International nano prize awarded to MSc student
On 1 February, the Institute of Nanotechnology International Student Award 2012 was awarded to Marie Krogsgaard, MSc student in Nanoscience at Aarhus University. She won this prestigious international prize for her MSc project, which involves developing a new type of ‘glue’ for wounds and tissue. The glue is inspired by common blue mussels.
2012.02.10
Marie Krogsgaard
The panel of judges, which consisted of experts from academia and industry, was impressed by the level of technical depth and creativity in Marie Krogsgaard’s project and by her academic results.
Her project is entitled Mussel Inspired Potential Tissue Adhesives – Design, Synthesis and Characterisation and is concerned with designing and synthesising new functional molecules based on the beards of the mussels – technically known as byssal threads. Common mussels use these threads – which are largely made up of proteins – to hold onto rocks and other marine surfaces. Not only are the threads extremely strong and flexible, but they are also capable of repairing themselves. They have a chemical functionality called DOPA, which has a special ability to bind to metal ions. By adding DOPA to other molecules, it could be possible to produce an adhesive that could ‘glue’ tissue in connection with major operations, for example.
“Marie is an incredibly talented student, and she deserves this fine prize. This is further evidence that nanoscience students at Aarhus University are able to compete with other European students at an international level. I’m therefore convinced that our interdisciplinary approach to education is extremely valuable. I’m particularly pleased that Marie has been awarded the prize for her work efforts and results in connection with her Master’s project. This shows that we have skilled students at all levels of the degree programme in Nanoscience,” says Professor Niels Christian Nielsen, Director of the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University.
Marie Krogsgaard recently commenced her PhD degree programme at the iNANOschool, where she will continue working on her project with her supervisor – Associate Professor Henrik Birkedal, iNANO and Department of Chemistry.
This is the second time that the Institute of Nanotechnology International Student Award has been presented. All MSc students in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology can be nominated for the prize. Candidates are evaluated by the panel of judges on three points: the significance of their scientific results, their academic excellence and the potential of the research project.
Read more about the Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN) at http://www.nano.org.uk/.
Contact details
Marie Krogsgaard
mariekrogsgaard@chem.au.dk
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