Ghent University Technology Park : from a local initiative towards an essential component of the Ghent knowledge innovation ecosystem

Using the case of the Ghent University and its Technology Park, we will illustrate how changing policies and practices at the level of the university concerning research valorization have an impact on our science park. We will also demonstrate how the evolving nature of our science park has a clear impact on the university, as the science park becomes more and more an integral part of the university knowledge eco-system. We will also highlight the involvement of Ghent University in the Korea Songdo Global University Campus Project

Study of the 14C-contamination potential of C-impurities in CuO and Fe

The carbon concentration in CuO and iron was determined by isolating C. The values were in agreement with results reported in other studies. Contaminating carbon from CuO and Fe was transformed to AMS targets and measured for C-14. C-traces in CuO were shown to be the major contribution to the C-14 Sample processing blank. In addition, there is a significant variability in the C-14 content of CuO observed between different production batches. The combined contamination potential of CuO and Fe was found to be 4.47-8.92 mu g recent carbon, whereas the more realistic estimate for AMS-target preparation conditions ranged between 1.63 and 3.24 mu g recent carbon, depending on the C-14 level in CuO

On the stability of mediaeval inorganic pigments : a literature review of the effect of climate, material selection, biological activity, analysis and conservation treatments

This review is to be considered part of the development of the MEMORI dosimeter, to evaluate the impact of climate (relative humidity, temperature, illumination, etc., including volatile organic compounds) on moveable objects. In the framework of the MEMORI project, Ghent University was given the task to assess pigment degradation upon acetic acid exposure, and to collect information on pigments' stability. Moreover, to obtain a wider knowledge on the stability of common pigments, the effect of a variety of parameters was reviewed from literature. Discolouration and degradation of pigments significantly alter the legibility of polychrome works of art, so that the development of monitoring methods to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage objects is of primary importance

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics in the life sciences: a review

Proteomics concerns itself with the characterization and function of all cellular proteins, the ultimate determinants of cellular function. Mass spectrometry has emerged as the preferred method for in-depth characterization of the protein components of biological systems. Using mass spectrometry, key insights into the composition, regulation and function of molecular complexes and pathways have been gained. Now days, mass spectrometry-based proteomics has become an indispensable tool in the cellular and molecular life sciences. This review discusses current mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies

Tryptic peptide analysis of protein binders in works of art by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Comprehension of the materials, such as binding media, used by artists is of uttermost importance in restoration and in art historical studies. The most frequently used binders are drying oils and proteins; in this study focus is placed on proteins. Most actual methods for protein binder identification are based on complete hydrolyzation of the protein matter into its amino acids and separation/detection with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after derivatization. Because amino acids itself are not characteristic for a protein, identification is often based on the relative amount of 7 stable amino acids. In the current study a proteomics approach was used, in which the proteins were digested enzymatically into peptides using trypsin before being separated and detected by liquid chromatography – electronspray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Mascot (Matrix Science) was used to analyze the resulting data and for protein identification. This way, amino acid sequences could be studied that retain much more information about the proteins, their degradation and pigment-binder interactions. The protein content of homemade paint samples was extracted using different methods and analysed to select the best extraction strategy based on the number of peptides that were identified. A large dataset of 4 binders (animal glue, egg yolk, egg white and casein), mixed with 10 common pigments with different chemical properties was used to study the influence of pigments on the extraction method. Analytical characteristics of the selected method were determined. Finally the method was applied to historic paint samples. The results were compared with those obtained by traditional amino acid analysis methods

Capabilities and limitations of gel electrophoresis for elemental speciation : a laboratory's experience

Gel electrophoresis is a fractionation/separation technique that yields valuable information in the field of metalloproteomics, often referred to as metallomics. This paper is based on four years of practical experience of the authors' lab in this domain and highlights the capabilities and limitations of gel electrophoresis. Pitfalls of the technique were recognized by identifying the origin of artefacts in the separation, species degradation being the most important. Gel electrophoresis can be accomplished under either native or denaturing conditions. The speciation of vanadium and selenium among serum and yeast proteins, respectively, is sued to illustrate these two major modes. The most powerful approach is two-dimensional denaturing gel electrophoresis. This review of the methods used in our laboratory also descries the application of the two major detection techniques, autoradiography on the one hand and electrothermal vaporization - or laser ablation (LA)-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) on the other