Advances in light-directed DNAsynthesis have renewed interest in photoacid-generator (PAG)-based chemistriesas a path toward scalable, high-density oligonucleotide fabrication. Byleveraging spatially patterned proton release to drive acid-catalyseddeprotection, these systems promise cost-efficient production of customsequences. However, recent progress has also highlighted key challenges thatstill limit performance, including uncontrolled proton diffusion that degradesspatial resolution and the difficulty of maintaining synthesis fidelity at ever-smallerfeature sizes. Together, these issues define the current frontier in developingreliable and miniaturized PAG-enabled DNA nano-synthesis platforms.
Non-conventional solvents providea physically and chemically stable environment for carrying out liquid-phasechemical reactions. Their dielectric behavior-and therefore their solvationproperties-differs significantly from those of traditional solvents.Importantly, these solvation properties can be tuned by adjusting the liquid'scomposition, such as by changing the salts' concentration or adding cosolvents. This tunability can be used tocontrol how ionic species diffuse through complex matrices, including thoseused in PAG-based DNA synthesis. In particular, byprecisely regulating proton diffusion, the acid-driven reactions required fornucleotide addition can be confined to the exact location and moment where theyare needed. This enables high-fidelity, high-density DNA nano-synthesis usingPAGs.
In this thesis, you willinvestigate the mechanisms governing proton diffusion in non-conventionalliquid media, using electrochemical experiments and potentially complementarymodelling approaches
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Bioscience Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Matias Jobbagy (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-108. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Non-conventional solvents providea physically and chemically stable environment for carrying out liquid-phasechemical reactions. Their dielectric behavior-and therefore their solvationproperties-differs significantly from those of traditional solvents.Importantly, these solvation properties can be tuned by adjusting the liquid'scomposition, such as by changing the salts' concentration or adding cosolvents. This tunability can be used tocontrol how ionic species diffuse through complex matrices, including thoseused in PAG-based DNA synthesis. In particular, byprecisely regulating proton diffusion, the acid-driven reactions required fornucleotide addition can be confined to the exact location and moment where theyare needed. This enables high-fidelity, high-density DNA nano-synthesis usingPAGs.
In this thesis, you willinvestigate the mechanisms governing proton diffusion in non-conventionalliquid media, using electrochemical experiments and potentially complementarymodelling approaches
Type of internship: Master internship
Required educational background: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Bioscience Engineering, Materials Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
University promotor: Philippe Vereecken (KU Leuven)
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact Matias Jobbagy (< email deleted for security reasons >)
The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-108. Mention this reference code in your application.
Applications should include the following information:
- resume
- motivation
- current study
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
