# The XStruct Group - Ghent University

> Department of Chemistry, Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
> Group Leader & Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. Kristof Van Hecke
> Location: Krijgslaan 289 – building S3 (Campus Sterre), B-9000 Gent, Belgium
> Email: Kristof.VanHecke@UGent.be | Telephone: +32 9 264 48 70
> Platform Affiliation: UGent Advanced Chemical Analysis expertise platform

## Overview
The XStruct research group at Ghent University focuses on X-ray structures in general and Bio-Inorganic Chemistry in specific.

Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) or crystallography is by far the most accurate way to obtain 3D structures of molecules at the atomic level. We use this technique to determine the molecular structures of several compounds, ranging from small (in)organic molecules, ionic liquids (IL's), metal-organic complexes and frameworks (MOF’s), bio-inorganic materials to modified DNA oligonucleotides and peptides.

The XStruct research group is part of the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry at Ghent University and belongs to the UGent Advanced Chemical Analysis expertise platform.

## Core Research Focus
In bio-inorganic chemistry, the interactions between biological material (e.g. DNA) and inorganic molecules/atoms (e.g. lanthanides complexes, Hg ions) are studied. High-resolution structural information is needed, to elucidate the structure-function relationship of these molecules.

In particular, our research interest considers:
- Interactions of inorganic metal- and lanthanide-containing compounds with biological material in order to design novel sensors for bio-imaging and novel drug molecules for antitumor and anticancer photodynamic therapies.
- Chiral and helical self-assemblies of metal complexes.
- DNA mismatches as targets for metal-ions and their assessment in crystallographic phasing.
- Charge density analysis for validation of theoretical analyses in amino acid single crystals.

## State-of-the-Art Instrumentation & Facilities
- In-house state-of-the-art diffractometer: Agilent SuperNova with dual microfocus X-ray sources (Mo and Cu) and cryogenic cooling systems.
- Regular access to international synchrotron beamlines for high-intensity, micro-focus X-ray radiation on challenging microcrystals and macromolecular assemblies.
- Crystallographic services and industrial collaborations through the UGent Advanced Chemical Analysis platform.

## Principal Investigator
- **Name**: Prof. dr. Kristof Van Hecke
- **Role**: Principal Investigator & Group Leader, Associate Professor
- **Affiliation**: Department of Chemistry, Ghent University
- **Email**: Kristof.VanHecke@UGent.be
- **LinkedIn**: https://be.linkedin.com/in/kristof-van-hecke-1832276
- **Address**: Krijgslaan 289 – building S3, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

## Active Team Structure
- **Academic Staff**: Prof. dr. Kristof Van Hecke (Group Leader)
- **Post-doc Researchers**:
  - Dr. Javed Pathan (Bio-inorganic chemistry, transition metal complexes, crystal engineering)
- **PhD Researchers**:
  - Paola La Magna (Hybrid layered perovskites, structural phase transitions, single-crystal XRD)
  - Stijn Germonpré (Metal-organic framework nano-hybrids, artificial enzymes for proteomics)
  - Wannes De Turck (Crystallographic structure determination, coordination architectures, bio-inorganic chemistry)
- **PhD Researchers (als Co-Promotor)**:
  - Ediz Garib (Hybrid layered perovskites; Promotor: Prof. dr. Wouter Van Gompel, UHasselt; Co-promotor: Prof. dr. Kristof Van Hecke)
  - Ihar Mikhnavets (Homogeneous catalysts, organometallics; Promotor: Prof. dr. Catherine Cazin, UGent; Co-promotor: Prof. dr. Kristof Van Hecke)

## Administrative Contacts & Secretaries
- Kathleen Degroote: +32 9 264 44 21
- Pierre Vanbocxstaele: +32 9 264 44 46

## Key Pages & Navigation
- [Home](https://xstruct.ugent.be/): Group overview, principal investigator profile, and research highlights.
- [Research Topics](https://xstruct.ugent.be/research): Single crystal XRD, bio-inorganic chemistry, DNA mismatches, and instrumentation.
- [Crystallography Service](https://xstruct.ugent.be/service): Full crystallization and single-crystal structure determination service (3D structure and absolute configuration of novel small molecules) towards UGhent researchers, other universities, and industrial partners. Contact: Prof. K. Van Hecke.
- [Publications](https://xstruct.ugent.be/publications): Peer-reviewed crystallographic and chemical articles.
- [Team Members](https://xstruct.ugent.be/members): Academic staff, postdocs, PhD students, co-promoter researchers, and alumni.
- [Career Opportunities](https://xstruct.ugent.be/opportunities): Master thesis topics, PhD positions, and postdoc inquiries.
- [Contact](https://xstruct.ugent.be/contact): Location at Campus Sterre Building S3, telephone, and map.