Department of Chemistry Annual Report 2019
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Department of Chemistry Annual Report 2019 Scan the QR-code and read more at kemi.dtu.dk DTU Technical University of Denmark Department of Chemistry Kemitorvet Building 207 DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby kemi.dtu.dk Picture: Greg Stewart/SLAC A well-tuned Department The DTU Chemistry Management Group (left to right) Lise Peitersen, Erling H. Stenby, Jens O. Duus, Inge Holkmann Olsen, and Klaus B. Møller. Content Welcome to the DTU Chemistry Annual Report In 2019, the researchers of DTU Chemistry and we are glad to present some of these expanded by approximately 12 % to 66 new 2019 – a year characterized by innovation, were very productive. The number of researchers as seminar speakers. These students in 2019. 3 Welcome evaluation, and academic excellence. Peer-Reviewed articles (228) rose by 30 % inspiring talks are fueling new ideas at the 4 Faculty: Synergy as compared to 2018. Three very promising Department. In 2019, a record number of 26 PhD students a driving force In the fall, an international research evaluation patents were obtained and currently, we began their research at the Department 6 Recruiting enzymes for panel consisting of four international have 28 ongoing patent-cases. In addition, Significant external funding has once again while 17 graduated. It is inspiring to see how new tasks in chemistry researchers visited the Department to scruti nize several DTU Chemistry spin-out companies strengthened our research groups with productive our PhD school is. Our research our activities. The overall feedback was very are flourishing with new investments and talents from Denmark and abroad. It has also groups benefit vastly from the curiosity 8 A peek into the molecular positive. Especially our ‘translational research’ partnerships. made new projects possible and even new and dedication of our PhD students, who engine room – basic research that industry and society infrastructures. In 2020, the construction of are closely supervised by our faculty. The 10 A novel approach to treatment can easily benefit from – impressed the panel. The Department takes great pride in the screening platform DTU SCore will begin PhD school assists the development of these of Rheumatoid Arthritis Since translational research is a core part of contributing to important, groundbreaking thanks to a 10.6 MDKK grant from the Novo young scientists through power performance 12 Smart chemistry to save vast the ‘DTU-dna’, we are very pleased with the research networks. Thus, I am excited to Nordisk Foundation. The new infrastructure courses, writing workshops, participation amounts of CO2 panel’s focus on this area as a clear strength. see several researchers at DTU Chemistry at DTU Chemistry will – combined with the in international conferences, and close being a part of government-designated DK-OPENSCREEN platform – be a unique collaboration with the industry. Exclusive 14 Shedding Light on Molecular In conclusion, the panel also highlighted the ESS Lighthouse environments. The PIPPI- university based high-throughput screening PhD-alliances between universities, such Recognition Mechanisms successful recruitment of talented faculty consortium is currently in its final phase. platform in Denmark and serve as a starting as EuroTech and Nordic Five Tech, are 16 PhD from DTU Chemistry in recent years as an important part of the Through several years, the project, well repre- point for chemical biology research and early enhancing the Department’s synergy and 26 Master Theses 2019 positive path the Department is moving on. sented by members of the DTU Chemistry drug discovery. collaboration with other excellent research 27 Publications During the visit, the panel followed a well- ‘protein squad’, has thoroughly investigated institutions. planned schedule to get a full insight into e.g. protein-protein interactions in relation Once again, we had a record year in the 28 Events our research – e.g. through meetings with all to product formulations. The exciting work uptake of new students, which shows that All in all, 2019 has been a very productive 30 Highlights 2019 research areas. A poster session by the PhD done by the consortium forms a great both ‘Chemistry and Technology’ and year in all areas of the Department. We are 33 Key numbers students added another dimension to this starting point for future protein projects. ‘Human Life Science Engineering’ are popular definitely on an exciting track and doing 34 Acknowledgement insight. In the evaluation report, the panel choices amongst the new generation of bright well on projects that is part of our core dna. 36 Staff pointed out potential areas of improvement Our researchers and advanced infrastructure engineers. ‘Chemistry and Technology’ I hope you will enjoy this report. and suggestions on how to fulfil new goals. are in growing demand. Researchers and enrolled 88 students and ‘Human Life Science This has inspired new ideas for the future companies from all over the world are Engineering’ 60 students. Furthermore, Erling H. Stenby departmental strategy. reaching out to us for closer collaboration the MSc programme, Applied Chemistry, Head of Department 2 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 RESEARCH AREAS Faculty: Synergy as a driving force The research groups work effectively together across expertises, which gives a synergy effect to research at the Department. That is the conclusion from the Heads of Sections at the Department and an external evaluation panel. "It has been an extremely productive and favourable year," says chemical substances. According to Head of Section Jens Ø. Duus, Professor Klaus B. Møller, Head of Section of Physical and Mogens has brought strong analytical skills. Biophysical Chemistry at DTU Chemistry. The section of Physical and Biophysical Chemistry now has Professor Head of Section of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Professor Kristoffer Almdal in the fold. He is interested in polymers as a class of Jens Ø. Duus, continues: materials. From a fundamental perspective, he is strong on subjects such as the development of polymer synthesis methods, the physics “We see a faculty that has been supported for its projects by private of polymer melts and solutions, and especially self-organization Physical and Biophysical Chemistry: foundations. This really strengthens the research at the department”. phenomena. From a more applied aspect, he does research on func- Sections Günther H. J. Peters, Wei Yan, Irene Shim, tional polymeric nanoparticles and sensors, polymeric biomaterials, Niels Engholm Henriksen, René Wugt Larsen, In particular, the fields of biological chemistry and supramolecular polymer degradation, adhesion, and interfaces in polymer composites. Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Klaus B. Møller, Esben Thormann, Kasper chemistry have received a financial boost, but the Heads of Sections The Section of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Planeta Kepp, Sonia Coriani, Kristoffer Almdal, Pernille Harris, and Kenny Ståhl. say that all research groups have positioned themselves very strongly “Kristoffer is a huge capacity in the field of polymers and materials. comprises activities within Catalysis and Sustainable in recent time. With him and e.g. Professor Esben Thormann we are somewhat of Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. a powerhouse in the field of research, and it has positioned us very Common themes are the synthesis and characterization In the fall of 2019, DTU Chemistry went through a comprehensive well when it comes to both basic research and research aimed at the of small to very large inorganic and organic molecules. research evaluation and the department was awarded "a very high industry,” says Professor Klaus B. Møller. The research areas are homogenous and heterogenous Two new Professors continue grade" by an external evaluation panel of high-profile scientists. catalysis; gas separation and absorption; development of The panel praised the individual strengths of each research group Takes pride in teaching new materials; conversion of biomass; electrochemistry; protein research and great synergy effects across the Department, including the PhD All of Faculty is committed to the education of future chemists and bioelectrochemistry; graphene nanoparticles; coordination school, as well as technology transfer efforts. contributes to this through teaching at a high level. A good example chemistry; chemical biology; NMR spectroscopy. In 2019, long-time faculty members Pernille Harris and Günther is Professor Robert Madsen who won the award as ‘Lecturer of the H. J. Peters were appointed Professors at DTU Chemistry. The two Heads of sections also highlight that faculty, in 2019, year’ at DTU (read more under Highlights pp. 32). Physical and Biophysical Chemistry They will continue research into the properties of proteins, have been very productive in regards to publications – in fact, The Section of Physical and Biophysical Chemistry which is an important field when it comes to developing a record number – and several of these were published in high- As a new initiative DTU introduced evening teaching in 2019 and comprises activities within pure and applied physical sustainable solutions for protein-based pharmaceuticals and impact journals. DTU Chemistry was in the front line with implementation and chemistry. It covers both microscopic atomic-level industrial enzymes. Recently, both Pernille and Günther have successful execution of evening teaching in a core course in physical descriptions and the macroscopic thermodynamic been working on a major pan-European Horizon