effectively communicate their research findings and bring their ideas to life. For this, we had Filip Delport (FOx) and Menno Prins (TUE / HELIA) sharing their experiences “from academia to the spin-off”, followed by “An Introduction to Patents: System, Procedures, Rights” delivered by European Patent Attorney, Ivo De Baere (KUL). It was really insightful to hear about how researchers can turn their ideas into real-world applications.

    Finally, we had a workshop on visual communication, where illustrators and former scientists Luk Cox and Idoya Lahortiga from Somersault1824 taught us how to make amazing posters, infographics, and presentations. It was hands-on and fun, and we all got to show off our new skills.

    Overall, Consense Week was a great opportunity for us to learn, share, and connect with each other. We can’t wait to see what amazing things will come out of this field in the future! Do not miss out!

  • Introducing ESR3!

    Introducing ESR3!

    Hi there! I am Anna and I am glad you want to have a look at this short introduction of myself. I was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland but I moved to Cracow just after finishing high school. In my sparse free time, I enjoy good food and learning new languages. One of my biggest passions is travelling and experiencing what our amazing planet has to offer (like hiking to active volcanoes 😊).

    My journey in science

    I started my studies with the idea of becoming a paleoanthropologist! Soon enough though, I fell in love with synthetic biology and continued my studies in biotechnology. During my master’s, I was a member of a bionanoscience research group in a local biotechnology centre where we were developing a DNA-based system to deliver membrane proteins to artificial cells. After my graduation, I worked in industry for a couple of months where I further expanded my expertise in protein biochemistry and structural biology.

    Where I am now

    Currently, I am based at the Eindhoven University of Technology, as a part of the Merkx group. For my PhD project, I am developing biosensors for continuous monitoring of biomarkers with a focus on diseases like sepsis. I am happy to be a part of CONSENSE ITN, as it gives so many opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other.

    I am very excited to see how my PhD adventure develops!

    Thank you for reading <3

  • CONSENSE at KU Leuven Information Day!

    CONSENSE at KU Leuven Information Day!

    We are pleased to inform you that KU Leuven is hosting an information day on April 22nd, providing you with the perfect opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the courses and faculties on offer.

    During this event, you will have the chance to embark on guided tours, attend informative sessions, and have your queries answered by current students, professors, and tutors. Our team of experts will be readily available to provide you with all the necessary information to help you make an informed decision about your future.

    Moreover, we are excited to announce that CONSENSE will be present at the open day with the KU Leuven Biosensors group of Professor Lammertyn. You can discover our innovative work and meet our skilled team to gain valuable insights into our organization and its mission.

    We encourage you to join us for this momentous occasion and learn more about the endless possibilities that await you at KU Leuven. We look forward to seeing you there! 🚀 #KUL #infoday #biosensors #CONSENSE

  • Get to know ESR15!

    Get to know ESR15!

    Hi, my name is Guilherme Gouveia and I’m ESR15 in the CONSENSE consortium. 

    I’m Portuguese, born and raised on the outskirts of Lisbon. Throughout my childhood, I was always fascinated by nature. Our dogs, tiny bugs, or flowers would grab almost as much of my attention as football and Judo. As I got older, subjects like History and Philosophy rivalled my interests in natural sciences and allowed me a holistic view of its various branches.

    During my Bachelors in the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, I studied Biology and complemented my studies with a minor in Physics. I followed my interdisciplinary path in the Masters of Bioengineering and Nanosystems at Instituto Superior Técnico where I was first introduced to biosensors and the “plenty of room at the bottom”, combining Molecular Biology with the most recent advances in Material Science, Nanotechnology, and the plethora of ways that we can transduce a signal.

    This room for creativity is what lured me into the CONSENSE project and to the LMI group at the Radboudumc in the amazing city of Nijmegen. Here, I have wonderful colleagues and an impressive project, mentored by Marien de Jonge. My part in the consortium is the preclinical validation of the developed biosensors using in vitro cell models. Due to the lack of knowledge regarding the dynamics of the immune systems, I will also use these models to first describe and then longitudinally study the different messengers involved in the extracellular response to acute inflammation.

    I look forward to further collaborating and meeting with my colleagues to fulfil the dream of continuous biosensing.    

  • It’s all about me, ESR13!

    It’s all about me, ESR13!

    Hello everyone, welcome to this page which will talk about me – Jalu Setiya Pradana or Jalu (ESR 13).

    About me

    I was born and raised in a small village in Java, Indonesia. Since elementary school, I have been interested in natural sciences and wanted to know the answers or reasons behind natural phenomena. I decided to dive deeper into the topic of natural science as it allows me to continue learning and discovering new things. I find it exciting as science will always continue to develop and raise many questions.

    My Academic Journeys

    Growing up as a child who had a very strong interest in science, I aspired to study more about science, especially physics. This is what led me to major in physics at one of the best universities in Indonesia. Over time, my perspective on physics became wider and I became interested in the application of physics in the medical field so that I took many courses related to the medical/biological field. On the other hand, I also have a very high passion for optics and photonics which inspired me to be directly involved in the development of biosensors by utilizing the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) phenomenon which is considered capable of detecting up to a single molecule in real-time measurement and has high accuracy. Therefore, I chose to conduct my bachelor thesis research with the theme of exploiting the SPR phenomenon for biomedical applications under the supervision of Dr. Rahmat Hidayat. After earning my bachelor degree, I had the opportunity to continue my research at ITB as a research assistant. Here, I assisted my supervisor in continuing the study on fabrication, characterization, and simulation of 1-D and 2-D grating nanostructures to see their SPR effect. Furthermore, my ‘thirst’ for knowledge led me to take a master’s program in applied physics in Japan, under the supervision of Prof. Yoshihiko Takeda. From this experience, I was able to further my skill and understanding of the characteristics and applications of the localized SPR phenomenon from metal nanoparticles in various fields, especially in nonlinear optics.

    Joining CONSENSE

    Driven by my lifelong interest in photonics and the desire to develop photonics for biomedical applications, I am honoured to join a prestigious consortium, CONSENSE. I am currently working under Fox Biosystems and joining KU Leuven‘s MeBios group as a PhD student to develop an FO-SPR biosensor system integrated with DNA nanoswitches.

    Apart from Academia World

    Besides research and academic activities, I am very interested in entertainment. On several occasions, I have been the MC of several music festivals and radio broadcasters in Indonesia.

    Now you know a lot about me, I can finally say thank you so much for reading this article!

  • Introducing ESR9!

    Introducing ESR9!

    WHO AM I?

    Hey! I appreciate your time reading my blog piece! I’m Livio. I’m a very simple guy who loves travelling, music, cinema…Arts in general I’d say…I like learning and discussing the social and political constructs we have built as a complex society.

    MY NOT-SO-STRAIGHT JOURNEY IN SCIENCE

    I have a very interesting academic and professional pathway. During my Materials Science and Engineering bachelor’s in Brazil, I had the amazing opportunity to have an exchange year at the University of British Columbia in Canada (which was one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever lived during my bachelor’s times). After that, I worked with corporative data analysis in two multinational companies, and at some point, I was missing…SCIENCE…Then I decided to turn around and pursue a career shift. It wasn’t an easy decision, and I’m still consolidating this trajectory, but I started it by getting a Master’s in Physical Chemistry / Material Science and Engineering.  

    WHAT NOW?

    I joined CONSENSE in October 2022 at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in Eindhoven (The Netherlands), and I’ve been discovering the impressive world of light-matter interactions using microscopy. More specifically I study ways to overcome optical limitations of the human eye, or even of a microscope. I use metallic nanoparticles that are able to focus light on their surface, and I use such properties to do biosensing of very small biomolecules using a conventional microscope. If you have an interest in discussing further this fascinating topic, you can reach me on my LinkedIn profile, and I’d be glad to explain more in-depth what we are doing at TU/e.

  • CONSENSE presents at BIOSENSORS 2023!

    CONSENSE presents at BIOSENSORS 2023!

    A month ago, Andris Jeminejs and Emily Tsang attended the 33rd Anniversary World Congress on Biosensors in Busan, South Korea. At this conference, they reported on the recent progress of their PhD projects and took the opportunity to see how other researchers are advancing the field of biosensors. 

    Emily presented her research with the poster titled “DNA Origami Compass”, showcasing the application of large, switch-like DNA origami structures in biosensing of small molecules.



    “It was truly awe-inspiring to witness the latest advancements in biosensing technology and connect with passionate individuals who are driving innovation in this field at the BIOSENSORS2023 conference. I am feeling grateful for the knowledge gained and the amazing community I’ve become a part of. “
    Emily Tsang
    ESR 7

    Meanwhile, Andris gave an oral presentation about his findings in the field of bioconjugation – the science of connecting different biomolecules together into more complex structures. In his talk, he demonstrated different techniques that could be used in the assembly of continuous biosensors. 

    “It was an enormous honour to present my own project at the BIOSENSORS 2023! The conference brought together so many great minds from all over the world, paving the way for many scientific discussions, new connections and possible collaborations. It was also an eye-opening experience to see so many excellent talks and posters, showcasing the recent advances in the biosensor field, blending chemistry, physics, biology and engineering. However, the most valuable aspect for me was the opportunity to exchange the expertise with fellow attendees, providing input to others and receiving their feedback in return.”
    Andris Jeminejs ESR 6
  • CONSENSE ESRs present their work at SensUs 2023

    CONSENSE ESRs present their work at SensUs 2023

    Curious to find out about the latest findings and research done within CONSENSE? Then meet us at SensUs 2023!

    During this year’s SensUs event, all CONSENSE ESRs will present their projects and showcase their work in the form of short science pitches and poster presentations. The CONSENSE pitches and poster presentations will take place on August 29, 2023, from 16:00-18:00 (CEST).

    This marks the second year of CONSENSE’s presence at SensUs. The event offers a fantastic opportunity for the exchange of ideas, insights, and collaborations in the realm of biosensing technologies.

    Leading up to the event, our CONSENSE ESRs Anna and Sebastian already shared some insights into their work in a SensUs interview, read the full article here.

    CONSENSE at SensUs 2023

    When? August 29, 2023. 16:00-18:00 CEST

    Where? Auditorium of Eindhoven University of Technology.

    What? 1-1.5 minute science pitches and poster presentations by all CONSENSE ESRs.

    For more information on SensUs 2023, click here.

    Stay tuned for our event recap and updates or see you there! 🚀🔬🌍

    Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date.

  • Follow up: Consense meets at SensUs 2023!

    Follow up: Consense meets at SensUs 2023!

    Hey everyone! In the vibrant tech hub of Europe, Eindhoven, CONSENSE marks the beginning of September with an annual meeting at the SensUs competition. But this wasn’t your typical gathering; it was an explosive mix of brains from academia, industry, and innovation. As special guests invited to join the prestigious SensUs 2023 event, we embarked on a journey packed with mind-blowing science talks, eye-opening company tours, and awesome connections. Let’s dive in!

    Scientific Talks: Sharing the Knowledge

    During the scientific talks, the ESRs shared recent updates of their projects in continuous biosensing. This was followed by a number of different lectures: 

    • “Biomedical microdevices enabled by microfluidic technology” delivered by Prof. Jaap den Toonder (TU/e).
    • Recent advances in sensing technologies presented by Dr. Amani Hariri (Stanford University).
    • Group discussions “The future of continuous biosensing applications and societal impact” and “Technological state-of-the-art in continuous biosensing” conducted by Menno Prins (TU/e).
     

    The ESRs also actively engaged in intra- and inter-work package discussions, with a particular emphasis on the exchange of ideas and cultivation of future collaborative endeavors. Furthermore, they openly discussed the many challenges that come with pursuing a Ph.D., engaging in open discussions with CONSENSE-associated supervisors, who then generously shared valuable advice on how to tackle them effectively.

    SensUs 2023 student competition

    At the SensUS competition, the ESRs delivered 1-minute pitches about their continuous biosensing projects, setting the stage for an engaging poster session. This session offered an excellent opportunity for the competition participants to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and pose questions to the ESRs.

    Company Visits: Diving into the Tech Scene

    Eindhoven isn’t just a hotspot for science geeks; it is also a breeding ground for innovation and cutting-edge companies. As part of the CONSENSE meeting, we visited companies and startups in the region, such as Siemens Healthineers, Imec and StentIt, the ones leading the biosensor and health tech revolution. We also had an amazing opportunity of heading to Nijmegen to visit Radboud UMC and Future diagnostics – places where science from the lab and turned into real-world solutions that were changing healthcare as we knew it.

    As we look ahead, we can’t wait to see what springs from the connections we made and the ideas we shared at CONSENSE. We’re stoked to be part of this wild ride and here’s to more adventures and discoveries in the future!