Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Prof. dr. ir. Gijs Wuite

Department of Physics and Astronomy
Prof.dr.ir. Gijs Wuite uses the tools and instruments of physics to study life processes.

Biography

Group Page: http://www.gijswuite.com/ 

Gijs Wuite obtained his PhD in biophysics in 2000. Since 2001 he leads his own group at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and in 2009 was appointed full professor. In his research he has successfully applied quantitative physical tools to investigate fundamental problems in biology, and to search for the unification of apparently unrelated biological phenomena. Moreover, he has been at the forefront of recent new and fast developments of biophysical techniques that have enabled visualization, manipulation and control of complex biological reactions. In 2014 he co-founded LUMICKS, a fast growing company specialized in dynamic single molecule instruments and in 2018 he won the Dutch Physics Valorisation prize & in 2019 the Amsterdam Impact Award, for successfully launching this company.

Notable is his publication in 2013 (Nature Method) on STED with optical tweezers in collaboration with Prof. Hell (Nobel laureate) and his 2016 Nature paper describing the integration of a multi-beam optical trap capable of handling multiple DNA molecules with fluorescence microscopy. Another key innovation is the invention of a new class of biophysical instrumentation, Acoustic Force Spectroscopy, which is making a big impact with research groups across the world implementing this technology. 

Wuite has received many awards and fellowships for his scientific work, including a NWO-VICI (2008) grant, an ERC Consolidator (2010) and ERC Advanced (2020) Grant of the European Union. The Amsterdam Impact Award (2019) for the most innovative scientific idea in Amsterdam. He obtained the NWO Physics Valorisation Prize (2017). He was one of the WEF “2013 Young Scientist”. Wuite was an elected member (2009) of the Young Academy (DJA), part of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (KNAW). He is an elected member (2014) of the Global Young Academy; he served on the management boards of both.

Research description

The research themes of the group are currently focused on unraveling the mechanics and dynamics of biological systems using an array of experimental techniques such as AFM, AFS, optical tweezers and (single-molecule) fluorescence. By investigating increasingly complex biological processes, we aim to link single molecule research with experimental systems biology. Most of our biophysical questions are solved in collaboration with biochemists, biologists, theoretical physicists and physicians.  

There are four major themes in his group:

DNA organization – DNA inside organisms is organized by multitudes of proteins in structures called chromosomes. It is extremely challenging to get data of the dynamics of these proteins which often bind non-specifically to DNA. We forged breakthroughs by developing a new instrument that was able to measure the location, binding forces and dynamics of individual proteins. From this data we could reveal the physical properties that emerged from arrays of these proteins interacting with multiple DNA strands. Recently, we expanded this research topic to whole chromosomes and have been able to investigate their mechanical structure. Moreover, we solved with a string of papers a long standing controversy about the physical nature of DNA under tension.




Meet Prof. Dr. Gijs Wuite

DNA repair & recombination - is essential for maintaining genome integrity. Yet, the molecular mechanism of this process remains elusive. By combining fluorescence microscopy and optical manipulation we demonstrated that it became possible to control, visualize and dissect key steps in the recombination reaction down to the single molecule. Another recent project has been on XLF-XRCC4, two essential proteins involved in repairing human DNA. Using a four optical tweezers combined with fluorescence we showed that these proteins form a mobile connection between broken DNA fragments.

Technique development – in my group has resulted in an easy to use multi-beam optical trap capable of handling multiple DNA molecules and in instruments that integrates optical trapping with the capability to visualize (single) fluorescent molecules on DNA. This combination of technologies we expanded further by introducing super-resolution detection in the optical trap. Another key innovation is our invention of a new class of biophysical instrumentation, Acoustic Force Spectroscopy, which is making a big impact with research groups worldwide implementing this technology. Many of these instruments are now commercial available via Lumicks..

Physics of viruses – Viruses are the simplest, smallest and often most rugged forms of life. The protective nanometer-scale proteinaceous shells (capsids) of viruses are particularly striking examples of biological materials evolution. These highly regular, self-assembled, nanometer sized containers are minimalistic in design, but combine complex passive and active functions. Besides chemical and physical protection, they are involved in the selective packing and injection of the viral genetic material. These objects illustrate an interesting array of basic physical principles which we wish to experimentally explore. Using atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers and fluorescence techniques we are studying the physical properties of viral capsids. 

Selected publications 

  • Dian Spakman, Tinka VM Clement, Andreas S Biebricher, Graeme A King, Manika I Singh, Ian D Hickson, Erwin JG Peterman, Gijs JL Wuite. PICH acts as a force-dependent nucleosome remodeler. Nature Communications 7277 (2022)
  • Vadim Bogatyr, Andreas S Biebricher, Giulia Bergamaschi, Erwin JG Peterman, Gijs JL Wuite. Quantitative Acoustophoresis. ACS Nanoscience Au 2, 341-354 (2022)
  • Nonlinear mechanics of human mitotic chromosomes, Anna EC Meijering, Christian F Nielsen, Hannes Witt, Janni Harju, Emma Kerklingh, Guus H Haasnoot, Anna H Bizard, Iddo Heller, Chase P Broedersz, Ying Liu, Erwin JG Peterman, Ian D Hickson, Gijs JL Wuite. Nature 605 (7910), 545-550 (2022)
  • Revealing in real-time a multistep assembly mechanism for SV40 virus-like particles. Mariska GM Van Rosmalen, Douwe Kamsma, Andreas S Biebricher, Chenglei Li, Adam Zlotnick, Wouter H Roos, Gijs JL Wuite. Science Advances Volume:6 Issue: 16 Pages: eaaz1639 (2020) 

Teaching

Teaching

Optics

Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics

Master thesis supervisor for Science Business Innovation Program.

Quick links

Research Research and Impact Support Portal University Library VU Press Office

Study

Education Study guide Canvas Student Desk

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas

About VU

About us Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Safety at VU Amsterdam Colofon Cookies Web archive

Copyright © 2024 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam