Projects

New probes for redox biology through groundbreaking lanthanide coordination chemistry and photophysics 2022-2029

The Novo Nordisk Foundation NERD grant (Grant no. 59733)

The rare earth elements have unique magnetic and optical properties that are used in the technology that surround us. In smartphone displays, in speakers, in hard drives, in high performance batteries, and in high efficiency low energy light sources. The many applications serve as a motivator for the study of rare earth chemistry, an area where there are still a lot to discover. This NERD project will explore the fundamental chemistry of the elements, an area where we still have much to learn. The project uses world leading chemistry to provide new tools that other researchers can to study redox states of biological systems. Hypoxia and oxidative stress directly influence the redox state and are important in cancer, diabetes, and aging. The idea is to advance our fundamental under standing of rare earth chemistry and use the new knowledge to create tools that will enable other scientist to discover cures for disease and the origin of aging.

Status: In progress. 

Improving rare earth separation - characterising the interface during hydrometallurgic treatment 2021-2024

DFF | FTP (Grant no. 0136-00129B)

This research project provides support for one PhD student, who will study the chemistry and interface structure of lanthanide extraction processes. We will test the structure-property relationships governing the industrial processes used for rare earth mining as well as nuclear fuel recycling.

Status: In progress. 

Developing the first 2D optical chemosensors for next generation process control in single use equipment 2020-2022

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (Grant no. 57136)

This research project will be driven by two postdocs, who will be responsible for developing our responsive dyes into complete optical sensor systems. The key developments will be a robust platform for making and characterisation of surface optodes.

Status: In progress. 

Exploring the unique chemistry of lanthanide ions  2017-2022

Villum Fonden (Project no. 14922)

In this research project, where the grant funds five PhD students, two postdocs, and a new spectrometer, we will study the molecular structure surrounding lanthanide ions in solution. Lanthanide ions have many unique properties, one is that they emit light, a fact we benefit from when turning on an energy saving fluorescent light. We will test the structure-property relationship that we develop by trying to improve rare earth mining, nuclear fuel recycling, and lanthanide based diagnostic tools.

Status: In progress. 

PUF tags - biometrics for things  2019-2019

Innovationsfonden (Grant no. 9122-00014B)

This commercialization grant from Innovationsfonden let us complete the last mile in the maturing of our optical authentication technology. The grant let us develop market ready software and dedicated readers for our optical authentication system.

Status: Complete. Outcome: See pufin.id

An Optical pH sensor  2016-2017

BIOPRO  (EU regional funds)

The project will develop an optical ph/DO meter (sensor spot, plastic consumables, reader hardware w. firmware, calibration, and documentation package) and thus test the novel sensor spot technology developed and patented at Copenhagen University and prepared for commercialization by FRS-Systems ApS. The optical pH/DO meter will include a 2nd generation sensor spot, capable of measuring pH and oxygen in fermentation tanks without contaminating the biomass. Furthermore, the solution will be calibration-free.

Status: Complete. Outcome: See FRS-systems.com

Direct excitation microscopy   2016-2017

Villum fonden (Villum Block Stipend)

Trivalent lanthanide ions have unique luminescence properties as they emit light in narrow emission lines and with characteristic luminescence lifetimes. These features can be exploited when the lanthanide ion is bound to a dye-antenna, as it is difficult to directly excite the lanthanides. In this project we will use the competencies of a star postdoc, state-of-the-art spectroscopic equipment, advanced microscopy, and lanthanide coordination chemistry to probe how far we can take direct excitation of trivalent lanthanide ions (without the ligand dye-antenna) for microscopy imaging applications.

Status: Complete. Outcome: See publications # 60

Lanthanide stains for bioimaging  2014-2015

The Danish Council for Independent Research | Technology and Production Science (DFF 4005-00013)

Lanthanide ions are unique as the same molecular framework can be used as NMR shift reagent, MR contrast agent, TEM contrast agent, and luminescent marker. Furthermore, lanthanide complexes can be made to be responsive or to target specific chemical structures. In this project the aim is to target sugars, to make lanthanide complexes that associate to sugars and respond by an increase in luminescence, a shift in an NMR signal, or an increase in TEM contrast. The major part of the project is concerned with synthesizing lanthanide complexes, and to investigate their association to the common mono- and disaccharides. The minor part of the project is aimed towards understanding the chemistry prerequisite for obtaining a good contrast from lanthanide complexes in bioimaging. 

Status: Complete. Outcome: See publications # 40 & # 46.

Remote sensing using lanthanide ions  2013-2014

The Carlsberg Foundation (2012_01_0065 & 2013_01_0187)

In recent work, we have shown that we can use lanthanide centred luminescence as a probe for changes in molecular structure occurring at a significant distance from the lanthanide in both multimetallic assemblies and supra-molecular structures. That is we can use lanthanide complexes to

study the remote effects studied by Clayden and others.This project is aimed at investigating the boundaries of these remote sensing effects and in establishing. 

Status: Complete. Outcome: See publications #49, # 58, & # 61

Optical hardware and GUI for a fluorescence-based optical pH-sensor  2013-2014

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (4096)

Status: Complete. Outcome: See FRS-systems.com

Optical sensor materials 2013

The Lundbeck Foundation (2013-12793)

Status: Complete. Outcome: See FRS-systems.com

Developing fluorescent dyes and techniques for bioimaging 2010-2013

The Danish Council for Independent Research | Technology and Production Science (DFF 10-093546)

The fluorescent probe marked is dominated by one major player, with several large chemical and medical supply companies trying to capture marked shares. All supply two types of products, kits for conjugation of dyes to specific biological molecules and pre-conjugated dyes. Very few types of fluorescent dyes are available, and all have similar characteristic properties. The probes are very expensive and shrouded in secrecy. The price and limited knowledge is a barrier for high-tech innovation and research. Proof-of-concept studies have been performed to show that the performance of the commercial probes can be matched and surpassed. A research plan is proposed that will make new fluorescent probes available—initially for selected collaborators, later commercially—in a form that is better than what is supplied on the commercial marked.  New probes will be designed, opening for development of new or improved techniques and with a focus on making the dyes available in a pure form in significant quantities.  Together with training this will allow for higher flexibility for the end user of the fluorescent probe. User feedback and training is an integrated part of the research strategy.

Status: Complete. Outcome: See publications # 27, #28, #32, & #41