I am an innovative biophysicist and biochemist passionate about understanding and engineering ion channels, membrane proteins, and cellular communication mechanisms. Over the years, my research has evolved from mechanistic studies of ion channels and biohybrid systems to liquid biopsy innovations, bioelectrical signaling, and disease biomarker discovery.

With a growing patent portfolio, multiple ERC & NWO grants, and leadership in high-impact research, I bridge fundamental biophysics with real-world applications in cancer biology, neuroscience, and drug target discovery. My work spans from synthetic biology strategies for biomolecule labeling to novel, functional detection and testing of druggable protein markers of diseased cells from their extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsiesβ€”paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

Research Focus Areas:

πŸ”¬ Liquid Biopsy & Biomarkers/drug target identification – Early disease detection & monitoring through extracellular vesicles (protein-based)

🧬 Synthetic Biology Tools – Unbiased biomolecule labeling for tracking cellular communication

⚑ Electrophysiology & Bioelectric Signaling – Understanding tumor, immune, and neuronal communication

πŸ’Š Membrane Protein-Based Drug Screening – liquid biopsy-based functional assays

Expertise

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

    • Conductance
    • Membrane
    • Membrane Protein
    • Protein
    • Tension
    • Surface Property
    • Mechanosensitive Ion Channel
  • Chemistry

    • Molecule

Organisations

Ancillary activities

  • KNAW- NINAdvisory
  • UTCWI committee member

Research Focus Areas:

πŸ”¬ Liquid Biopsy & Biomarkers/drug target identification – Early disease detection & monitoring through extracellular vesicles (protein-based)

🧬 Synthetic Biology Tools – Unbiased biomolecule labeling for tracking cellular communication

⚑ Electrophysiology & Bioelectric Signaling – Understanding tumor, immune, and neuronal communication

πŸ’Š Membrane Protein-Based Drug Screening – liquid biopsy-based functional assays

Publications

2021

Specific labeling, isolation and visualization of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles via engineered synthetic epitopes (2021)[Contribution to conference › Poster] 4th Annual Meeting of the Netherlands Society for Extracellular Vesicles, NLSEV 2021. Enciso Martinez, A., de Jong, E. & Kocer, A.Specific labeling, isolation and visualization of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles via engineered synthetic epitopes (2021)[Contribution to conference › Poster] Annual Dutch Meeting on Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, Dutch Biophysics 2021. Enciso Martinez, A., de Jong, E. & Kocer, A.

Research profiles

Address

University of Twente

Carré (building no. 15), room C4431
Hallenweg 23
7522 NH Enschede
Netherlands

Navigate to location

Organisations

Scan the QR code or
Download vCard