MSc Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology
🇧🇪 Antwerp, Belgium · 🇳🇱 Leiden, Netherlands · 🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark
My name is Thomas Schrauwen, I have four years of industry experience in stem cell biology, molecular engineering, and computational biology. In 2024, I started a MSc in Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology in combination with my full-time job in the cultivated meat sector. Currently, I am applying generative AI for de novo nanobody design against migraine-associated GPCRs at DTU Denmark, combining deep wet-lab expertise with data-driven approaches to therapeutic discovery.
| 🧬 Experimental | 💻 Computational |
|---|---|
| Stem cell biology (iPSCs, EpiSCs) | Generative AI for protein & antibody design |
| CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing | scRNA-seq analysis |
| High-throughput cell-based assays | Protein-ligand docking |
| Bioreactor culture systems | Machine learning in biology |
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 – Present | MSc Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology | Leiden University, Netherlands |
| 2017 – 2021 | BSc Chemistry, specialisation in Biochemistry | Artesis Plantijn University of Applied Sciences, Belgium |
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) · Dept. of Bioengineering · Mar 2026 – Present · Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Supervised by Dr. Timothy Jenkins
- Designing de novo nanobodies against migraine-associated GPCRs using generative AI, integrating protein language models and structure-based deep learning for candidate generation and in silico and in vitro evaluation.
Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), Leiden University · Jan 2025 – Jul 2025 · Leiden, Netherlands
Supervised by Prof. Marcel Schaaf and Dr. Bastienne Vriesendorp · 8.5/10
- Performed scRNA-seq analysis in R (Seurat, Bioconductor) to characterise glucocorticoid-induced transcriptional responses in zebrafish.
- Conducted protein-ligand docking on an HPC cluster (Linux, Slurm, Conda) to predict novel glucocorticoid receptor-binding candidates.
Meatable · Mar 2023 – Nov 2025 · Leiden, Netherlands
- Cultured porcine and bovine cell lines — primary cells, iPSCs, and EpiSCs — across 2D and 3D suspension formats (shaker flasks, 96-well plates, Ambr250 bioreactors).
- Executed RNA- and DNA-based reprogramming experiments, characterising newly derived lines from induction to stable establishment using molecular and imaging assays.
- Designed plasmid constructs in SnapGene and Benchling for cloning workflows.
- Led a project establishing a high-throughput screening workflow for 3D stem cell aggregates in suspension, achieving 20× greater throughput for media development and cell line adaptation.
Cell Culture Technician · Mar 2022 – Mar 2023
Centre for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp · Feb 2021 – May 2021 · Antwerp, Belgium
- Contributed to optimising a CRISPR/Cas9 workflow for introducing pathogenic Brugada Syndrome mutations into hiPSCs.
- Screened gRNA candidates via nucleofection to identify optimal InDel-forming sequences, confirmed by Sanger sequencing and gel electrophoresis.
- Techniques: gRNA design, nucleofection, PCR, Sanger sequencing, gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA isolation, mycoplasma detection.
| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| HPC & Environment | Linux · Bash · Slurm · Conda |
| Bioinformatics | Seurat · Monocle3 · SurfDock · Ensembl · Jupyter Notebook/Lab |
| Protein Design | Germinal · Alphafold |
| Lab Informatics | SnapGene · Benchling · CellProfiler · FlowLogic · Spotfire · eLabJournal |
| CRISPR Design | CRISPOR · CHOPCHOP |
| Chemistry | ChemSketch |
| Category | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Cell Biology | Adherent & suspension stem cell culture, iPSC/EpiSC handling, colony picking (manual & automated), Ambr250 bioreactor operation |
| Molecular Biology | Transfection, nucleofection, qPCR, PCR, Sanger sequencing, Gibson Assembly, plasmid design, DNA/RNA isolation |
| Analytics | Gel & capillary electrophoresis, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, fluorescent/luminescent assays |
| Instrumentation | GC, HPLC, AAS, AES, spectrophotometry, 2D/3D cell imaging |
| Chromatography | Size-exclusion, hydrophobic interaction, ion-exchange |
| Computational | scRNA-seq analysis, protein-ligand docking, Protein Design, HPC cluster usage |
Dutch — Native English — Fluent French — Intermediate



