Dr. Fokko Smakman
Trainee patent attorney
Trainee patent attorney
Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Plant breeding
Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular biology, Plant breeding
Fokko is a patent attorney in training and has been working at Arnold & Siedsma since 2022. With his background in life sciences and microbiology, he advises clients in these sectors regarding intellectual property.
Fokko studied biology in Leiden, after which he did his PhD in microbiology at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. This provided him with valuable knowledge in biotechnological and molecular techniques. His years abroad also gave him an international orientation. His business support and interest in developing and protecting intellectual property cover a wide variety of fields, including plant breeding and biomedical inventions.
His scientific background and experience in both applied and fundamental science allows Fokko to quickly gain a thorough in- and oversight in diverse fields. He enjoys discussing this and thinking along with clients on both a substantive and a strategic level, and with clients of any size. His aim is to help clients as much as he can in both identifying and protecting their intellectual property.
Quick-witted, enthusiastic, analytical and goal-oriented
“Fokko is a terrific team player in the lab, generous with
his time and eager to discuss his results and the work of labmates. I have no doubt that he
would fit in well and enliven any professional environment.” – Msc final project supervisor
2016 Full-time Student Assistant, Leiden University
2012 – 2016 Tutor Biology, Chemistry and English, StudensPlus
2016 – 2021 Phd microbiology, ETH Zurich
2013 – 2015 MSc Microbial Biotechnology and Health, Leiden University
2010 – 2013 Bsc Biology, Leiden University
Dutch, English
Smakman, F., & Hall, A. R. (2022). Exposure to lysed bacteria can promote or inhibit growth of neighboring live bacteria depending on local abiotic conditions. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 98(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiac011
Abrudan, M. I.*, Smakman, F.*, et al (2015). Socially mediated induction and suppression of antibiosis during bacterial coexistence. PNAS 112(35), 201504076. doi:10.1073/pnas.1504076112 (Joint first author)
