In human cells, a meter-long DNA is condensed inside a micrometer-sized cell nucleus. Simultaneously, the genetic code must remain accessible for its replication and transcription to functional proteins.

This thesis is a collection of experimental attempts to enhance photoluminescence of fluorescent molecules and quantum dots with single gold nanorods (GNRs) and relevant applications.

The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to develop new methods forchallenging systems in liquid-state NMR using paramagnetic effects generated by thetwo-armed probe CLaNP-5.

This thesis describes the implementation and on-sky demonstration of high-resolution integral-field spectroscopy for extreme adaptive optics systems that are used to find and characterize exoplanets.

This thesis focuses on the X-ray spectral analysis of merging galaxy clusters and the plasma code development for future high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy observations.

This thesis is about the study of hydrocarbons via infrared spectroscopy.

In this thesis we investigated the ability of two-photon multifocal microscopy for single-molecule microscopy in live cells and organisms.

This thesis revolves around the electronic spectroscopy of molecules in the laboratory and the search for the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).

Promotor: T. Schmidt, Co-promotor: S. J.T. van Noort

This thesis is about cosmological inflation and its relation to observations.

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.L.V. Linnartz

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leids Instituut voor Chemisch Onderzoek (LIC)

Hot astrophysical plasma is ubiquitous in the Universe, from comets in our Solar system to the largest scale structures -- the cosmic web filaments. These hot plasmas, with the temperature of a few millions of degrees, are often observed in the X-ray wavelength range.

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leids Instituut voor Chemisch Onderzoek (LIC)

Promotores: G.W. Canters, T.J. Aartsma

Gold nanorods are biocompatible nanoparticles that present an excellent two-photon signal that can be used to get high spatial resolution inside living cells. Gold nanorods are photostable and therefore can be followed inside cells for long time, with possible applications as trackers in live cells.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Ubbink

Promotor: Prof.dr. M.A.G.J. Orrit

Promotor: J.S. Kaastra Co-promotor: E. Constantini

In this thesis, we present new laboratory data of interstellar dust analogues.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. F.F.S. van der Tak (RUG)

Bij een belangrijke onderscheiding als de Spinozaprijs, de 'Nederlandse Nobelprijs', hoort veel aandacht in de media. Een overzicht.

Op 12 september heeft Michel Orrit zijn Spinozaprijs in ontvangst genomen uit handen van OCW staatssecretaris Sander Dekker in de Koninklijke Schouwburg in Den Haag. Met de prijs is een premie gemoeid van 2,5 miljoen euro, die vrij is te besteden aan wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar keuze, en het felbegeerde…

Over the past years it has been discovered that the population of extra-solar planets is large and diverse.

Promotor: Prof.dr. I.A.G. Snellen, C.U. Keller

The genetic information of all living organisms is contained in their DNA. Cells modify the degree of DNA compaction by epigenetics, which largely determines what genes are read out and which genes are transcriptionally silent.

This thesis presents the anharmonic infrared spectra of a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Comparisons and characterizations are made based on high-resolution low-temperature gas-phase experimental spectra.

Promotie

Promotor: D. Bouwmeester, Co-promotor: D. Kraft

Promotor: I. A. G. Snellen, Co-promotor: M. A. Kenworthy

Promotores: Prof.dr. G.W. Canters, Prof.dr. T.J. Aartsma

Promotor: Prof.dr. M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: F. Calle-Vallejo

Gold nanoparticles show surprisingly strong interactions with light in the visible range, which can be divided into scattering, absorption, and photoluminescence.

Promotor: Jaap Brouwer, Co-promotor: Remus Th. Dame

This thesis is largely an experimental study on the formation of solid-state simple and complex organic molecules in the H2O-rich and CO-rich ice phases of dense interstellar clouds and dark cores.

Promotor: J.G.E.M. Fraaije, Co-Promotor: A. Kros

Astronomical observations of cold regions in the universe show a rich inventory of ices. Part of these ices may end up on planets like our own, but in that journey they will be exposed to considerable amounts of radiation.

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. Aarts, Prof.dr. J.M. van Ruitenbeek

A remarkable population of short period transiting rocky exoplanets with equilibrium temperatures on the order of 2,000 K has recently been discovered.

Promotor: Prof.dr. T. Hankemeier, Prof.dr. J.C.T. Eijkel (Twente University)

The challenge of achieving fast quantification in metabolomics is the presence of severe matrix effects during the MS analysis of complex samples.

Galaxies form and evolve through close interaction with their surroundings. As a result, the heavy elements ('metals') that are synthesized in stars, are found both inside and outside galaxies.

By growing in a soil plants change the biotic and abiotic properties of the soil in which they grow.

The recently introduced nature-originated deep eutectic solvents, so-called natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are considered as truly green solvents, which composed of natural ingredients found abundantly in organisms.

Promotie

Promotor: M. Ubbink, Co-promotor: G. Siegal

Promotie