Maarten Merkx

Dr. Maarten Merkx


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

22Years (2005-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 December 2017 in Biochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MRMartijn van Rosmalen
Martijn van Rosmalen
MKMike Krom
Mike Krom
MMMaarten Merkx
Maarten Merkx
Flexible polypeptide linkers composed of glycine and serine are important components of engineered multidomain proteins. We have previously shown that the conformational properties of Gly-Gly-Ser repeat linkers can be quantitatively understood by comparing experimentally determined Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiencies of ECFP-linker-EYFP proteins to theoretical FRET efficiencies calculated using wormlike chain and Gaussian chain models. Here we extend this analysis to include linkers with different glycine contents. We determined the FRET efficiencies of ECFP-linker-EYFP proteins with linkers ranging in length from 25 to 73 amino acids and with glycine contents of 33.3% (GSSGSS), 16.7% (GSSSSSS), and 0% (SSSSSSS). The FRET efficiency decreased with an increasing linker length and was overall lower for linkers with less glycine. Modeling the linkers using the WLC model revealed that the experimentally observed FRET efficiencies were consistent with persistence lengths of 4.5, 4.8, and 6.2 Å for the GSSGSS, GSSSSS, and SSSSSS linkers, respectively. The observed increase in linker stiffness with reduced glycine content is much less pronounced than that predicted by a classical model developed by Flory and co-workers. We discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy as well as implications for using the stiffer linkers to control the effective concentrations of connected domains in engineered multidomain proteins.

1 June 2004 in International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ESElison N.M Simon
Elison N.M Simon
MMMatthias A.W Merkx
Matthias A.W Merkx
EVEdda Vuhahula
Edda Vuhahula
DNDavid Ngassapa
David Ngassapa
PSPaul J.W Stoelinga
Paul J.W Stoelinga

1 March 2002 in International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JKJohannes H.A.M Kaanders
Johannes H.A.M Kaanders
LPLucas A.M Pop
Lucas A.M Pop
HMHenri A.M Marres
Henri A.M Marres
IBIngolv Bruaset
Ingolv Bruaset
FHFranciscus J.A van Den Hoogen
Franciscus J.A van Den Hoogen
AKAlbert J van der Kogel
Albert J van der Kogel

1 August 2013 in Oral Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
TGTim M. Govers
Tim M. Govers
GHGerjon Hannink
Gerjon Hannink
MMMatthias A.W. Merkx
Matthias A.W. Merkx
RTRobert P. Takes
Robert P. Takes
MRMaroeska M. Rovers
Maroeska M. Rovers

25 February 2020 in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
HSHenrieke W. Schutte
Henrieke W. Schutte
FHFloris Heutink
Floris Heutink
DWDavid J. Wellenstein
David J. Wellenstein
GBGuido B. van Den Broek
Guido B. van Den Broek
FHFrank J. A. van Den Hoogen
Frank J. A. van Den Hoogen
RTRobert P. Takes
Robert P. Takes

1 April 2010 in International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RWRaymond Chung Wen Wong
Raymond Chung Wen Wong
HTH. Tideman
H. Tideman
LKL. Kin
L. Kin
MMM.A.W. Merkx
M.A.W. Merkx