After nearly a decade of university studies, spanning Maastricht, Hasselt, and Leuven, Gideon has found his ideal professional role at Antleron. For the past three years, he has been passionately contributing to both commercial and research projects, excelling in in-depth experimentation to identify technically optimal and economically feasible solutions. His strength lies in blending bioprocess expertise with engineering technologies. He develops 3D printing and (bio)sensing advancements utilizing innovative materials and coatings. Gideon's ability to think outside of the box and his hands-on approach to experimentation are key innovation drivers. He makes a valuable contribution to Antleron’s team of multidisciplinary specialists, which invents and develops biomanufacturing solutions and infrastructure platforms to bring next-generation therapies faster and closer to patients in a sustainable way.
Winding road to biosensor development
To further develop his youthful interest in physics, chemistry, and biology, Gideon chose the Biomedical Sciences program at Maastricht University. After completing his bachelor's degree, he moved to Hasselt University for the master's program in 'Bioelectronics & Nanotechnology.' His thesis on biosensors transitioned seamlessly into his PhD at the Laboratory for Soft Matter and Biophysics at KU Leuven. During his PhD, Gideon focused on biosensor development and integration in a biomedical setting. He enjoys developing electronic biosensor devices by harnessing the beneficial properties of innovative materials and coatings.
Gideon’s research field fits into Antleron’s action radius. By combining cells with biomaterials, 3D printing, risk-driven (Quality-by-Design) bioprocess development and digital / soft sensor process control, Antleron co-creates ‘factory-of-the-future’ solutions. Antleron’s multidisciplinary team of specialists participates in researching and developing customized, closed system solutions for various life science processes.
After completing his PhD, Gideon started looking for a job in the industry around the Leuven region. His spontaneous application was well received. Gideon has a persistent character and a passion for deep research and development.
Biological processes and engineering technologies
At Antleron, Gideon bridges the gap between biological processes and engineering technologies. He enjoys deviating from conventional approaches to gain a deeper understanding of phenomena, which allows him to better control them and create effective solutions tailored to specific applications. “So far, I have contributed to the development of microfluidic cartridges, life-on-a-chip innovations, large scaffold structures facilitating cell growth and the associated controlled upscaling of bioreactors.”
Gideon is deeply involved in a wide range of projects, most of which focus on advanced 3D printing. The innovative applications in development at Antleron often push the boundaries of current technology. To support these, Gideon plays a crucial role in enhancing Antleron’s versatile 3D printing platform, designed to adapt seamlessly to these demanding projects. This platform integrates multiple printing techniques, specialized coatings, diverse resins, and the incorporation of various materials, addressing the varying needs of a broad array of biomedical applications.
Addressing various biomedical applications
Quite intriguing are 'life-on-a-chip' applications, where specific lab procedures are integrated into closed cartridges and bioreactors using microfluidics, enabling the automatic execution of these tasks. For example, the AstroCardia project focuses on a custom, 3D-printed bioreactor designed to sustain and monitor a living heart tissue organoid at the International Space Station to study cardiac aging. A completely different application involves developing personalized prostheses that gradually administer therapeutics in a targeted way. In addition to cartridges, Gideon also contributes to the upscaling of fixed-bed bioreactors, which enable scalable and affordable bioprocesses for personalized cell & gene therapy manufacturing.
Antleron’s scalable bioreactor platform is part of a larger landscape where Gideon and his co-fellows develop custom cell and gene therapy (CGT) processes and fast-track process optimization toward predefined objectives by using Antleron’s proprietary bioreactor and digital technologies. These Antleron innovations enable CGT to become a sustainable health solution by improving CGT quality, scalability, accessibility, and affordability.
Antleron is often involved in co-creating the proof-of-concept for custom bioprocess solutions across a wide range of life science applications, with a focus on advanced and personalized therapies. An iterative loop of proprietary bioreactor platform experiments and simulations enables Antleron to develop scalable bioprocesses that offer the agility and economy to confidently and realistically move from lab to patient.
Flourishing in Antleron’s stimulating environment
“What I particularly appreciate at Antleron is the flat organizational structure and the clear, straightforward leadership. It’s an environment where Fellows like me can truly flourish, while also forming great friendships. In addition to working on exciting projects, I also enjoy Antleron Café evenings, where one team member organizes a group activity and dinner—a fun way to connect outside the workplace.”
“My passion for my work and my hobbies often run parallel and sometimes overlap. For example, I assemble tube amplifiers and develop my own speakers. In the biological realm, I actively experiment creatively with bonsai trees. I also brew soy sauce using molds and bacteria. I enjoy combining soy sauce with preparing sushi and other Asian dishes.”
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