Meet Jelle De Vos

Jelle develops chromatography-based methods for analyzing complex biopharmaceutical modalities, including therapeutic proteins, conjugates, and mRNA therapeutics. His work uses new column technologies, multidimensional workflows, advanced detection methods, and miniaturization to extend the capabilities of separation science.

Recently, Jelle has helped develop high-performance affinity chromatography columns and integrate them into multidimensional workflows with mass spectrometry detection, enabling detailed investigation of the structure and function of monoclonal antibodies. “It is still early days, but this technology has the potential to fundamentally change the characterization of drug candidates in discovery and early-stage development,” he says. His research also addresses antibody-drug and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, as well as RNA- and DNA-based therapeutics and their delivery vehicles.

Jelle expects increasingly customizable columns, new fabrication techniques, and online integration to reshape chromatography. “This will be an exciting future direction of the field: tailored chromatography-based workflows specific to the problem at hand, especially for solving questions arising in life sciences,” he says. However, he is concerned that greater automation could weaken practical expertise. “I worry that the chromatographer of the future may become more efficient at generating data while losing their critical judgment and becoming less experienced.” He therefore sees hands-on education and effective knowledge transfer as priorities for the field.

Jelle credits collaborations with Pat and Koen Sandra, Sebastiaan Eeltink, Gert Desmet, Alois Jungbauer, and their teams with shaping his view of science. Outside the lab, he draws inspiration from the Maker community, “where out-of-the-box thinking and combining different skill sets are required to build unique projects and solve challenging problems.” Since becoming a parent, he has also become an advocate for fostering these abilities in children: “I believe STEAM affinity can spark a better future.”