20 YEARS HAN BIOCENTRE towards a green and healthy society Centre of Expertise HAN BioCentre ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE
FOREWORD For two decades, HAN BioCentre has stood at the forefront of applied life sciences, driven by a clear mission: advancing biotechnology, chemistry, and data analysis in close collaboration with the professio- nal field. Since our founding, we have shaped our research lines together with our partners. This shared direction has kept our work relevant, future focused, and connected to real societal needs. As you will discover in this magazine, there is a great variety in themes and topics in the research done at HAN BioCentre. Researcher Dennis Lamers, who has been part of the center since the beginning has seen all changes and adaptations throughout the years. One of the mayor changes was the start of the research group Drug Discovery in 2021, which widened not only the horizon, but also the area in which HAN BioCentre is active, now reaching until Oss, where there is a hybrid learning environment at Pivot Park. And since 2024 our reach was also expanded to the north, with a Biobased lab at Cleantech Park Arnhem. This shows that we cross borders and build bridges to establish cooperation. Our strength lies in collaboration. Over the past 20 years, we have built strong partnerships with companies, knowledge institutions, and, of course, our students. Innovation only becomes meaningful when it reaches society. That is why we focus not just on research, but also on implementation to make impact. By bringing new technologies into practice, we help our partners evolve, support regional and national transitions, and prepare the next generation of professionals to lead with knowledge, creativity, and responsibility. Our students learn by doing, working side by side with our researchers and partners on projects that matter. In doing so, they gain the skills and mindset needed to build a greener and healthier future. As we celebrate 20 years of HAN BioCentre, we look back with pride and forward with ambition. The challenges ahead - climate change, material transition and global health - demand smart, sciencebased solutions. They also demand multidisciplinary collaboration, curiosity, and courage. We are committed to continuing this journey with our partners, expanding our research, and contributing to a better world. Thank you for being part of our story. We invite you to explore this magazine, discover our work, and join us in shaping the next 20 years of innovation. Carlien Verberne-van de Laak Program Manager Centre of Expertise
3 CONTENT PAGE 4 EARLY RESEARCHER HAN BIOCENTRE DENNIS LAMERS PAGE 6 THE ‘LEATHER’ BAG OF BIOMA LAB AND UNTAMED KOMBUCHA PAGE 9 SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES PAGE 10 PROFESSOR DENNIS LÖWIK OF RESEARCH GROUP DRUG DISCOVERY PAGE 12 TROPIQ HEALTH SERVICES PAGE 14 PROFESSOR CHRISTOF FRANCKE OF RESEARCH GROUP BIOBASED INNOVATIONS PAGE 16 PIVOT PARK PAGE 17 CONNECTR PAGE 18 RESEARCH PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 20 3 GROWTH FUND PROGRAMS PAGE 22 20 YEARS BIOCENTRE TIME LINE PAGE 24 A WORD FROM THE FOUNDERS PAGE 25 (FORMER) STUDENTS PAGE 26 PROGRAM SYMPOSIUM PAGE 27 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
4 A mix of surprise and amazement ran through Dennis Lamers when he first heard about a new technique for increasing or decreasing gene expression in microorganisms at last year’s European Congress on Biotechnology in Rotterdam. “What we do now is add or switch off genes. That’s like turning a lamp on and off”, Lamers explains. “This new technology can be compared to a dimmer. You gradually dial a gene’s activity up or down.” And that is a groundbreaking invention in the field of molecular biology. “It opens up huge new opportunities. At the same time, it is very complex and it’s not something you can just start applying yourself.” The example of dimmable genes nicely illustrates how Lamers can still be fascinated by new deve- lopments in his field. It’s one of the reasons he has enjoyed working as lecturer-researcher at HAN BioCentre for 20 years. In fact, he is the only employee who has been there from the very start. The Centre of Expertise in Applied Biosciences and Chemistry was established in 2005 at the initiative of Guido Matthee and Christien Lokman, who wanted to create more space for research assignments. Lamers: “The idea was to bring in real, hands-on research projects from companies so that students could conduct them alongside lecturer-researchers. This allowed them to work on something real, rather than doing a lab practical that ends up in the trash.” 20 years ago, that was an innovative way of thinking within higher education in the Netherlands. “We also had to push against the established order within education for quite a while. Our connection with the business community in particular led to questions being raised about our independence. But we persevered and became an example for other Centres of Expertise.” SMARTER TOGETHER Today, HAN BioCentre focuses on three main themes: biobased research, bioinformatics | data science and drug discovery. In particular, the Centre of Expertise specializes in the production of biobased raw materials based on fermentation, the development of separation methods for biorefinery and the development of new drugs that can be tested on kidney organoids. The research projects are done as much as possible in cooperation with companies active in the ‘biobased branch’. “By connecting research, education and industry, we are getting smarter together”, Lamers says. “Up-to-date knowledge flows into e- ducation more quickly, and companies can develop products based on our research that contribute to the transition toward a circular economy.” Since its founding, HAN BioCentre has grown from 4 to more than 20 people. Within its field, the Centre of Expertise also ranks among the best in the Ne- therlands, while it often remains invisible to the general public. “Many results stay under the radar due to confidentiality clauses, and the products based on our research are often semi-finished. Moreover, what we do is pioneering: we explore whether something is technically possible. Then comes the question of DENNIS LAMERS IS STILL FASCINATED BY NEW DEVELOPMENTS AFTER 20 YEARS OF HAN BIOCENTRE: “WE’VE BECOME AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS” HAN BioCentre is 20 years old. Lecturer-researcher Dennis Lamers (47) has been part of the Centre of Expertise from the beginning. He talks about its origins, its valuable link to the industry and his own oil-producing yeast.
5 whether it can be made economically viable. That can take a while.” Nevertheless, there are projects that stand out, especially if you can see the complexity and potential. For example, microorganisms are currently being used to investigate whether plastic can be made from methane leaking from landfills. And Lamers is deve- loping HAN Biocentre’s own yeast, which makes oil from paper and plant waste. This way, paint no longer needs to be made from fossil based oil. FAT MAKES OIL “Our yeast gets fat when it gets too much sugar, just like humans. And you can use that fat as a base for oil”, Lamers says. “Natural waste streams contain a lot of sugars. Only the yeast can’t naturally ‘eat’ the waste very well. By making genetic modifications, you can get it to break down the waste more efficiently and ultimately produce more oil.” But for Lamers, the highlight of 20 years at HAN BioCentre is not necessarily tied to one project. “For me, it’s the fact that we have continued to grow, that we still exist and that we have a team that supports one another and works together toward a common goal: contributing to a healthy, circular and sustainable society.” It is partly because of this that he looks to the future with enthusiasm. “I look forward to being filled with wonder for another 20 years, and passing on that sense of wonder and knowledge to students.” STRONG SENSE OF OWNERSHIP 2 decades ago, Dennis Lamers was one of 5 employees who formed the first team at HAN BioCentre. After studying biochemistry, Lamers first worked as a researcher at UMC Utrecht, but because of the travel time to his home town of Cuijk, he decided to look for something else. “I also wanted a job where I could gain more knowledge, share that knowledge AND help build something”, says the lecturer-researcher. “That’s what I found at the biocentre. We bought an inventory from a company that had left the Netherlands, and we just started from there. That strong sense of ownership we felt in the beginning is still here today.” 10 years ago, Lamers began a doctoral program, which he narrowly missed completing due to personal circumstances. “In the end, I also asked myself whether my life would truly be better with a title. For me, the most valuable thing is working together on research.” Dennis Lamers
6 The bag hanging in HAN BioCentre proves it can be done. The question now is how to make even more CeFem, BIOMA Lab's sustainable alternative to leather. "Because in our ideal world, there will soon be no need to slaughter animals for leather or cut down trees for textiles and paper", says Charlotte van Alem, ‘biodesigner’ and founder of BIOMA Lab. It's a distant prospect, but a key driver for Van Alem and co-owner Yvonne Das. Together, they’re developing biomaterials based on green chemistry in hopes of changing the world. "We’re 2 girls in a biolab who want to show that things can be done differently." KOMBUCHA AS A RAW MATERIAL One example of doing things differently is creating a bag that at first glance is made of leather, but whose raw material is the waste product of kombucha. Kombucha is the fermented tea that has become popular as a natural substitute for soda. It works like this: kombucha is made by adding live yeast and bacteria to tea and letting it stand for a while. Fermentation creates a kind of jelly-like pancake in the tea called SCOBY, which is largely discarded by kombucha brewers. That pancake consists of bacterial cellulose, basically a network of very fine fibers. Like ordinary cellulose (extracted from plants and trees), those fibers can form the raw material for paper or textiles. PURSES, BELLS AND WALLETS "We succeeded in using bacterial cellulose to develop a material that has the same look and feel as leather", Das says. "So it’s also water-repellent, while by nature it’s water-absorbent. We can use this material to make purses, belts and wallets." The research for CeFem took years. Van Alem first brewed her own kombucha to grow the bacterial cellulose. "But that was labor intensive", she says. "And it wasn't circular, while we wanted to combine the brewing of kombucha with the resulting bacterial cellulose." A ‘LEATHER’ BAG MADE FROM TEA Charlotte van Alem and Yvonne Das can make a bag out of tea. Their company BIOMA Lab uses the waste generated from brewing kombucha to make material similar to leather. With the help of HAN BioCentre, they are now investigating how to scale up production.
7 From there, Van Alem decided to contact brewers for a collaboration and 2 years ago she contacted HAN BioCentre, which specializes in fermentation and at the time had just finished another project on bacterial cellulose. The main research question: how can brewing kombucha be properly combined with developing bacterial cellulose? CONSISTENT QUALITY "To scale up, the most important thing is getting a consistent quality. The question is how do we achieve a sufficient supply of cellulose from different brewers that is also of the same quality? And even before that, there’s the question: how do we even measure the quality of bacterial cellulose? HAN BioCentre is helping us with these kinds of research questions." Exactly what happens in that ‘pancake’ and what factors affect the cultivation of cellulose has since been studied. Now the search is on for the right mix of yeast and bacteria, and then which ‘diet’ works best. Das: "The coordination of the 2 processes, making delicious kombucha and growing enough bacterial cellulose, is proving to be complicated. As we steer for optimal biomass, kombucha becomes more acidic. If the kombucha is leading, the cellulose is not optimal." RIGHT BANDWITH So it’s about searching for a bandwidth within which the kombucha brewers can operate. "Ultimately, we want to use HAN's knowledge to inform our brewers so they can make marketable kombucha as well as sufficient cellulose." Meanwhile, BIOMA Lab has already sold the ne- cessary products and the first user feedback is being shared. "For example, it’s still a question for us whether the material should be thicker, or even better able to repel water. That should be shown by testing it in practice. Based on that, we can further optimize that process again. biomalab.nl Charlotte van Alem (l) and Yvonne Das
8 CEFEM: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO LEATHER BIOMA Lab has developed a truly sustainable alternative to leather with CeFem. It is 100% biobased, made from bacterial cellulose (from kombucha, for example) and has similar properties to leather: soft, flexible, strong and water-repellent. The name CeFem refers to Cellulose, Fermentation and ‘Feminine’, because the company is run by women. “Leather is a labor-intensive product, for which many chemicals are used and animals are killed”, says Charlotte van Alem, founder of BIOMA Lab. “Also, many plants and trees are used to make textiles and paper out of cellulose. This negatively impacts the environment and climate. We believe that cellulose via fermentation will become the raw material of the future. It’s circular and can be made locally.” The decision to start CeFem, and so focus on leather, is very deliberate. “With bacterial cellulose you can also make packaging, or textiles. But we find leather more interesting”, says Yvonne Das, co-owner. “So far, only plastic has been seen as an alternative to leather. Then it’s called ‘vegan leather’, which is just greenwashing and fosil-based. We want to change that.” Bram Visscher of HAN BioCentre at the bioreactor
9 GREEN DEAL CHANGES EUROPEAN CLOTHING INDUSTRY How do you know if the clothing you wear was truly produced sustainably? And where, for example, does the material come from? Much will change for the European clothing industry as part of the Green Deal. Starting in 2027, the European Union will require fashion companies to provide every new garment with a so-called Digital Product Passport (DPP). This DPP shows the entire supply chain, from raw materials and production to CO2 emissions, water consumption, and recycling options. This is an important step towards a more transparent, fair, and sustainable textile industry. Together with the Fashion Research & Technology research group at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Biobased Innovations research group of HAN, connected to HAN BioCentre will work on the M-DPP (Mole- cular Digital Product Passport) project, starting in 2026. A working prototype of the passport will be developed within this project. HAN will be involved in setting up the data structure and molecular analyses. ‘FROM COTTON TO COLOR’ TRANSFORMS COTTON TO MOLECULES The textile industry is currently facing a significant environmental challenge generating 45 million tons of waste cotton textiles. In the SIA KIEM GoChem project ‘From cotton to color’ the research group Biobased Innovations together with partner BioFashionTech is developing an enzymatic process for transforming natural cotton fibers into biobased molecules. These molecules are thereafter used as secondary raw material to produce biobased pigments for textiles. BML (Biology and Medical Laboratory research) students were able to optimize the process parameters for the first enzymatic step and the fermentation process parameters for the second pigment production step. In a final experiment old cotton lab coats were successfully used in a proof of concept study at 60-liter scale from which a first batch of red pigment was produced. To become commercially attractive further process optimization is needed. This initiative aligns with Dutch government and EU regulations mandating textile recycling by 2050. biofashiontech.com SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES AS SOLUTION FOR THREADS OF TOMORROW
10 PROFESSOR IN DRUG DISCOVERY DENNIS LÖWIK: “THE WHOLE OF THE NETHERLANDS SHOULD SOON KNOW HOW TO FIND US” As of 2024, Dennis Löwik (56) serves as Professor in Drug Discovery, leading one of the school’s 2 research groups. In the coming years, he aims to further expand the center’s activities, strengthen its visibility, and advance early-stage drug research. When Dennis Löwik looks ahead, he outlines a clear vision for the future. He foresees a research group to which companies from across the Netherlands can turn to for the design and development of pharmaceuticals and related bioactive compounds. A typical request might be: We aim to develop a substance that repels ticks, can you design one based on this particular odor profile? “My ambition”, Löwik explains, “is that we will be able to translate such questions rapidly into concrete molecular designs, enabling us to provide a scientifically grounded formulation for a substance that truly works.” The research center is still a few steps away from that scenario, however. Drug Discovery was established 4 years ago by Löwik’s predecessor, Pedro Hermkens. It currently employs 4 lecturer-researchers and 2 technicians. “I want to expand the team in the coming years so that more people can engage in drug research. Moreover, lecturer-researchers currently devote a substantial portion of their time to teaching. A better balance between teaching and research is needed. Securing additional grants will help create that balance by freeing up more time for research.” FIELD OF PEPTIDES Löwik has worked as a lecturer in organic chemistry at Radboud University for 24 years, where he is an associate professor. “Already as a student I wanted to work in drug research, but at first I ended up in the peptide field, at a time when peptides were not considered drug candidates but materials. Gradually I moved toward medicinal chemistry and worked on cell-penetrating peptides: small protein fragments that can enter a cell and carry substan- ces with them. For example, I conduct research on how to deliver substances to specific locations in the body. After all, you want to send anti-cancer drugs only to cancer cells. But that targeting is very difficult - as evidenced by the fact that people often lose their hair during chemotherapy.” Since last academic year, he has combined his university position with the professorship at HAN, working 2.5 days a week for each institution. PROCESS OF 15 YEARS His core mission within Drug Discovery is to improve the earliest stage of drug research. “The whole process now takes an average of 15 years and costs around 1 billion euros. If we can take smarter starting points for drug discovery, we can progress through the process more quickly. For example, it would save hundreds of millions if we could better predict in advance whether a drug will pass the clinical phase. If a drug fails at that stage, it is extremely costly.” In speeding up the process, artificial intelligence (AI) has an important role to play at various stages, Löwik believes. "A lot of drugs work like a key in a lock. Having found the right key, a process in your body turns on or off. Among other things, we can use AI to find the right molecules, the keys, more quickly. At the moment, that still requires a great deal of human effort."
11 Once he gets talking, it quickly becomes clear that the subject is close to Löwik’s heart. But with his new position he has entered a different educational world than the one he is used to: that of the university of applied sciences. The research conducted at HAN is much more ‘demand-driven’, with companies playing an important role. “For example, I am currently working on a grant application for a public–private partnership with TropIQ to help combat malaria. We aim to develop a substance that repels mosquitoes and works better than DEET, which smells unpleasant, is not very effective, and is not particularly healthy. The first results achieved by our students are already promising.” It is a different approach from what he is used to in the university environment. “If you approached such a topic academically, you might first study how mosquitoes’ noses work. At HAN, the research is more applied, and the goal is to develop solutions more quickly. These two worlds could complement each other very well. Three of our students are already working at Pivot Park in Oss on a project for Radboud University. I see many more opportunities for collaboration in that regard.” han.nl/drug-discovery Dennis Löwik
12 NIJMEGEN-BASED TROPIQ IS A FORERUNNER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA TropIQ Health Sciences has been collaborating with HAN BioCentre for many years. The company from Nijmegen plays a central role in the fight against malaria and specializes in research on vaccines, medicines, and repellents. Co-founder Koen Dechering shares insights into their partnership, expertise, and current research on malaria control. His fascination with malaria began 30 years ago with a simple question: how is it possible for a parasite to live in both a human and a mosquito? “Those are two completely different living environments”, says Koen Dechering, Vice President of Business Deve- lopment. “It’s like we as humans being able to live on Earth AND on Mars.” After completing his PhD research at Radboud University and spending a long time developing drugs at pharmaceutical company Organon, he decided 14 years ago to join several others in founding TropIQ. Their goal was to build a bridge between the academic world – where valuable malaria research was being conducted – and pharmaceutical companies and foundations eager to combat the disease. Since then, the company has primarily supported other researchers. “If you look at the portfolio of malaria drugs currently in development worldwide, we’ve contributed to 70 percent of it.” TropIQ specializes in large-scale testing of compounds and vaccines for effectiveness. The focus is no longer just on malaria, but on all diseases transmitted by insects and ticks. “What makes us unique is that, among other things, we grow the malaria parasite ourselves and can mimic the entire life cycle in our lab. This gives us a constant source of high-quality research material and allows us to test compounds at an early stage.” BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY TropIQ also initiates its own research projects. This may involve new testing technologies or new molecules for drugs or vaccines. For those in-house projects in particular, TropIQ is working with HAN BioCentre. “We are a biology company, but we operate at the intersection of biology and chemistry. That’s why we have partners in chemistry.” The collaboration came about through Pedro Hermkens, former director of the School of Applied Biosciences and Chemistry, of which HAN BioCentre is a part. Dechering and Hermkens know each other from their time together at Organon. One of the prominent (student) projects at the biocentre, which is still ongoing, focuses on developing new substances that repel mosquitoes and ticks. “We built an AI model that predicts whether a che- mical compound has mosquito repellent properties”, explains Dechering. “We can test that in our lab and then work with HAN’s chemists to improve the molecule. That optimization involves about 50 different parameters. People are good at overseeing that complexity. For students, such projects are also fun. They create a compound and we test it. Students then come here to observe, which makes everything very tangible. In that respect, HAN does a great job of connecting education with the professional field.” ALTERNATIVE FOR DEET Initial results of the research on mosquito and tick repellents are promising. That’s why a grant application was recently submitted to continue the research. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a lotion or spray for personal protection as a better alternative to DEET. “DEET is unpleasant to use, requires very high concentrations, damages plastics, and has li- mited effectiveness.” TropIQ focuses on repellents because preventing mosquito bites is the best protection against malaria. “If you look at malaria control, the greatest successes have come from preventing bites – for example, by distributing bed nets for people to sleep under. Prevention works better than medication.”
13 Still, it’s no silver bullet. Malaria has been a major problem for decades, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, but also in parts of Asia and Latin America. Each year, an estimated 263 million people are infected, and about 600,000 die from the disease – mostly young children. Research into combating malaria has been ongoing for decades. “One reason it takes so long is that a parasite is much harder to combat than a virus”, says Dechering, returning to the question that sparked his fascination years ago. “The parasite hides inside the body and can adapt to its host. For example, in humans it lives in red blood cells, while in mosquitoes it resides in the stomach wall.” PARASITES MULTIPLY FAST Malaria parasites also multiply at an astonishing rate. A single mosquito can carry up to 15,000 copies. When it bites, about 50 to 100 of those enter the human body, where they multiply again. “During this replication, mistakes sometimes occur, creating variations. These can accidentally provide an advantage over the standard strain, making the variant resistant to drugs. Over time, that variant becomes dominant. That’s why new treatments are constantly needed.” What also makes research challenging is that malaria is considered a neglected disease. Despite its scale, relatively little funding is allocated. “That’s partly because it mainly occurs in the Southern Hemisphere and not in the Western world.” Hence the mission of TropIQ. “We are impact- driven”, says Dechering. “Our philosophy is that people can only develop and participate economically if they are healthy. And on a global scale, the greatest inequality in that respect lies between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. We aim to reduce that gap.” To that end, significant strides have been made in malaria research in recent years. There are now 2 vaccines on the market that provide protection to about half of all young children. “The ideas for these vaccines originated in the lab where I began my PhD research in 1993. That’s how long it takes. And they’re still not perfect, but we’re learning a lot from them right now. This knowledge will allow us to improve the next generation of vaccines in a targeted way. In that sense, it’s a hopeful time. tropiq.nl Koen Dechering
14 PROFESSOR CHRISTOF FRANCKE WORKS WITH ‘WASTE’ TO RESPOND TO LOOMING WORLD DISASTERS Christof Francke was officially installed as Professor in Biobased Innovations on Thursday 3 July 2025. He shares his ideas, talks about the special research projects and sounds the alarm. “Back in 1972, the Club of Rome warned for the consequences of economic growth and environmental pollution. But still too little is happening in the world. We’ve been idle for 50 years. While disasters and countless deaths await us if we do nothing now.” Christof Francke proclaims an alarming message as newly-installed professor in Biobased Innovations within the School of Applied Biosciences and Che- mistry. He’s not the first to sound the alarm and won't be the last either. "The challenges we face are of an exponential nature. And our reptilian brain can't handle that kind of phenomena. It’s not felt immediately, as nothing has changed the next day. So we always start to work on solutions much too late." To avoid world disasters, a resource transition is urgently needed, Francke teaches. The world currently runs on oil. This leads to CO2 emissions, which raise the earth's temperature, disrupt the ecosystem and jeopardize food production. All the while, the world's population is growing. "We must therefore move toward a circular, biobased economy." WHITE COATS AND DATA HAN's research group in Biobased Innovations, which Francke has headed for the past year, is making a small contribution to that enormous transition. Working with partners and students to develop and continue developing key technologies. This is done in a ‘wet lab’ (white coat and goggles) and a ‘dry lab’ (computers, software and data). The research focusses on the effective and circular use of organic streams to make food, raw materials and products. "Our main specialty is making something out of existing organic material", Francke explains. For example, used toilet paper is turned into resin that can be used in paint, bamboo is transformed into wood glue, and methane leaking from landfills is captured for plastic production. "We can reduce any natural material to the molecular level. From there we can make something again. And we can work out its composition by measuring it." MUSHROOM GROWER In another project, the composting of manure has been investigated for the growing of mushrooms, so that a yield prediction can be made based on the microorganisms present in the compost. "And why is that of interest to our school? The methodology we are developing to map what the as-yet-unknown microorganisms in the compost are doing and how they are changing can also be used more broadly. For soil health, for example. By looking at the biodiversity." In that respect, the mushroom compost research is symbolic of the projects that the research group is focusing on under Francke's leadership. "We support companies that are working toward a circular, biobased economy and, when selecting projects, we look critically at what additional knowledge they bring. Because knowledge development is key for us. We need to learn from it so we can then use the new knowledge more broadly." 10 YEARS OF BIOBASED RESEARCH Francke, meanwhile, has been with HAN for more than 10 years and is affiliated with HAN BioCentre.
15 From 2016, he was associate professor in Bioinformatics. In July 2024, he became professor in Biobased Innovations. In his current role, he sets the frameworks for the research group and sets the course. One of his missions is to eliminate the distinction between research and education. "We are HAN University of Applied Sciences, with an emphasis on ‘applied’. In other words, we learn together with students and develop knowledge together. Actually, much like a traditional university does. A traditional university of applied sciences had courses, in which information was shared with students classically and through worn-out experiments. But the world is evolving so quickly that students are not adequately prepared for the field in that way. Much more 'short-cycling' is needed in projects." CONTINUITY What will make him satisfied, looking back on his time as professor once he retires? "My parents ran a butcher shop. So, I firmly believe in the family business, a way of doing business not focused on profit but on continuity. If we are still relevant in 10 years, I will be very satisfied. But that will only be possible if we focus on developing knowledge that is needed in 10 years' time and if we manage to make large, long-term investments in people and facilities. That’s what I’m committed to." han.nl/biobased-innovations Christof Francke
16 HYBRID LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT PIVOT PARK: CONNECTING COMPANIES AND KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTIONS The Drug Discovery research group at HAN University of Applied Sciences has been active at Pivot Park in Oss since 2021. In 2024, they relocated to a new bigger research lab within Pivot Park. Here, researchers, lecturers, and students collaborate on innovative projects at the intersection of chemistry and biomedical sciences focusing on the early phase of drug development. Examples include the development of new cancer drugs, the design of inhibitors for protein-protein interactions, and the identification of markers for the cellular localization of drugs. The research group collaborates closely with partners at Pivot Park, such as QTM Biosciences and Precision Medicine, as well as Radboud University and Radboud University Medical Center. In addition to applied research, Pivot Park offers a learning environment for HAN students, who are introduced to the entire process from target to drug candidate through internships and the Drug Discovery minor. The lab thus forms a key hub within Pivot Park's innovation ecosystem. During the Drug Discovery minor, students not only learn the theory behind the steps in drug development through expert lessons but they also directly contribute to it in project teams. "That's precisely what I find so appealing about it", says Meerle Sa- muels, a Chemistry student at Avans University of App-lied Sciences. "That you can work at the lab in Pivot Park and be taught by experts in the field. I wanted to know if I would really enjoy this program as much as I thought. Well, I do." To gain a better understanding of the practical side of things, the minor students first carry out assignments using simulations. At certain points in the process, they must decide whether to continue developing a product or not. Thereafter, they work on real projects in the new research lab with multidisciplinary groups of students from HAN and Avans. These projects are initiated by companies at Pivot Park. According to Brigitte Drees, director of Pivot Park, a professorship on campus takes collaboration with education to a new level. "As a campus, we connect companies and knowledge institutes focused on innovations in drug development. With a professorship, we bridge the gap between education and practice in two ways. Firstly, we ensure that HAN students and lecturers can utilize the knowledge of the companies on our campus, and vice versa. Secondly, as a campus, we gain earlier recognition from our future employees." pivotpark.com Since 2024, HAN is also connected with Pharma Delta network through its drug discovery research group and with the Life Long Learning teamofHAN.Thenetworkisformedbyagroup of 40 organizations, including 25 pharma- ceutical companies. Pedro Hermkens, former professor Drug Discovery, played a key role in bringing together knowledge institutes, companies, and government bodies within this network that is partly located at Pivot Park.
17 THE BIOBASED LAB AT CONNECTR: BRINGING TOGETHER DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES At Cleantech Park Arnhem, HAN University of Applied Sciences has a hybrid learning environment called HAN@Connectr. The Biobased Innovations research group has been present in Arnhem since 2024 with a new biobased lab and project office, where students carry out relevant research and development projects. In the lab, students, researchers, lecturers, and business partners collaborate and bring together the expertise of biology, chemistry, (mechanical) engineering, and industrial product design. Technical education assistant Anne Selten maintains and coordinates the lab: "Sefanne Hakken, Peter Vink (both employees of HAN, red.) and I started in 2021 designing and setting up the lab. And we're quite proud of the result." The lab houses equipment for research into new biobased molecules and biomaterials with students from different disciplines. This includes equipment that pulls materials apart to test the strength of adhesives in building materials to high-performance liquid chromatography for separating biomolecules. It furthermore includes bioreactors for cultivating fungi, as well as thermographic cameras and equipment for measuring heat transfer. In the minor program Biobased Innovations students first deepen their knowledge within their own discipline biorefinery, fermentation and biodesign. Thereafter, they work on innovative research projects that focus on the raw material transition. One project example is the development of biobased insulation materials. Many of these materials currently in use, such as glass wool and stone wool, have a significant environmental impact and are not circular. These can be replaced by 3D printed mycelium materials with insulating properties. If this succeeds, a more sustainable and healthier insulation material can be created for houses in much more flexible forms. Another example is the Connecting Fibers project. Project leader Karin Struijs: "How cool would it be if we could develop an adhesive based on side streams from fibrous crops which can glue together the same fibrous crops to form a fully biobased wood panel or construction material.” To achieve a successful result, this project involves multidisciplinary collaboration. Biology and chemistry students are the experts in the lab, developing the actual adhesive. Construction engineers are needed to test whether this adhesive meets construction requirements. "But of course, it's also possible that we produce an adhesive that doesn't achieve our end goal, but that can be used for something else", says Struijs. "That's why we also involve students from the Industrial Product Design program of HAN." Different students participated in the project for their minor in Biobased Innovations. They chose this minor because they want to make a tangible contribution to sustainability in society through their studies. "Only by working together - companies, research, and education - and by collaborating across disciplines we can truly make impact and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint", says minor coordinator Richèle Wind. connectr.nu
18 FROM CHAMPOST TO NEXT GEN SEQUENCING: RESEARCH PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTS In 20 years, HAN BioCentre has worked on different research projects. It all started with champost and in the meantime many projects in the field of fermentation, analytical chemistry and data science are finished. Some of them were groundbreaking, sometimes the results were not what was expected, but even those projects could be called successful because they marked the start of a new project and were part of the learning curve. On the next 2 pages projects are highlighted that HAN BioCentre is proud to have been collaborating on. More projects can be found on the biocentre webpage hanuniversity.com/biocentre. CONNECTING FIBERS (Partners HAN, Boerboom, Hendriks, Hooijer, Pantanova, Radboud University, Saba, Miscancell, Bamboologic, MyQB) One of the industries which recognizes the need for transition towards the biobased economy is the building industry. The current resins and adhesives (used to produce panel boards) are all produced synthetically. Therefore, one of the missing links for the building industry to become 100% biobased are biobased resins, adhesives, and binders. In literature, there are several solutions described which are based on side streams with the biomolecules lignin and cellulose which are abundantly present in lignocellulosic biomass, but these products are not (yet) available on the market. In the SIA RAAK project ‘’Connecting fibers’’ researchers and students of the research group Biobased Innovations are looking into the development of a biobased resin, adhesive or binder for panel boards based on the side streams of lignocellulosic biomass. The new materials should meet the requirements of the building industry with respect to VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, so that it contributes to a healthy living environment. KIDNEY ORGANOIDS: PRECLINICAL TESTING EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF DRUGS (Partners HAN, Radboud UMC, Radboud University) The Drug Discovery research group is dedicated to advanced drug testing and discovery by developing more physiologically relevant models that better reflect human biology. Traditional cell-based and animal models often fail to fully predict how drugs will behave in humans. To address this challenge, the focus is on organoid technology, which allows researchers to create mi- niature versions of human organs in the laboratory. Currently, the research is centered on developing and optimizing 3D induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived kidney organoids. These models provide a powerful platform to study the beneficial effects and potential toxicity of new and existing drug candidates on kidney tissue. By improving the predictive value of preclinical testing, the aim is to enhance both the efficiency and safety of drug development, ultimately contributing to more effective therapies and a reduction in the reliance on animal testing.
19 NEXT GEN SEQUENCING IS MAPPING MICROBIAL LIFE (Partners HAN, CNC Grondstoffen, ARN B.V., BIOMA Lab, Untamed Kombucha) Development of the circular economy involves va- lorization of organic waste streams such as animal manure, organic waste, and residual streams from the food industry. These waste streams are currently processed through anaerobic digestion, composted aerobically, or left untreated. In various projects, Next Gen Sequencing has been used at HAN BioCentre to investigate which microorganisms and properties are present. In a collaboration with CNC Grondstoffen, research was conducted into how the residual stream of horse and chicken manure is transformed into compost suitable for mushroom cultivation in CNC’s industrial process. The same technique was later applied in collaboration with ARN B.V., a waste processor for Nijmegen and surrounding area, to investigate their organic waste digestion process. Together with partners from BIOMA Lab and Untamed Kombucha, HAN BioCentre is currently working on the production of artificial leather, based on a residual stream from kombucha fermentation. For optimization, the fermentation conditions are exa- mined, as well as the composition and functions of the microorganisms present. METHANE TO MATERIALS (Partners HAN, Avans, Agrologistiek, Sweco) Over the last two centuries, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have more than doubled, largely due to human-related activities. Methane is a po- werful greenhouse gas and the Netherlands supports the global goal to reduce these by 30% within 10 years. But how can methane emissions be reduced? And what are the benefits? “Waste processing contributes about 20% to total global methane emissions and is the focus of our research”, explains Nardy Kip, lecturer-researcher at HAN BioCentre. Methane gas from landfills can be used to generate heat or energy. But after decades, this is no longer possible because the methane concentrations in the gas drop too low. From that moment the landfill gas is an unutilized waste stream which can be flared off up to certain methane concentrations or just emitted to the atmosphere. Bacteria are able to consume the methane from landfills and convert it into biological products such as bioplastics. HAN BioCentre demonstrated on a small scale this is possible. By bubbling methane gas from landfills through a liquid medium containing methane-consuming bacteria, the methane concentration can be halved within a few days. The bacteria convert it into the bioplastic PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate). A potential application for this bioplastic is pack- aging. In the Netherlands, 200,000 tons of plastic are used for food and beverage packaging. Partner Sweco’s calculations indicate that more than 90% of this bioplastic packaging could be derived from methane side streams. If this potential is extended to the global production of bioplastics, a huge impact can be made on reduction of greenhouse gasses. At HAN University of Applied Sciences, this research project continues through the Biotech Booster project ‘Reduce and use landfill methane’, in collaboration with partners at Avans University of Applied Sciences, Agrologistiek B.V. and Sweco.
20 NATIONAL GROWTHFUND PROGRAMS HELP STIMULATE INNOVATION There are several National Growth Fund programs that fit the mission and vision of HAN BioCentre and its research groups. Because of that, they are strongly connected to HAN BioCentre in building national networks to stimulate innovation in the Netherlands. BIOTECH BOOSTER Biotech Booster is a national program funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund that supports the commercialization of biotechnology findings in the Netherlands. Biotech Booster provides financial support, mentorship, and networking opportunities to guide scientists and entrepreneurs from the idea stage to a viable or commercial proposition. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of biotechnology have a more significant and faster impact on society. Moreover, Biotech Booster facilitates close collaborations between public and private partners in the biotechnology sector and established 5 Thematic Clusters following biotechnological focus areas: • White: Industrial Biotechnology & Production (TC 1) • Green: Agriculture & Food (TC 2) • Red: ATMP’s, Biopharmaceuticals & Associated Enabling Technologies (TC 3) • Red: Diagnostics & Services (TC 4) • Red: Vaccines, Small Molecules, Discovery & Development Platforms (TC 5) At HAN BioCentre one of Biotech Booster’s Impact Developers of Industrial Biotechnology & Production is stationed (Bob Ignacio). biotechbooster.nl PHARMANL Pharmaceutical innovation holds immense societal value. Medicines contribute significantly to improving the quality of life in our society. It is therefore crucial to ensure that the development of innovative medicines, from the initial phase to actual production, proceeds as efficiently and effectively as possible. The PharmaNL program is an initiative by and for the Dutch pharmaceutical sector. It is a national public- private consortium consisting of Leiden University, Campus Groningen, Pivot Park, in close collaboration with FAST (Centre for Future Affordable Sustainable Therapy Development). HAN BioCentre, research group Drug Discovery and the Life Long Learning team of HAN are strongly connected to this growth fund, for example by developing courses and post-graduate education for professionals working in the pharmaceutical sector. PharmaNL aims to strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain within the Netherlands and address bottlenecks, specifically by: • Creating a shared infrastructure for the development, scaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands, for use by pharmaceutical start-ups, scale-ups, and academic research groups. • Enhancing the pharmaceutical education offerings with international appeal and attractiveness. pharmanl.org
21 CELLULAR AGRICULTURE NL (CAN) The global demand for meat and dairy will continue to rise. Given the challenges that expansion of current agriculture brings, there is a lot of attention for alternative protein sources. Cellular Agriculture is a collection of promising technologies that can produce familiar meat or dairy products, but in an animal and planet-friendly way. CAN is a foundation, founded by entrepreneurs, scientists, pioneers and foodies who see cellular agriculture as a way to make our food system more sustainable. HAN BioCentre is consortiumpartner within this community, working on protein production using precision fermentation. Cellular agriculture (CA) is a radically innovative technology in which animal products are made from cells instead of whole animals. In CA meat (popularly known as cultured meat), the meat grows from animal stem cells, which are derived from animals through painless biopsies. In CA milk, components from milk are produced by micro-organisms through precision fermentation. In both cases, the cells produce the same animal proteins, fats, etc. that are obtained through conven- tional production. This also allows products to be made with the same taste, structure, nutritional values and preparation as traditional animal products. The same products are produced in a new value chain, which is better for people, animals and the planet. en.cellulaireagricultuur.nl
22 2011 2015 2021 2012 2014 2016 2006 January official opening and start with symposium. Started as Research group Industrial Microbiology with a small team and labs at Laan van Scheut 2 in Nijmegen. Name change of lectoraat to Biodiscovery Symposium and market to celebrate 5th year anniversary. RAAK (SIA) project Tailor-made microbial oil awarded. Analysis, production and application of yeast oil with specific composition produced from organic sidestreams. June Installation Pedro Hermkens as professor Drug Discovery, partly in Nijmegen en partly at Pivot Park in Oss. November: opening new biocentre labs at Laan van Scheut 2. Symposium 10 year anniversary RAAK (SIA) project awarded on Champost. First long-term research project Allocation Biodiscovery Budget (2013 - 2016) Strategy session augustus with HAN professor lean Vincent Wiegel and Cees van de Hondel at Landgoed de Biestheuvel te Hoogeloon: implementation Lean and 5S methods in growing organization. BIOCENTRE TIME LINE 2006-2026 2013
23 2022 2025 2026 2022 2024 2025 Start research line on kidney organoids within lectoraat Drug Discovery March: Opening Biobased lab at Cleantech Park Arnhem Partner in National Growth Fund program with Biotech Booster. July Installation Christof Francke as professor of the research group Biobased Innovations, with an innovation market. April Name change to Lectoraat Biobased Innovations June Due to Covid pandemic, postponed celebration of 15 years BioCentre. June Installation Dennis Löwik as professor of research group Drug Discovery Celebration 20 years HAN BioCentre with symposium
24 Guido Matthee – Founder HAN BioCentre in 2006 ‘I dreamed of incorporating practical experience earlier in the program. Especially when I saw that the competency-based learning lacked serious case studies where students were truly taken seriously. In my view, the added value of the biocentre was and remains that the relationship with the professional field has become much closer. Companies found it easier to connect with HAN University of Applied Sciences. And lecturers, in addition to teaching, can also develop research skills and further expand their professional knowledge. A valuable expansion of their career opportunities.’ Nick van Biezen - Former Projectleader Fermentation Technology and co-founder HAN BioCentre ‘I was involved in the biocentre’s launch from the start. Together with Guido and Christien, the three of us were responsible for setting up the contract research team. I’ve worked on some great projects and enjoyed many wonderful moments during my time at HAN BioCentre, including the many incredibly bright students from the minors. And I’ve always enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the mix of teaching and research. My advice: Keep sharing research facilities with ease, and remain accessible to small startups as well!’ Christien Lokman – Former professor Industrial Microbiology and founder of the research group Biobased Innovations ‘The biocentre is an independent research center for and with (SME) companies, strongly connected to education. Securing an internal grant allowed us to acquire expertise in not only molecular biology and fermentation technology, but also bioinformatics and analytical chemistry. This was the turning point for an excellent multidisciplinary team of researchers and analysts, enabling it to become a robust research center.’ Pedro Hermkens – Former professor Drug Discovery and founder lectorate Drug Discovery ‘The biocentre is the driving force behind connecting the business community, various research areas of the professorships, and education, based on the principle of linking innovation and sustainability through entrepreneurship. This allows students to quickly gain exposure to the business world and societal challenges, for example, at Pivot Park. What I still find special is the first meeting we held, attended by 10 companies, 4 educational institutions, 2 provinces, 2 municipalities, and 2 science parks. This meeting ultimately proved to be the foundation for the creation of the Pharma Delta consortium. I’m quite proud of that!’ A WORD FROM THE FOUNDERS OF HAN BIOCENTRE AND HAN’S RESEARCH GROUPS
www.han.nlRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODY1MjQ=