Polytech

EMNS

EMNS - Engineering of Molecular NanoSystems

WELCOME !

The EMNS Lab is part of the Chemistry and Materials Science Department of the Brussels School of Engineering and is active in various research topics with applications mainly in the field of Health and Environment.

NANOMATERIALS FOR SENSING APPLICATIONS

Nano-bioconjugates combine the exceptional properties of nanomaterials, such as the LSPR band of gold and silver nanostructures, with those of biological macromolecules. They are valuable tools which can lead to sensors with extreme selectivity and sensitivity or to smart Drug Delivery Systems and theranostic agents.

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MOLECULAR RECOGNITION: from organic solvents to water

Molecular receptors capable of binding neutral or charged guests with a high affinity and selectivity have potential applications in fields ranging from biological and environmental monitoring to separation science and drug delivery. A notable challenge in the field is the development of receptors that work in an aqueous medium, where most biological and environmental processes occur.

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ION TRANSPORT ACROSS LIPID BILAYERS

Synthetic ion transporters are seen as potential therapeutic agents able to restore malfunctions in the natural anion transport across biological membranes by proteins. Our work focuses on the development of new compounds and the physico-chemical characterization of transmembrane ion transport by organic carriers.

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News

All news of the EMNS Lab

New publication in Langmuir

October 14, 2026

We were pleased to host Amina from the Ruđer Bošković Institute of Zagreb in our laboratory last summer. The research work on micelles carried out during her stay has just been published.

Cellular Membrane-Targeted Europium(III) Probe for Selective and Time-Resolved Detection of Peroxynitrite

October 14, 2026

A new paper on the collaborative work with Steve Butler's lab has been published in Chemistry – A European Journal.

Cellular Membrane-Targeted Europium(III) Probe for Selective and Time-Resolved Detection of Peroxynitrite

August 12, 2026

A new paper on the collaborative work with Steve Butler's lab has been published in Chemistry – A European Journal.

Kristin Bartik has been awarded the 2026 Socrate Prize

June 19, 2026

This distinction is particularly meaningful as it is organised by students, who nominate a lecturer in recognition of outstanding teaching and pedagogical excellence.

Color-tunable luminescent TbxEuy(BDC) complexes assembled within liposome-based nanoreactors

June 12, 2026

This new publication highlight the development of liposome nanoreactors that assemble multimetallic lanthanide complexes inside attoliter compartments. Real-time photoluminescence monitoring reveals distinct Tb3+ and Eu3+ emission behavior, while ligand engineering enables RGB color tuning, providing a platform for studying coordination chemistry and designing luminescent nanomaterials in aqueous environments.