prof. dr. ir. Gijs Wuite

Personal information

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

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.

Gijs Wuite | Physics Living Systems | Department of Physics and Astronomy

DNA organization

They study how proteins organize DNA into chromosomes by measuring how individual proteins bind and move along DNA, which has revealed the physical behavior of these systems and clarified how DNA responds to tension. Recently, the research expanded to whole chromosomes to investigate their mechanical structure. Moreover, they solved with a string of papers a long standing controversy about the physical nature of DNA under tension.

DNA repair & recombination
They investigate how cells maintain genome integrity by repairing DNA. By combining optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy, they visualize and control repair processes at the single-molecule level, including protein interactions that reconnect broken DNA.

Technique development

The lab develops cutting-edge biophysical instruments, such as multi-beam optical traps and Acoustic Force Spectroscopy, enabling precise manipulation and visualization of biomolecules. These tools push the limits of resolution, throughput, and experimental capability.

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.

Teaching

Optics

Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics

Master thesis supervisor for Science Business Innovation Program.

Ancillary activities

Lumicks BV | Amsterdam | | 2014-01-01 - present
GW Instruments | Amsterdam | Directeur/eigenaar | 2014-01-01 - present

Ancillary activities are updated daily

Full Professor, Faculty of Science, Physics of Living Systems

Full Professor, LaserLaB, LaserLaB - Molecular Biophysics

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