Personal information

Prof. dr. Govert W. Somsen
Full professor & Chair Biomolecular Analysis/Analytical Chemistry
Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry

Research
The Biomolecular Analysis group focuses on revealing the compositional and structural heterogeneity of (glyco)proteins, enzymes, oligonucleotides, nanoparticles, and bio-based polymers. Primary scientific queries centre around assessment of critical quality attributes of biotherapeutics and biomaterials, and understanding of relations between structural (bio)chemical diversity and functional properties. For that, we explore and develop new combinations of advanced separation techniques and state-of-the-art (ion mobility) mass spectrometry to achieve efficient and information-rich analyses of biopolymers. Goal is to establish multidimensional and integrated analytical systems that provide essential details on chemical composition, size, conformation and/or supramolecular structure of macromolecules. Particular attention is paid to native workflows in which structural integrity and bioactivity of the studied compounds are conserved during analysis.

Substantial part of our research is strengthened by extensive public-private partnerships with institutes and pharmaceutical, chemical and instrument companies, fuelling innovations in e.g. drug development, functional materials, and analytical equipment. Beyond biopolymers and nanoparticles, our work extends to isomer-specific analysis of designer drugs, and resolving sample heterogeneity caused by light-induced degradation in the context of art conservation, paint stability, and water purification.

Teaching
(i) Current Bachelor courses:

• Molecular Analysis (BSc Chemistry)
• Identification Techniques (BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences)
• Clinical and Analytical Chemistry (BSc Medical Natural Sciences)

(ii) Current Courses in MSc Chemistry, track Analytical Sciences

• Molecular Analytics Premaster
• Separation Sciences

(iii) Examiner of BSc and MSc research projects and literature theses

(iv) Coordinator of Analytics & Photonics theme BSc Chemistry

(v) Lecturer in ASTP Honors Program of COAST

Grants and other activities
Most recent research grants:

• NWO-AES Open Technology Programme (granted 2024): Controlled Study Of Light Induced Degradation by Advancing Technology (ConSOLIDATe), van Bommel, Pirok, Samanipour (UvA), Somsen, Ariese (VUA), AstraZeneca, AkzoNobel, Cultural Heritage Agency, Royal Water Research Institute (KWR)
• PolPharma Biologics PhD project (agreed 2023): Accelerating biosimilar development by designing new analytical workflows, Somsen (VUA), Lubbers (Polpharma)
• NWO-KIA Key Technologies (granted 2022): Innovative Analytics for Therapeutic-Oligonucleotide Research (InnovATOR), Somsen, Rijs (VUA), Pirok, Gargano (UvA), AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis, Tosoh, MS Vision
• Agilent ACT-UR Programme (granted 2021): Combining LC fractionation to CE/MS separations to characterize biomanufacturing variability, Somsen (VUA), Gargano (UvA), Agilent
• ERC Horizon 2020-MSCA-ITN (granted 2020): Reference materials and methods for emerging pollutants (REVAMP), de Boer, Lamoree, Leonards, Brandsma, Somsen (VUA), Chiron, Bruker, Waters, EURL, Marine Institute
• Agilent ACT-UR Programme (granted 2020): Multi-Attribute Platform for Monoclonal Antibodies (MAP4mAb), Somsen, Haselberg (VUA), Gargano (UvA), Agilent
• NWO-ENW PPS (granted 2019): Propelling Analysts by Removing Analytical-, Data-, Instrument-, and Sample-related Encumbrances (PARADISE), van Asten, Pirok, Schoenmakers (UvA), Somsen (VUA), Covestro, DSM, Genentech, Shell, NFI

Awards and recognition:

• Power List 2019 of The Analytical Scientist: global top 100 of most influential analytical chemists
• Interview C2W 2020

Academic and Management Activities:

• Member Management Team Dept. Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences VU
• Co-leader Centre of Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA)
• Member of Round Table Chemistry (Advisory Board NWO-Domain Science)
• Board Member Society for Microscale Separation and Bioanalysis (SMSB)
• Board Member KNCV Working Group Separation Sciences
• Board Member KNCV Working Group FABIAN
• Board Member W. Th. Nauta Foundation
• Board Member Chemistry Foundation VU

More information can be found on my Research Portal Profile.

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