INDUCTION WEEK

The training on supramolecular chemistry will take place at Eindhoven University of Technology in spring 2025.  

Chemistry

BC1-Lipid Chemistry
Lipids are the core components of nanoparticles and their atomistic level of modification alter the nanoparticle stability. Design parameters of existing lipid libraries will be shown. 

BC2-Multivalent carbohydrates
This course involves the preparation of glycopolymers with designed carbohydrate sequence and folding coupled with training on bioanalytical tools to conduct binding assays.

BC3-Peptide Chemistry
Peptides and proteins are natural macromolecules and their chemical structure and their role in biology will be studied. 

AC1-Macromolecular Analysis
Several analytical techniques, i.e. NMR, mass spec, UV, and FT-IR, for the detailed analysis of small/large molecules will be covered.

AC2-Sequence controlled polymers
Advanced organic and polymer synthesis methods will be presented to allow new macromolecular design strategies as potential targeting ligands or nanocarrier components.

Career

BC14-Scientific communication, writing and presentation
Basics of scientific writing, presentation, and communication with wider audience will be covered in this course.

AC14-Effective working relationships
Professional working skills in an academic environment will be discussed.

Training on supramolecular chemistry

The training on supramolecular chemistry will take place at the University of Freiburg in autumn 2025.  

Chemistry

BC4-Chemistry of PEG-like lipids
PEG lipids are widely used in nanoparticle stabilisation. Their molecular design and alternatives will be discussed.

AC3-Nucleic Acid Modifications
2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine was given in mRNA modification as modified nucleic acids are key for NATs.

AC4-Understanding Targeting Ligands
Biological receptors and cell/tissue targets are critical to design targeting ligands, which will be discussed during this course.

Particle Physics and biophysics

BC5-Nanoparticle Analysis
This workshop will cover the basic principles of nanoparticle analysis in terms of size and stability using advanced microscopy techniques such as SEM, cryo-TEM and AFM.

BC6-Supramolecular Chemistry
Secondary interactions between nanoparticles components are critical, thus non-covalent assembly mechanisms that allow build-up of well-defined nanoparticles will be covered. 

Summer school on colloidal science

Summer school on colloidal science will take place in Bordeaux, France in spring 2026.

Particle Physics and biophysics

BC7-Colloidal Science
The basic principles of polymersome and liposome constructs will be covered with the main focus on chemical synthesis strategies.

BC8-Controlling the Stability of Nanocarriers
The factors affecting the stability of liposomes, polymersomes and artificial cells will be taught with a special focus on physical chemistry and biochemical physics.

AC5-Peptide based carriers
This course deals with synthetic methods to produce peptide-based building blocks. It involves both a theoretical introduction as well as a practical workshop.

AC6-Scalability in Nanoparticle Production
Basic principle for the preparation of giant vesicles, from solvent-hydration, electro-formation, emulsion-centrifugation and microfluidic (including practical demonstration).

Training on biophysics

Training on biophysics will take place in Munich, Germany in autumn 2026.

Particle Physics and biophysics

AC7-Membrane-based protocell models
The goal of this course is to be able to generate various membrane model systems, such as supported membranes or giant vesicles.

AC7-Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
This course gives a primer into FCS and related single molecule spectroscopy techniques.

Training on NUCLEIC ACID BIOLOGY

Training on nucleic acid biology will take place in Valencia, Spain in spring 2027.

Cell biology

BC9-Understanding Intracellular Trafficking of Nanomedicines
The Mechanism of cell uptake and trafficking of different nanomedicines will be taught with a special focus on endocytic pathways and the importance of intracellular fate.

BC10-Isolation, culture and differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets
Principles of isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, selection of specific populations, lymphocytes (CD4/CD8), monocytes and dendritic cells, their culture and differentiation.

BC12-RNA synthesis formulation and cellular delivery
Basic principles of RNA synthesis, formulation, cellular transduction and assessment of expression will be covered.

AC9-Modulating intracellular trafficking
The different strategies used to tune cell uptake and trafficking through different mechanism, with special input in organelle targeting.

AC10-Flow cytometry
AC10 will deal with Flow cytometric analysis of gene expression in human cell lines and primary cells, including establishment of antibody staining panels, staining protocols and analysis of expression.

Winter school on business

Training on business will take place in Istanbul, Turkey in autumn 2027.

Bussiness

BC12-How to start up a company in EU
Writing a business plan to create a start-up company.

AC12-Entrepreneurship
Process of designing, launching and running a new business will be introduced with a special focus on building and maintaining entrepreneurial capacity.

AC13-Management skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship
This workshop will focus on the future career of DCs by providing them insights on management and start-ups.

Cell biology

AC11-GMP production
Good manufacturing processes are key to translate formulations to clinic, which will be explained in GMP facilities.

training on future careers

Training on business will take place in Croda, Denmark in spring 2028.

Bussiness

BC13-Business case development
Basics of business and entrepreneurship in life sciences, including intellectual property law. Includes real-life cases.

BC15-Preparing for a Job Interview
Key skills to prepare DC for future job possibilities. How to behave in a job interview and CV writing.